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No, it’s all perfect. Thank you.
Gus-Gus
Good. I don’t want to smother you, Lo. But I want to take care of you. It’s important to me, and I like doing it. Okay?
Loren
Okay.
Gus-Gus
I’d Facetime you if I weren’t in public right now, just so you could see how big my smile is after that “okay.”
He thinkshissmile is telling right now? Thank goodness he can’t see my face. I laugh as I wipe my nose on the back of my sleeve.
Gus-Gus
Anyway, I think you should take that book from your nightstand and introduce it to your new soaking tub until I get back.
Text me if the mood strikes and you feel like sending me a sexy bath selfie.
But only of your face, bc we can’t break the nudity clause already. ;)
“Ugh. Why me?” I stomp my way over to grab my tablet and a change of clothes before I run myself a bubble bath, pouting and sniffling the whole time. If I thought being friends with Blake and fake dating him were dangerous, what the hell am I supposed to do now?
I take in a deep breath as I collect my thoughts. Maybe I just need to relax with a good book to clear my head. Reading has always been my escape, especially when I was younger. Immersing myself within another world was the only way I could avoid dwelling on the boredom and loneliness I felt in real life, and I still find it easier to connect with imaginary characters than actual people most of the time. Not to mention, bookish communities have the best social media content, hands down.
I stop to check out my growing bump in the mirror after getting undressed. It never ceases to amaze me. Then I pick up my tablet and settle into a warm bath before queuing up a cute new rom-com. Although I’m never going to stop rereadingPride and Prejudice, and I’m admittedly a sucker for a well-developed fantasy series, there are days when I don’t have the energy to read anything complicated. Give me all the well-written easy and cheesy—I can appreciate the classics while still enjoying a lighthearted romantic comedy with a guaranteed HEA, especially when life makes none of the same promises.
I sigh as I sink into the water and flip the first page. Before I know it, I’m a third of the way through my book and my bathwater has gotten cold. I reluctantly step out of the tub and put on a pair of comfy leggings and an oversized T-shirt with one of my favorite book quotes. I settle in a cozy spot in the corner of the sectional in the living room, and Blake opens the door a few minutes later.
“Honey, I’m home,” he calls out.
“Hi.” I smile as he drops his briefcase before plopping down beside me with a groan.
“Rough day?” I ask hesitantly, setting my book down on the coffee table.
He only grunts in response, his eyes already closed as his head lolls back.
“Is everything okay?”
He wipes his hand over his unshaven face, and I take a second just to appreciate him. His hair is a little longer than usual, and his shirt sleeves are rolled up over his forearms. I continue staring as he removes his tie and undoes the top buttons of his shirt, but I have to avert my eyes before I end up asking him to keep it going.
Gah. He’s so hot.
STFU, pregnancy hormones.
And I’ve suddenly forgotten all of my reasons for avoiding an actual romantic relationship with Blake. My subconscious isn’t making it any easier to stick to the ground rules, either. At this rate, I’m not sure how much longer I can resist crawling into his lap and asking him if he’d mind letting me stay there forever.
“Yeah, I’m good, just glad to be home,” he says after a while, turning to shoot me an exhausted smile. “How are you feeling?”
I blink a few times to keep my eyes from wandering down to check out the bit of his chest he’s exposed. “Like I’m in love … with your bathtub.”
He laughs lightly then cringes as he rubs one side of his neck.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“My neck’s just a little stiff, probably from the hospital couch. I’m sure it’ll be better by tomorrow.” But he continues to turn his head as if it’s causing him more pain than he’s letting on.
