“You’re over the halfway mark. Are you feeling the baby move?”
“More and more every day. It’s such a relief.”
“It definitely can be after months of stress.” She smiles and squirts the gel on my belly. “Tell me how much of a relief it is when it keeps you up at night.”
The bubbles in my belly have steadily grown into jabs these last few weeks. It’s amazing and only a little jarring when I’m about to snap a photo in the studio and get surprised by a kick. My hand steadily stays on my not-so-easy-to-hide bump now. It’s safe to say the cat is officially out of the bag.
When we hear the heartbeat, Trevor slides a hand over my shoulder. I nuzzle my cheek against it without any thought. It’sbeen two weeks since he told me he loves me. Two weeks of him showing me what that means—which isn’t any different from how he’s always been. I think he’s loved me for much longer than I’ve realized. I’m accepting how easy it is with him. How right it all feels.
“Well, everything looks good to me.” Dr. Quentin points at the screen. “Your SCH was here, and it’s gone now. And since you haven’t had any bleeding, you’re officially free from restrictions. Just in time for Valentine’s Day.” She balances a knowing smile between Trevor and me like she knows we’ve been struggling to keep things above the belt. “Any fun plans?”
“My sister’s hosting a party tonight that we’ll probably check out,” I say.
“Ooh. Just stay away from any meat on those sharkoochie boards.”
Trevor laughs and slaps a hand over his mouth.
“Charcuterie, Doc,” I say, trying to keep from giggling.
“Listen…” She laughs along with Trevor, wiping the gel off my stomach. “It made sense to me. I’ll see you in four weeks. You two stay out of trouble.”
After checking out at the front desk, Trevor walks me to my purple crossover. He opens my door but pulls me to him before I can climb in. “Are you sure about that party tonight?”
“I think Ash will crash out if we don’t show up, since we missed the New Year’s Eve party.”
“Let her. Say the word, and we’ll stay home. We can start that newDater or Hatershow.”
My heart flutters at the out he’s trying to give me. He’s really spent the time to learn all the little details about me, and I love him for it.
Oh.
Maybe it reallyissupposed to be this easy.
I love him.
As I bite my lip at the realization, Trevor takes it as hesitation about the party.
“I’m serious, Gem. We can skip it.”
“I think we should go. I’m kind of excited to get out of the house.”
His eyes dance around my face skeptically. “Okay then… I’ll see you after work.” He pins me in place with a kiss, hesitating to let me go when he pulls away. “I love you,” he whispers, our foreheads pressed together.
I love you too.
I keep my confession under lock and key, as if letting it fly will send me spiraling across the parking garage. I’ve barely come around to hearing myself say it in my head. Who knows what saying the words out loud will do?
Trevor helps me into the car, giving me another peck after I’ve buckled up. When he strolls to his truck, I marvel at the love of my life going on about his day while I panic over something I know I need to get used to. I’m in love with Trevor Jones.I just need to find the guts to tell him.
Ashlie promisedto have taquitos waiting for me at the party, and as we pull into their neighborhood, my mouth waters at the thought. I got home from the studio late, with just enough time to change into something that fit the requested dress code—red, pink, and fancy. My blush velvet dress is stretchy enough to be comfortable and matches the tie Trevor coordinated with my outfit. I reach for the door handle as soon as we pull up to Ashlie and Hunter’s house, but Trevor puts a hand on my arm to stop me.
“Wait a minute.” Leaning across me, he reaches for the glove box, and I guard my belly with my hands as the compartment door pops open. He grabs a wrapped package small enough to fit in my palm, sticks it in my lap, and smiles at the surprise on myface. I’m even more confused when I open the box to find two sleek, noise-canceling earbuds attached to the end of gold earrings. Looking at him, I tilt my head, waiting for his explanation. “I know how much the noise gets to you at these parties. I saw these online a few weeks ago and thought they might help. And we can leave whenever you want. Just say the word and we?—”
“Iloveyou.” The declaration flies out of my mouth, and I suck in a hiss of air in its wake. I stare at him with wide eyes, not sure what happens next. The smile hasn’t left his face while he watches me accept the full weight of what I just said to him. “I…love you, Tre.”
“I know you do.” He brushes a knuckle over my cheek. “I feel it whenever you look at me.” Leaning across the center console, he cradles my face in his palm. “But God, hearing you say it is better than anything I could have imagined, Gem. I love you too.” Our lips meet in a searing kiss as we twist against the car seats, accommodating for my growing belly while trying to get as close as we can. Every swipe of a tongue is met with wrestling lips, and when I suck his lower lip in between mine, I’m met with a moan filled with weeks’ worth of desire. We’ve done all of this in the messiest way possible—a one-night stand, a baby, family conflict, and trauma—but as inconvenient as it is to be making out in the front of his SUV right now, it feels like the most fitting way for us to admit our love. A surprise declaration and a meeting of hearts while nostalgia plays on the radio in the background.
After fixing our clothes and digging under the passenger seat for the earbuds that fell while we took our fill of each other, we walk to the front door. Trevor pauses before going in, checking to make sure the earbuds are tight in my ears. He kisses my forehead, and we walk into the party with timid smiles and entwined fingers.
