Page 55 of Paper Flowers (Stonebrook #1)

“I know. I just moved in, and I finally get to see her every day. I can’t wait until we’re back to the three of us again.” I smirk, pulling her closer. “Is this your way of saying you don’t want to be alone with me?”

She laughs, shaking her head. “You know what I mean.”

“I know.” I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her close. I know exactly how she feels.

There’s a knock at her door. We turn as Sadie and Cara walk in.

“We’re ready whenever you are! Meet you outside.”

Dayna turns back to me, leaning up on her toes, and kisses me so thoroughly I forget my name for a second.

I pull back, breathless. “Where the hell did that come from?”

She smirks. “Something to hold you over until later.” I’m not even mad.

“I’ll see you this evening, Luke. I love you.”

“I love you too, Baby.”

For dinner, Sadie picked tacos and quesadillas. No surprise there. Dayna said they found a headband that perfectly matches Sadie’s dress, which Sadie was particularly proud of. After eating, she showered and went to bed without any fuss. A shopping day with Cara and Dayna will do that.

Now, it’s just the two of us, curled up on the sofa, watching the end of Thursday Night Football . My arm is draped along the back of the couch, Dayna’s head resting just below my shoulder. Our legs are tangled on the ottoman, her bare feet occasionally brushing against my jeans.

“Sadie asked if her hair can be curled tomorrow.” I furrow my brows. “But her hair is curly already.”

“Not the way she wants it, Luke. ”

I blink at her, lost. “I—I don’t know how to use a curly hair iron thing.”

Dayna giggles, patting my thigh as if to soothe me.

“She asked if I could do it for her tomorrow.” I sag against the couch in relief. “Oh, thank fuck, because I can’t do that.” I kiss her soft lips, and the way her face immediately blushes makes my chest tighten.

“I have to find my curling iron. I don’t remember packing it, so it must be here somewhere.” She gets up, heading toward the stairs, and I follow after her, flipping off the TV. The game’s a blowout, anyway.

When I pass by Sadie’s room, I peek inside. Her suitcase is already packed, tucked neatly in my truck. All she needs now is her favorite blanket, the one she’s curled under. I walk over, gently pulling the fabric over her shoulders, then press a kiss to her forehead.

“I love you, princess.”

I check to make sure her nightlight is still on, then quietly close the door.

I expect to find Dayna rummaging through cabinets when I reach our bedroom, but as I step closer, the light spilling from the ensuite bathroom stops me in my tracks.

She’s not searching for her curling iron.

She’s sitting on the floor. Frozen.

Her face is pale— too pale.

I instantly crouch beside her, concern tightening in my chest.

“Dayna? Are you okay? You’re pale.”

She doesn’t look at me. Her gaze is locked on the open cabinet beneath the sink. I follow her stare and see a box of tampons shoved in the back. Then I notice the way her fingers tremble slightly against her knee.

“What’s the matter, Baby?” A beat of silence. Then, barely above a whisper?—

“I—I’m late.”

I still completely. Did I hear her right? I glance at the cabinet again, at the unopened box of tampons sitting there like some unspoken truth. Her period. She’s late. My heart starts pounding. “Honey, look at me.”

She finally turns her head, her wide whiskey-colored eyes locking onto mine. There’s a flicker of something in them— wonder? Fear? Hope?

“I’m late, Luke,” she repeats, voice shaky but controlled.

“I—I should’ve had my period already. Could I be—” She stops, lips parting slightly as if just saying the words would make it real.

Her hand drifts to her stomach. “Could I be pregnant?” Excitement rushes through me so fast, my limbs feel weightless.

Holy shit.

I search her face, trying to gauge what she’s feeling. Is she nervous? Terrified? Excited?

“We’ve been trying, but...” she exhales softly. “I can’t even remember if I got my period last month.” She stares down at her belly, her hand still resting there— hesitant, cautious, as if afraid to fully embrace the possibility.

“It’s a possibility,” I murmur, swallowing hard. “How do you feel about it?”

She hesitates. “Surprisingly, this is a whole new level of nervousness.” I reach out, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her into my chest.

“I’m going to run to the pharmacy and pick up a test.”

She smiles slightly that sneaky, mischievous smile that always makes my heart race. “Um... I actually bought one already.”

I pull back slightly. “ You did? ”

“Yeah, the first time we had sex.” Her cheeks flush. “I was nervous, and I just wanted to have one on hand... you know, just in case. But I forgot about it, and it’s been sitting in my bathroom cabinet ever since.”

I chuckle softly. “You planned ahead.”

“I did.”

Then, a pause. “I—I don’t want to take it right now.” I nod. “Morning is best, right? First pee and all that?” She lets out a nervous laugh .

“Yeah. Apparently, it’s more accurate.”

I know that all too well. Seven years ago, I memorized the back of that box. Remembering Juliette handing me the box and a positive test, asking me if she was reading it right. She was hoping and praying for a positive outcome. Now here I am again. But this moment feels different.

“So, we’ll wait until morning, whenever you’re ready.” She exhales, relieved. “You don’t mind waiting?” I press my forehead to hers. “Not at all.”

We crawl into bed, her body curling into mine like it’s always belonged there.

She traces a finger down my chest. “I don’t know if I can sleep.

I’m so nervous.” I press a kiss to the top of her head, threading my fingers through her hair.

“I love you, Dayna Mae. No matter what the test says tomorrow, I love you.”

