“That’s the happiest I’d ever seen you,” Trevor says quietly. “And I just wanted to remember it… I, uh, hope that’s okay.”
Spinning to face him with tears in my eyes, I smile and reach for his hand. “More than okay. It just surprised me. You can’t do that to a pregnant lady,” I tease, fanning my face with my free hand. He leans forward and brushes a tear from my cheek, then kisses me softly. When he pulls away, I see forever in his eyes, and our conversation about marriage rings in my ears. Maybesomedayis a lot closer than I realized. As the smile grows on his face, his gaze memorizing mine, I’m pretty sure I want everything with him too.Who knows if I’ll be good at it? But goddamn it if I don’t want to try.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
TREVOR
“Please tell me you’re kidding, Miles.” Leaning back in my office chair, I stare at the towering suit standing in front of me. I shake my head as his face moves into a grimace.
“Afraid not. That potluck yesterday wiped almost everyone out. Jessica’s the latest one to call in sick.”
The irony of food poisoning taking out the entire team isn’t lost on me. The only reason I was spared is because I was out of the office for Willa’s thirty-seven-week appointment yesterday. Despite it all, I feel completely betrayed by the universe. How could the one stipulation in my contract collide with the one exemptionright now? It’s the middle of May, I’ve only been off the flex schedule for a week, and Willa’s already having Braxton Hicks. This is a fucking nightmare and a half.
“Look, I know it’s horrible timing for you, but even I have to jump in and help. It’s only a two-day training. We fly out to Salt Lake City tonight, and I booked return flights immediately after we end on Thursday.”
I’m so pissed off I can’t even speak, so I sit with my jaw clenched, eyes roving over my workspace. It takes me a couple of seconds to accept that I have to do this. I signed a contract saying I’d step in for this exact scenario. Walking back througheverything he just said, I get stuck on a word. “Almost everyone? Who else didn’t get sick?”
“You and Marla. That’s it.”
Of fucking course.
“It’s too late of notice to pull someone from a regional office, so I’ll be tagging along too,” he continues. “The Salt Lake office is a big one. We’ll need all hands on deck.”
I blow out small puffs of air as I come to terms with having to leave tonight, knowing Willa could go into labor any day. “I get it. Are you good with me leaving now to pack?”
“Yep. I’m headed out myself. Emailed you the itinerary. Flight leaves at eight.”
Nodding, I log out of my workstation, and by the time I look back up, he’s gone. It’s just past ten now. I’m not even going to give Willa a heads-up. I’ll just show up at the studio with flowers in hand and groveling.
When I walk into Framed Orchid, Willa’s standing on a step stool, securing the top of a summer themed backdrop. My heart stops, and I drop the bouquet of tulips at the empty front desk before rushing across the studio. “I swear you’re gonna be the death of me, Gem,” I grunt, wrapping an arm around her legs. “Why the hell are you up there?”
“Emily stepped out for a coffee run, and I need this up for the rest of my popsicle mini shoots today.” She puts a hand on my shoulder and steps down.
Her independent streak has been off the charts the last couple of weeks. Between nesting and insomnia, it’s like the bigger her stomach gets, the more determined she is to do things on her own. Being back home every night this past week has been an adjustment for both of us. I had to threaten to strap her to the bed so she’d relax, which only made her push me down for a steamy quickie on the couch. The libido’s back too.
“Don’t you have interns for this?” I ask, helping her down.
She throws one hand on her hip while rubbing her belly withthe other. “Do you see an intern, Tre? What are you even doing here?”
“Saving your life, apparently.” I pull her toward me and hold her in my arms. She tilts her head back expectantly for my kiss. Our lips meet in a casual sweep, and I’m dreading telling her why I’m here.
She pulls back, eyes narrowing. “What’s wrong?”
“What makes you think something’s wrong?”
“You kiss weird when something’s wrong. What is it?”
“Can I show you the flowers I brought you first?”
“Tre…
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “I have to fly out tonight for a training in Utah.”
Willa’s eyes bug out of her head. “You’re leaving?Now?”
“The team’s all sick from the potluck I missed out on yesterday, so Miles, Marla, and I have to step up.”
Her face drops, and the slump of her body in my arms wrecks me. I never want to be the reason for the terrified look on her face right now. “How long?”
