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I don’t like that. At all. But I’m not going to push her. Tonight was big. Sex. Finally telling her about Alfred. Maybe she needs some space.
But after I brush my teeth, clean up in the bathroom, and slip between the sheets in her bedroom, I hear the door open.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I say, rolling toward her.
“Where are April and Elliot?”
“Staying at Mandy and Will’s tonight.”
“Are they okay?”
“Yep. Everyone is good.”
She seems to accept that. She steps closer to the bed.
“How’re Scarlett and Mariah?” I ask.
“Really good. They love Portland. They love Astrid and Iris. They’re so proud of the foundation.” She sighs. “They are happy. So happy, so accepted, so secure. It’s everything I ever wanted for them.”
“I’m glad.”
“Me too.” Her smile is genuine and the tightness around my chest loosens a little.
Then she kneels on the mattress. “Can I sleep in here? Mariah’s pillows suck.”
She took one of her own in there, but I’ll let her use any excuse she needs to be in here with me. I lift the duvet, and she slides in next to me. I put an arm around her, cover us, and take a deep, contented breath. “Don’t try to seduce me, though,” I tell her with a yawn. “I need some sleep, and I have to get up early to deliver cinnamon rolls.”
She laughs and snuggles closer. “Okay, good. That means I can sleep in like usual. Early mornings are bullshit.”
I settle my hand on her ass and cuddle her close.
Yeah, early mornings are bullshit.
Those and about twenty other things I can think of right off the top of my head.
But falling asleep with Ruby Gale in my arms is definitely not one of them.
However, realizing I don’t get to do this every night for the rest of my life is absolutely on that list.
Chapter 19
Ruby
Ihear the shower turn on in the bathroom and roll over to my back with a huge smile.
I take a deep breath and look up at my ceiling.
I do really like sleeping in my own bed—my pillows are absolutely superior to Mariah’s and I should have taken more than one that first night—and I really,reallylike sleeping in my own bed with Henry next to me.
I also like sleeping when everyone is great. Scarlett is great. Cian is great. Mariah is great. April and Elliot are great.
I have no one to worry about.
Sure, that makes me feel like I’m floating without a real destination or plan at the moment, but I’m alsofloatingwhich is a nice feeling.
Once I get to New Orleans, I’ll have a plan again.