Page 6 of Line Change

“You’re sleeping in my bed. I’m taking the couch. Tomorrow, I’m ordering a bed for the guest room and whatever else you think I should get.” She opens her mouth, likely to protest, but I keep talking. “For the next time I have guests,” I amend, even though I’m hoping she agrees to stay longer.

She finishes drying her hands on the towel before setting it down and crossing her arms. “And I said I’m not letting you sleep on the couch. You’d never be comfortable.”

“How do you know it doesn’t have a pullout bed?”

“You’d have offered it to me, and you wouldn’t need to buy a bed for the guest room.”

I tilt my head, studying her. “Why are you being so stubborn?”

She lets her arms fall to her sides. “I’m not being stubborn. I just don’t think this”—she gestures between us—“is such a good idea.”

I crinkle my forehead. “Why not?”

“Because I’m pregnant.”

“So?”

She fiddles with one of her rings, and I zero in on it. I’ve noticed she does that when she’s nervous or anxious. I hate that she feels that way around me.

“I’m going to eventually be very hormonal. Actually, I’d say I already am. Plus, I’ll cramp your style.”

I purse my lips. “And what style exactly do you think you’ll cramp?”

She waves a hand around. “I’m not stupid. You’re single, good looking. I’m sure you bring women back here, or men, or both. Whatever. I’m not judging. I’m just saying …”

I shake my head. “Sutton, you’re not going to cramp my style. I don’t have anyone over except the guys and their significant others.” I shrug. “I’m offering my place as somewhere for you to stay for as long as you need. Plus, I’ll be gone a lot, which you know, so you’ll have the condo to yourself quite a bit. The cleaning company comes once a week. I can even give my chef a call and ask her to make meals for you so you won’t have to cook.”

“I …”

“I have two younger sisters. You being hormonal doesn’t bother me. Why would it? You’re growing a human. Of course that’s going to be rough on you.”

“Sebastian—”

“Do you want to talk to one of them?” I pull out my phone, doing the math to figure out what time it is at home. It’s late, after one in the morning there. “On second thought, they’re probably both asleep. I’ll call them tomorrow if you want.”

She steps closer to me, putting her hand on my arm, and where she’s touching me feels as if it’s on fire. “I appreciate it, but I need to do this on my own.”

“Why?” My voice is barely above a whisper. “Why do you have to do this alone? Why won’t you let me help you?”

She searches my face. I’m not sure what for, but eventually she sighs. “How about we see how a few nights go first. You might be sick of me and or the cats by then. Plus, my landlord is trying to find me temporary housing. He could call tomorrow with a place.”

I don’t like her answer, but I’ll take what I can get. “We can see how it goes and decide if we need to reassess.” We won’t. I mean, unless she really doesn’t want to stay with me because I’d never force her to, but I know I won’t want her to leave. But I’ll go along with whatever she wants, even if it means talking about it again in a few days. Although, again, I won’t change my mind.

She nods, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“I’m gonna take a shower, then the bedroom is all yours.” I hook a thumb over my shoulder. “Make yourself at home. I’ve got pretty much every streaming service you can imagine.”

“Thanks,” she mumbles.

I walk into my room, closing the door behind me, and make quick work of taking a shower. My cleaners were here this morning, so I know the sheets are fresh and the bathroom is clean.

Done in the shower, I get dressed quickly before grabbing what I’ll need for the night. I walk out to the living room where I find Sutton curled up on one end of the couch watching some sort of reality show. I dump my pillow and phone charger on the empty side of the couch and take my toothbrush and toothpaste into the guest bathroom.

“What are we watching?” I ask, taking a seat next to her. Should I move my stuff and put more room between us? Probably, but I don’t. I’ll take any opportunity to be as close to her as I possibly can.

“A reality show about charter cruises in the Med. I just started the first episode, and it’s already a train wreck, but I can’t stop watching.” She pauses the show, peeking over at me as she shifts, causing her thigh to brush against mine. “Do you want me to restart it?”

“Nah, it’s fine,” I tell her, too focused on where her skin is touching mine.