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“You think we can risk a quick hug?” Hayden asks me as he stands outside the elevator. Conor and Shane have gone ahead and Liam and Mikey are in the kitchen clearing up, allowing the two of us to speak alone for the first time.
“I’ll hold my breath,” I say with a smile, doing exactly that as I embrace him quickly.
“Today has been amazing, Jessie,” he whispers in my ear. “I’m so glad I found you.”
I pull back from him. “Me too,” I say with a smile.
“I was feeling so lost since my mom died,” he says as a tear escapes and he quickly wipes it away. “I know you don’t really know me yet, but I hope that we can do lots more of this and maybe I can be a part of your life in some way.”
“Of course, Hayden. I would love that,” I admit.
“Can I see you again soon?”
“Sure. How about Saturday?” I offer.
“I have to work Saturday, sorry. How is Friday?”
Friday is date night, but I suppose I could see him in the afternoon? “Sure. We could have lunch?”
“Great. Where shall we meet?”
“Um.” I bite on my lip. The brothers won’t like me leaving the apartment without them and I’m not sure any of them have the time to take the afternoon off with me, especially as they won’t be working in the night. “Are you okay to come here?”
“Sure. I love it here,” he says with a grin.
“Perfect!” I reply.
And that was how Hayden Chambers came to be an almost daily afternoon visitor to our apartment.
Chapter 35
Jessie
THREE MONTHS LATER
My stomach rumbles and I check my watch. Right on cue! Every day at two p.m. I get ravenously hungry and crave ice cream, specifically butterscotch and pistachio mixed together in the same bowl. I’ve convinced myself that it’s a pregnancy craving, though the truth is I’ve always loved that flavor combo. But now I get to indulge in it every single day without feeling even the slightest hint of guilt.
“You want a snack?” I say to Hayden with a pop of one eyebrow.
“Ice cream time?” he grins at me.
“Of course. Come on.” I stand and walk out of the den and to the kitchen with him following me. Opening the door to our huge freezer, I reach in and pull out the two tubs of ice cream. They feel suspiciously light.
Placing them on the counter, I pull off the lids to find both tubs almost empty.
I frown as my stomach growls in protest. “That’s so strange.”
“What is?” Hayden says as he comes to stand beside me.
“There’s none left.” I hold up the empty cartons as proof.
“Maybe one of the guys ate it?” he offers with a shrug.
“No.” I shake my head. “They’re not huge ice cream fans and even if they were, they’re not mean, or stupid enough, to take the last of it from their pregnant, hormonal wife. They wouldn’t have put the empty tubs back either.”
“Maybe you ate it and you forgot?”
“Hey!” I nudge him in the ribs. “I don’t eat that much of the stuff.”
