I laugh at that one until I see the tears brimming in her eyes and choke it back. “Hey. Come here.” Pulling her toward me, I wrap my arms around her right as the first tears fall.
“I’m sorry. This is stupid. I don’t cry. I shouldn’t even be crying.”
“It’s not stupid. Your world is on its head right now. Worry is warranted.”
Willa buries her face into my chest, imprinting the light coconut notes on her skin into my senses. Stroking her back, I pull her closer to tuck her head under my chin. She fits so perfectly there, and I bite my cheeks to rid myself of the impulseto kiss the top of her head. “What if I come down on the weekends?”
Her stuttered sniffles shake her body against mine. “I can’t let you do that. It’ll cost so much.”
“Let me worry about the cost. I’ll fly out on Fridays after work and head back on Sunday nights. And I’ll enlist Ashlie and Hunter to check in on you during the week. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like I’m about to be everyone’s problem…”
“You’re the furthest thing from a burden, Willa. You’re worth every single effort.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
WILLA
Despite me telling him not to, Trevor changed his Friday flight to Sunday and stayed in LA last weekend. Bursting into tears after my appointment sent him into overprotective hyperdrive. With another bad wave of morning sickness that had him fussing at me to lie down every five minutes, I’m surprised he actually left. He made me swear, pledge, and promise to call if I needed him to come back. I think we both know that won’t happen.
Sunday night is when the nightmares started. I’ve had them every day since. They always start out as bright, sunny dreams with a precious bundle of joy in my arms. But just when I get comfortable, a crack of lightning cues the skies to darken. I look down at a faceless baby girl before she’s ripped from my hands in a windstorm, floating just high enough that I can’t reach. It doesn’t matter what the dream is about. For the past five days, they’ve all ended the same, with me waking up soaked in sweat and tangled in my sheets. I’m too scared to fall back asleep at that point and have gotten into the habit of bundling up in front of the TV until daybreak. I’m fucking exhausted.
So tell me why, instead of curling up on my sofa, I’m at the vanity concealing the dark circles under my eyes, all just to sufferat Ashlie’s Halloween party. She and Hunter recently bought a house and thought the holiday was perfect for a housewarming party. This long-ass week is never-ending. It’s Friday, it’s chilly outside, and all I want to do is curl up in my sweatpants and fall asleep. Except I can’t because I’ll just wake up screaming again. My phone buzzes on the marble vanity underneath me, causing me to smear my winged eyeliner for my goddess costume.
Trevor
Just got in. You sure you don’t want me to pick you up?
Me
I’m good. I don’t think I’ll stay too long.
Trevor
Everything ok?
Me
Yeah. I don’t usually last long at parties. I’ll see you there.
In true Willa fashion, I haven’t told him a thing about the nightmares or the exhaustion. Admitting I’m terrified of going to sleep like I’m three years old makes me cringe inside. He can’t do anything about it, anyway. Vivid pregnancy dreams are normal; I looked it up. Hopefully, it’ll pass soon, just like the morning sickness.
For fuck’s sake.My phone rattles like I’m getting a call right as I pick up the eyeliner.
Unknown
Hey beautiful…
I know you’re getting these.
You ever going to answer me?
Now I’m exhaustedandlivid. It’s an unknown number, but my ex has been playing this game for years. The only reason Ihaven’t fucking blocked him is because he’ll take satisfaction from any reaction I give him. He always has. My past attempts to block his ass resulted in three new unknown numbers torturing my phone day and night. The police claimed the numbers were untraceable, that they couldn’t do anything unless it escalated. He’s too smart to do that. At least this way, he knows the messages are going through, and I feel in control.
After fixing my eye makeup, I wrap a black rope belt around the waist of my shimmery gold dress and reach for the gilded headpiece hanging on the bathroom doorknob. I have to say, for how unenthusiastic I feel right now, I love every aspect of this costume I threw together. It hugs my curves just enough to make me feel sexy while leaving an air of mystery. Scanning myself in the full-length mirror on my bedroom wall, I take a deep breath.Why do I do this to myself? I grab my keys and head for the door. The sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can come back home and enjoy the rest of my night.
“Girl,finally!”Ashlie rushes me at the front door, sounds of laughter floating into the entryway. Her skeleton bodysuit looks hand painted, the bones drawn on her face already smudging. I don’t even have time to admire the updates she’s made to the huge open concept living room before she pulls me through the pods of people socializing. She doesn’t stop until we reach theU-shaped kitchen, packed with more guests. Glass cabinets line the white walls, drinks are scattered around the butcher block island, and finger foods crowd the marble countertops.The perks of marrying the son of a multimillionaire. With wide eyes, she tips on her toes to grab my shoulders. “I have a problem.”
