Page 43 of Unexpected Forever
He raises a brow. “We’re a little more than that now, don’t you think? Besides, living together would give us more opportunities to get friendly with one another.”
“We could do that without living together.”
He drops his hands to his hips, jaw tight. “What’s the real problem here? So far, we seem to get along. You need a place to stay, and I’ll have a place you can stay, rent free.”
I hold up a finger. “No way. I’m not going to live there for free.”
He throws up a hand. “Fine, you can pay rent. I’ll even have my lawyer draw up papers. Would that suit you?”
I tilt my head with a smirk. “What makes you think you’ll find a place so fast?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I mentioned to Megan a few weeks ago that I might spend some time here this summer, and she gave me Addison’s number. Addison sent some listings to my assistant last week. I’ve narrowed it down to two.”
My belly flutters and I tap a finger against my throat. “Oh. Well. I didn’t know that. I guess you are working on it.”
He moves closer to me, making my pulse scramble, and slides his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. “I planned to call you once I knew. I hadn’t made any decisions yet. At least, not until now.”
His T-shirt stretches across his pec muscles and I lose track of what we’re talking about for a moment. He sighs and gives me a smile.
“What do you say, Charley? We’re having a baby together. The least we can be is friends. Get to know each other.”
I didn’t want to tell him that in our one night together, I’d managed to do more than get pregnant. I have the feeling if I get too close to Nate, I’m going to get burned.
Regardless of the tiny human growing inside me.
“If you don’t move in with me, where are you going to live while they fix your place?”
I rub my forehead, not ready to deal with moving. Hell, I’ve just barely finished processing that I’m pregnant. “I don’t know. I mean, I just found out I can’t live here. I’ll probably end up with one of my sisters.”
My nose wrinkles, thinking there’s no way I can live with Amelia. Her kitchen is pristine and she’s always put together, but her one-bedroom apartment is a hot mess.
“Well, I want to know you and my baby are safe, Charley.”
I can’t help the shiver running over me when my gaze meets his. The protective gleam in his eye is hot as hell.
“Nate,” I sigh, “I know what you’re saying. And it makes sense on some level. But I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
He looks at the floor and blows out a breath. “You’re probably right. It’s already a complicated situation; living together might make it worse.”
“Exactly. Glad we’re on the same page.”
Why don’t I feel better that he agrees with me?
“I still plan on staying in town though, so the door is always open for you, Charley. That’s not going to change.” He glances around. “Where are you staying tonight?”
I shrug, trying to calm the nerves twisting my gut. “I don’t know. Maybe Grace will let me crash on her sofa.”
Nate raises a brow. “You sure? Have you told anyone else about the baby yet?”
“No.”
The more I think about it, the less staying with any family seems ideal. It’s bad enough all my brothers know and I haven’t told Mom yet.
He runs a hand through his hair. “Look, I know this isn’t ideal, given what we just discussed, but you could stay with me in my suite at the Gold Mountain Inn tonight. Then you can figure out your next move tomorrow.”
“Uh, no way. There’s only one bed in those suites. Remember?”
Our eyes meet and memories of our night together hang in the air between us.
