Page 69 of Love to Hate You

“Your body is perfect.”

“Yeah, easy to say now.”

“Now, next year, ten years from now.” He slides his hand up, covering my breast, and my breath catches. “I love you, Charlie. It doesn’t matter if your physical appearance changes.” After a light squeeze, his fingers trail up and press against my heart. “Because what’s in here is what I love most.”

“Sweet-talker,” I murmur.

“It’s the truth.”

I nestle deeper into Nash’s embrace and let my eyes slide shut. Never in my life have I been so content or have I ever felt this well-loved. “Thank you,” I murmur as sleep starts to pull me down into its depths.

“For what?” Nash asks softly.

“For loving me for me.”

“Always,” he whispers and presses a kiss to my head.

23

NASH

When Charlie said everything was about to change, she couldn’t have been more right. But every new thing we’ve encountered has been an adventure and I’ve enjoyed it. These past few weeks have been insane. Not only did I move Charlie into my apartment, but also, we made a few very big announcements: we’re engaged, expecting a baby and taking over the Presidency at TB Tech together.

I think everyone was shocked for a moment, but they’ve all come together and have shown nothing but their complete support. My siblings are even throwing us an engagement party tonight over at Tanner’s loft.

I think the best thing has been the everyday, normal stuff. Like last night, we curled up on the couch, made popcorn and watched “Die Hard.” Even though I’ve seen it 100 times or more, Charlie hasn’t and watching her experience it for the first time was so much fun for me. Sharing moments like that with each other fills my heart and I want to spend the rest of my life enjoying the little things.

After all, in the end, isn’t it the little things that are really the big things?

Leaning a shoulder against the doorway to the bathroom, I watch as Charlie finishes getting ready for the party tonight. Stunning doesn’t even begin to describe her. Even though she’s not showing yet, pregnancy has given her this vibrant glow that steals my breath away every single time I look at her.

“What?” she asks, meeting my gaze in the mirror’s reflection.

I repeat my thoughts. “You take my breath away.”

Charlie turns around and gives me a dazzling smile. “Oh, really?”

I push off the door jamb and walk over, pulling her into my arms. “I’m tempted to blow this party off and stay here and make love to you all night.”

“We can’t!” she exclaims. “Your brothers and sister put all of this together for us. Plus, Alex and Jackie are going to be there.”

I introduced Charlie to my best friend a couple of weeks ago. He was shocked when he realized she was the same Charlie who I used to despise when I worked with my dad, but now he’s Team Charlie. He loves her and I love it that Jackie no longer brings Lori around. They both adore Charlie, and we make sure to get together as much as possible.

I never in a million years thought I’d be the type to go out on a double-date and yet here I am meeting my BFF and our girlfriends and doing “couple” things. And I’ve enjoyed it immensely.

“Fine,” I relent with a sigh of regret. “I guess it would be incredibly rude to bail since we’re the guests of honor.” I drag the tip of my nose against hers and then dip my mouth and capture her lips in a long, slow kiss.

When we finally come up for air, Charlie takes an unsteady step backwards. “Let’s go before I change my mind,” she whispers, voice husky.

A half an hour later, we step into Tanner’s loft and it’s clear my sister was in charge of the decorating. The place is full of silver and white balloons, a huge banner that reads “Congratulations Nash & Charlie” and other kitschy decorations like cardboard hearts everywhere I look. It’s a little much but sweet that she went overboard.

Sierra runs over and hugs us both. “How do you like the decorations?”

“They’re great!” Charlie gushes.

I smirk. “I had a feeling you were in charge of those.”

Sierra punches me in the arm then turns her attention back to Charlie. “Are you sure that you want to marry him?”

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