AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Gas and indigestion at this stage of pregnancy is perfectly normal,” I tell her. “There are a lot of changes going on in your body.”
Sophie’s eyes narrow at me, while she continues to chomp down on her pickle.
“I know! They’re happening to me.”
She’s cute when she’s pretending to be annoyed with me.
“You need to stop reading that book,” she says.
“No chance. Besides, I need to be an informed partner.”
She shakes her head and grabs another handful of popcorn before leaving the kitchen.
“So, we’ll talk about this later?” I call after her.
“We will never talk about it.”
“I didn’t mean the—”
“Don’t say it!”
While Sophie gets ready for her shift at The Penrose, all I can think about is how to show her what she means to me.
* * *
SOPHIE
After my shift at The Penrose, I’m exhausted. The tips I made tonight were good, but I’m realizing maybe Hunter is right. Working a second job on my feet, late at night is not what my body needs right now.
When I reach the bedroom, I find Hunter shirtless in bed, ourWhat to Expect When You’re Expectingbook split open across his chest. The bedside lamp casts a shadow on his muscular frame. He must have fallen asleep reading.
He obviously did not take my request for him to stop reading that book to heart. I realize now that it was silly of me to say that. Of course, I want a partner that is invested in what I’m going through, but I was embarrassed about farting in front of him and didn’t know what else to say. Hunter has seen and touched every inch of my body, but dealing with pregnancy hormones and the changes happening to my body makes me feel more vulnerable.
I quickly change and get ready for bed.
I do my best to quietly get under the covers, but Hunter wakes with my movement.
“Hey,” he says, moving to place the book on the bedside table. He’s groggy from sleep, but he reaches for me. “How was work?”
I think about telling him it was good, but I don’t have the energy to fake it.
“Really hard. I was so tired and bloated all night.”
“I’m sorry, baby.” He rubs my back and it feels so nice, my muscles immediately relax. “Can I hold you?”
“Yes, please.” I wiggle myself into the middle of the bed where Hunter wraps his arms around me. “But don’t squeeze me too tight,” I whisper on a yawn, referencing what happened earlier.
“Baby, if you need to pass gas, just let it go.”
“And fart on your balls?” Desperately tired, I’m delirious now. My embarrassment from earlier gone with every other care in the world.
He chuckles softly against my neck.
“If it makes you feel better, then yeah.”
“That’s so sweet,” I murmur, already half asleep. “Goodnight.”
I’m on the edge of sleep, about to be pulled under when the muffled sound of Hunter’s voice floats into my ear.
