Page 133

I giggle, melting at the wonder and admiration in his tone. “You know we’re going to have to call the baby something other than fruit at some point, right?”
“It’d be easier to pick a name if we knew what we were having …”
“I want it to be a surprise,” I say.
“Okay.” He capitulates, same as he did at Dr. Bailey’s office.
They could have told us the gender at the twenty-week scan, but I didn’t want to know. I still don’t. I probably should, considering this pregnancy was surprise enough. But something feels special about finding out at the same time we get to meet him or her.
We lie like that, Kit flat on his back and me using him like a pillow. My bump cradled between us, Kit’s hand partially covering it.
He shifts so he can turn off the lamp. “Okay,fine. I’ll stay since you begged.”
“That wasnotme begging.”
“Oh, I know. I remember what you begging sounds like.”
His lips brush my hair. I relax against him, more tension seeping out of me. He’s warm and solid and steady and … hard.
A flash of heat suffuses my system.
“Ignore it,” he tells me. “It’s just … been a while.”
“A while? Like, a whole week?” I tease. My voice is light, but myheart is heavy.
I believe him—that nothing happened with the woman outside. I’d even guess he hasn’t been with anyone since we talked on my steps, which was a lot longer than a week ago. But even hearing it’s been a couple of months would bother me. I don’t want to think about him with anyone else—ever.
“Sure,” Kit agrees easily. “A whole week, plus the twenty-four you’ve been knocked up.”
I’m … stunned by the revelation.He’s been celibate since we hooked up?Forget our talk on the stairs. That means he hasn’t been with anyone else since August, weeks before he even knew I was pregnant.
“Really?”
“I don’t wantanyone. I wantyou. If you think that’s new or temporary, it’s not.” He shifts under the sheets, his sincerity settling over me like another blanket. “Happy New Year, Collins.”
“Happy New Year, Kit,” I whisper.
35
Kit:Cantaloupe.
Kit:How big is a cantaloupe? I’ve only seen it cut up.
Collins:Big enough that none of my clothesfit.
“There was a package delivered for you earlier, Mr. Kensington,” the doorman tells me as I enter the lobby of my building. “It was oversize, so I had it moved to your hallway.”
“Thanks, Samuel,” I say, continuing into the elevator. As it rises, I text Bash.
Kit:You ready?
It’s Sunday, but I had to go into the office to prep for my trip to Phoenix tomorrow. I have a meeting with several board members of a newspaper we’re in negotiations with. Eight hours of travel for an hour-long meeting. I should be excited about the opportunity, but I’m kind of dreading the trip.
No immediate response comes through from Bash.
I sigh. He’s home on winter break, crashing with me again, andannoyed I told him he needs to move out by tomorrow. Not only is Collins moving into my place in a few days, but Bash is currently sleeping in the room that’s going to be the nursery. If he continues pouting during dinner, Dad’s going to get suspicious.
The doors open on my floor. I glance up from my phone, startled by the sight of my dad standing in the hallway.