My chest is tight, and my hands are shaking, but for once, it’s not fear. It’s anticipation. Whatever this is, whatever they want, I’m walking straight into it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
THE COMFORT
Sophie
The warm water feels lush against my skin, and I stay in the shower for a few minutes longer than normal. After Julian and I finished half an hour ago, I started cramping and spotting—a sure sign that my period is coming a couple of days early. And now, as the water cascades down my sore lower abdomen, I know it’s inevitable, and before long, I’ll be doubled over with cramps.
Just as I turn the tap off, Julian lightly knocks on the bathroom door.
“I’m done, darling,” I call out, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around myself.
He steps inside, still wearing his navy trousers and white Oxford shirt from earlier. “Kai is coming over.”
I stop mid-step, my eyes going wide. “What?Now?”
He shrugs and holds his hands up. “Yes. It wasn’t my intention to invite him over, but it just sort of… happened.”
I shift my weight to the other foot and grab another towel for my hair. “Awful timing. I just started my period.”
Julian shrugs. “That’s okay, pet. We can just hang out and watch a movie.”
I frown. “Do you think he’ll be disappointed?” I ask, scrunching my hair to get all of the water out.
“If he is, fuck him,” Julian says, reaching into the bathroom drawer and handing me a tampon as he kisses my temple.
Marriage.
“I just don’t really feel like getting dressed up,” I admit, the gnawing sensation inside of me getting worse by the minute.
“Soph, tonight doesn’t have to be anything we don’t want it to be. You set the tone, okay?”
I nod, not bothering to close the door when I walk to the toilet and insert my tampon. Julian has seen me at my absolute worst, so putting a tampon in while he watches is nothing. When I’m finished, I wash my hands and walk into the bedroom. Julian follows me, and I see him grabbing my favorite period clothes—loose joggers and a baggy T-shirt.
I don’t bother with a bra.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Julian discard his clothes—in the laundry hamper, surprisingly—before grabbing a pair of loose shorts and a crewneck jumper.
Once we’re both done changing, he goes into the bathroom and grabs my hairbrush. It doesn’t happen every time I shower, but when I’m not feeling well, he loves to brush my hair and take care of me. I give him a shy smile as I sit on the edge of the bed, and he takes his time brushing through my wet hair.
“Do you need your medicine?” he asks, referring to the spliffs I keep in the cigarette case.
I nod, lying back on the bed when he’s done.
Just as he lights one for me, taking a drag before handing it to me, our phones buzz with the doorbell notification.
“I’ll go,” Julian says, giving me a once-over as he hesitates by the door. “I can send him home if you’d rather not have company.”
I shake my head. “It’s okay. This should help, and I want to see him.”
His eyes bore into mine. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive, babe. Go let him in. Maybe lower his expectations for the night, too, while you’re at it.”
He huffs a laugh. “Any man who doesn’t want to spend quality time with your sexy arse—period or not—isn’t worth our time.”
Something warm cracks open in my chest. “I love you.”
