Page 39 of Unexpected Forever
nate
Me: Good morning. Are you still speaking to me?
Charley: …
Charley: Of course, Nate.
Me: Well, I wouldn’t blame you if you weren’t. I shouldn’t have left. I feel like shit about it.
Charley: You needed time to process. I get it.
Me: Yeah, but I should have stayed with you. Instead I ran like a fucking coward. I’m sorry.
Charley: Don’t beat yourself up, Nate.
Me: Can I come over? We have things to talk about.
Charley: Yes. You’re right. We have a lot to figure out.
Me: I’ll be there in fifteen.
Charley: See you soon.
A senseof déjà vu runs through me as I stand on Charley’s porch, but before I can ring the doorbell, she opens the door.
And my heart drops to the floor.
She’s pale and her hair is a disheveled mess. A weak smile touches her lips. “Hey.”
I don’t wait for her to invite me in. Crossing the threshold, I pick her up in a bridal hold, carrying her to the couch. “You should be lying down.”
“I don’t need to lie down. I need to get dressed.”
Stopping, I gaze down to see she’s hardly wearing anything. The white T-shirt is hanging off one shoulder, giving me a glimpse of the soft curve of her tits.
And does she call those tiny excuse for shorts actual clothing?
As I hold her, all I can feel is the soft skin of her legs. My fingertips tingle with the need to touch her. My gaze travels up to her lips, where her breath hitches slightly when I let one finger run along her thigh.
Get your head out of the gutter, Gentry. You’re here to talk baby stuff.
I clear my throat and shift my stare to her shorts, but judging by the tightening of my crotch, I’m not sure that’s any better. “Why the hell did you answer the door wearing that?”
Those blue eyes roll at me. “Honestly? I just threw up and was rinsing my mouth out when I heard you pull up. I didn’t even think about what I was wearing.”
“What if I’d been a random stranger?”
“I looked out the window and saw it was you!” She tosses a hand in the air with a huff. “Could you please put me down? I’m fine.”
“You look anything but fine, babe.”
“I swear, I’m fine. It’s just part of this whole deal.” She gestures to her stomach.
We stare each other down for a few moments until I reluctantly set her on her feet.
“Thank you. Give me a few minutes to get dressed and then we can talk. Help yourself to coffee.”
I sit on the sofa, and a few moments later, she reappears, dressed for work in high-waisted black slacks and a green sleeveless top. Her hair is pulled into a tight ponytail high on her head.