Her breathing slows slightly. “I love you too, Luke Theodore.”

A few moments of quiet pass. Then— “What about the name Theodore?”

I raise a brow. “ Theodore? ”

“We could call him Teddy.” She smiles sleepily. “He could be our little Teddy Bear.”

I choke back a laugh. “I thought you said you pictured us having a girl?”

“I did.” She shrugs. “Just throwing names out there.”

I pretend to consider it. “Sadie and Teddy?” I shake my head. “Absolutely not.” She bursts out laughing, burying her face in my chest. “Yeah, that sounds a little weird.”

She starts to say something else, but her breathing slows, her fingers stilling against my skin. She’s asleep.

I keep running my fingers through her hair, staring up at the ceiling. Tomorrow morning, we might find out we’re having a baby. I’ve never wanted anything more.

“ Goodnight, Love. ”

Dayna fell asleep shortly after our conversation. Running my fingers through her hair knocks her out every time. I love the feel of her silky strands slipping through my fingers, the soft, steady rhythm calming her like clockwork.

But I can’t sleep. Not yet. So I lay there, staring at the ceiling, thinking.

Thinking about what could be happening inside her body right now.

Thinking about Juliette. About the time she was this excited too, when she thought she might be pregnant.

The hope. The possibility. The thrill. The dreams we had.

How quickly things can turn. I shake the thought away before it pulls me under.

I haven’t moved my hand from her lower belly since she fell asleep.

It’s ridiculous, but I can’t bring myself to lift it.

Is my baby growing inside her? I let out a breath of hope, pressing my lips to her forehead. Then, unable to help myself, I give her belly a tiny squeeze— a silent wish that our little jelly bean is in there.

Dayna’s alarm clock jolts me awake. The moment I blink, I already know. She’s not waiting. Just as I reach for her, she bolts upright, nearly tripping out of bed. “I have to know now!”

“Honey, slow down—” But she’s already moving, already heading for the bathroom, feet quick against the hardwood floor.

I push the comforter off, following her, but I stop in the doorway.

She’s standing in front of the sink, staring at the unopened pregnancy test. Her fingers tremble.

Her eyes glisten. “I’m nervous.” I step forward, wrapping my arms around her middle, resting my chin on her shoulder.

“I know.”

“I just— what if?” Her voice breaks, and my chest tightens. I kiss her temple, squeezing gently.

“Hey, when you’re ready, go in there and take it. Once you’re done, we’ll wait together.” She nods, gripping the test tighter. Then she finally looks at me.

“I’ll be right back.”

I don’t breathe until I hear the toilet flush. Then the sink runs, as she washes her hands. When she steps out, her face is pale. The test is upside down on the counter. I don’t know if she’s afraid to look or if she just can’t. I grab my phone, setting a three-minute timer.

“It’s the longest three minutes of my life.

” Her voice is barely a whisper. I nod in agreement with her.

We don’t say anything else. Just standing against the bathroom counter staring at the test. My pulse is pounding, thick and heavy in my ears.

I sneak a glance at her, noticing how she’s picking at the hem of my shirt.

Then, just as the silence starts to press in around us, the timer rings and Dayna’s head snaps up.

Our eyes lock. “I’m so excited but I can’t look at it.

” She shoves the test toward me. “You look please?” I smile, taking it from her hands.

It feels heavier than it should. I turn it over and my heart plummets.

“Not Pregnant.” Is displayed on the tiny gray screen.

The words burn. The pain rushes through me.

I can’t speak. I can’t look at her. Instead, I find my gaze dropping to her stomach.

Our little boy isn’t in her belly. I close my eyes, swallowing hard against the lump lodged in my throat.

She’s swaying beside me, waiting for the answer I wish I could give her.

I hear her shaky breath and I force myself to look at her.

She’s still not opening her eyes. Then, a single tear slips down her cheek. I wipe it away instantly.

“Look at me, sweetheart.” I say as I try to keep my voice even but failing miserably. She stills, recognizing that I’ve never called her that before. Her bottom lip trembles. She exhales a small, broken breath.

“I’m sorry, Luke.” Before I can tell her there’s nothing to be sorry for, she lays her head against my shoulder.

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her as close as I can.

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” I murmur.

“It wasn’t our time.” She nods, pressing her face into my neck.

I press a soft kiss to her temple. “When you’re ready, we can start trying for our little Teddy Bear again.

” Her body shakes with a quiet laugh. She leans back, wiping her face. “Did we just nickname our baby?”

“Yes, I guess we did.” I give her a small smile, kissing her lips gently.

“I love you. We will be okay, and I will get you pregnant, you know.” She lets out a snort, shaking her head.

“I love you too. I have no doubt you will.” She pauses, exhaling softly.

“I was probably just stressed out with work and moving. That was stressful, and it might have contributed to my lateness. That’s what I meant. ”

“I know what you meant, love.” Before I can say anything else Dayna says,

“I’m gonna wake up Sadie and bring her in here.

What time are you gonna start getting ready?

” I watch her closely. She’s already changing the subject.

I know she’s hurting because I am too. She’s already pushing the pain aside.

I don’t know what scares me more. The fact that we just got a negative pregnancy test. Or the thought of trying again and it having the same results.

How many times can I look at those two words and tell her something we both desperately want?

Can my heart survive another heartbreak? I swallow the lump in my throat and push the thought away.

For her, it has to.