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“What. Because you slept with her?”

“Nah, because she wants me too. I can feel it.”

Shoulders shaking with silent humor, he walks toward the door to leave. “I gotta head out. I’ve been here way longer than I intended. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks.”

I pause on obsessing and take a long look at my best friend. “Why do I feel like you’re holding out on me now?”

“Like you, there’s not much to say. Mom’s still struggling, and Dad’s never around. It’s down to me to care for her.”

“Where is he this time?” God, he’s a prick, and fuck knows how a man like Jessie Callaghan came from his DNA.

“Probably shacked up with another chick.”

“Why doesn’t she just leave him? You could set her up with everything she needs.”

Jessie blows out a disbelieving breath. “You’re kidding, right? They’ve been married for twenty-five years. She doesn’t think she’d be able to cope on her own.”

I nod. Families can be a fucking nightmare. I’m so grateful for the one I was blessed with. “Have you spoken to your dad?”

“Ha! I’m more likely to break his jaw than speak to him.”

“Yeah, don’t do that.” Although I totally get why he would.

“I’m gonna head out and finish up packing for Dallas.” He nods down the hallway to Kate’s room. “Good luck with getting the girl.”

I walk over and fist-bump him. “If all else fails, there’s always handcuffs. Thanks for checking on her, bro. I owe you.”

He pauses halfway out the door. “You’re joking, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am. It won’t come to that. Another few weeks, and she’ll be mine.”

He shakes his head and walks down the hallway toward the elevators. “Later.”

No sooner is the door closed than I’m striding into Kate’s bedroom. Lying on her side, she faces me, her hair fluttering from the ceiling fan. How is it even possible to be that goddamn beautiful? I’ve only been away a couple of nights, but there’s no doubt she’s more gorgeous than when I left.

I know I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t climb under the comforter and lie beside her, but fuck it, I’m doing it anyway. How in the hell I manage to get my six-three frame in without waking her, I’ll never know. She’s fucking exhausted, I know that. Resting my head on her soft white pillow, the raw need to pull her into my chest and never let her or our baby go claws at me, testing every inch of willpower I have. I need to touch her again, need to taste the way she feels on my lips, on my tongue, the way she molds to me.

Conveniently, a piece of hair swirls and sticks to her upper lip, which protrudes just slightly above her lower. It always does, whether she’s smiling, laughing, crying, or scowling, the latter being the version I get most often—for now.

Reaching up carefully, I pull the strand of hair away and tuck it behind her right ear. Her eyelids flutter slightly, but she stays perfectly asleep. Everything about her is perfect—even her snarky mouth.

“What is it going to take for you to fall for me?” I whisper the words so quietly I can barely hear them myself, though I’ve repeated them in my head more times than I can count. “Let me love you both like I know I can.”

“I’mgonna need you to eat some of it for me, Princess.”

I’m sitting next to Kate, who finally woke up around nine p.m. I watch her push the vegetable stir fry around her plate. “I just don’t think I can stomach it.”

“What else can I get you? If it continues like this, then we’re going to the doctor.” Walking the plate through to her kitchen, I pull out my phone and text the boys.

Me

Can someone with a key to my place head over and pack me a bag for at least a week? There’s no way I’m leaving her like this.

Like the fine friends they all are, every single member of the group begins typing immediately.

Jon

How is she? Yeah, I can sort it.