Page 9 of Choose Me

“Oh God, do you hear yourself talk sometimes?” I exclaimed in disbelief.

“I know you’re thinking, how could a guy like me be single, right?” A playful glint lit up his face.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I am thinking.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at his outrageousness.

“Lighten up little fox. You know I am just messing with you. I like seeing you laugh.” His voice softened as he spoke, and he shrugged with dramatic indifference.

But I couldn’t help but notice how his eyes stared at me longingly, and I wasn’t sure why, but that look stayed with me. As I put the bacon in the pan, I couldn't help but feel a sudden wave of heat wash over me. It wasn't just the heat from the stove either. It was Everett's presence--the way he leaned against the counter, his muscles bulging under his shirt, and the way he looked at me with those piercing caramel-brown eyes. I tried my best to ignore the feeling, chalking it up to pregnancy hormones, but I couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

What the hell is wrong with me? Everett is literally one of my only friends, and I love James.

I finished making us both a sandwich and all but ran to our bedroom to escape whatever hormonal imbalance that was making me want to crawl onto every man in my life right now. I closed the door and got into the bed, snuggling in the pillows and inhaling my sandwich. When I was done, I checked my phone and text messages. James had sent a message five minutes ago.

JAMES

Just finished up, heading home. Are you ok?

AVA

I am fine. How was your meeting? Is everything ok?

JAMES

Yeah, baby. I’ll tell you about it in a few. I am on my way home. I love you.

AVA

I love you, too.

I closed my messages and headed into the living room to wait for James to arrive home. I grabbed a book from the bookshelf and curled up on the chaise, clutching a thick grey throw blanket to my chest, anxiously waiting. I had this sinking pit in my stomach, thinking about his text message. I tried to distract myself from the possibility of bad news by losing myself in my book, but my mind kept wandering. What could James want to talk about that couldn’t be discussed over text or phone? The very thought of bad news with everything else going on made my heart race and my palms sweat.

I must have been lost in thought for a while because the next thing I knew, James was standing before me, looking tired and pensive, and his usually cheerful demeanor was replaced with a look of seriousness, which only added to my apprehension.

“Hey,” he whispered, settling beside me on the chaise.

“Hey,” I replied, barely a sound coming out of my mouth as I set my book aside and sat upright.

James sat beside me and took a deep breath, looking straight into my eyes. My stomach dropped even further as I braced myself for the worst.

“I have something to tell you.” His voice was low and deep as he reached for my hands, squeezing them tightly within his own.

“Okay,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, feeling like every breath that escaped my lips was strained and forced.

“I am being sent to Miami to assist in a case and leave tomorrow morning.”

“How long?” I asked hesitantly, scared of what his answer would be.

“I don’t know. Until the case is closed.”

“Wait, what? What does that mean? You were in Oregon, working my case for months. Are you saying you could be in Miami for months?”

“I hope not. But it’s always a possibility.” My heart stopped as I processed his words slowly, trying to grasp anything tangible in this conversation.

“But what about the gender appointment next week and the baby? Eventually, the baby is going to be born, James.”

“I know, and I am going to do everything I can to be home as soon as possible. And I don’t care if I have to take a red eye or drive. I will be here for the birth of our baby. I will not miss it. I will be here for you.” He sighed and tightened his hold on my hands until it was almost painful.

I ripped my hands away from his. “You promised you would be here for me during this pregnancy!” I hissed.

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