Page 146 of Stay With Me

Chapter Thirty-Three

Tripp

Ispent the early morning cleaning the guest room and bathroom before I drove to Magnolia’s apartment. She’ll have plenty of room for her stuff since these duplexes were designed for two ranch hands, and each bedroom has its own master suite. The only thing we’ll share is the kitchen and living room, but I’m hoping she won’t mind considering she lived by herself. Growing up in the big house with four siblings, I’m used to sharing everything, so when I moved in here at the beginning of the year, it felt strange to have so much extra space.

It’s only a matter of time before my brothers find out she’s living here, so I plan to tell my parents this weekend before they hear it through the rumor mill. Especially the being pregnant with Travis’s baby part.

By dinnertime, Magnolia’s fully moved out of her apartment and into my place. Once she went through everything that wasn’t salvageable, not much was left. She packed up her clothes, toiletries, and everything else she’d need for the foreseeable future.

I cleared a space in the kitchen for her espresso machine and supplies. My fridge is typically only half full, soshe can add in whatever else she needs. The linen closet has two empty rows for towels, blankets, or storage.

There’s still plenty of room for her and a baby if she decides to stay longer.

Which I hope she does.

Even though I knew she’d fight the idea, I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible without feeling like she was invading.

“Are you hungry?” I ask when she curls up into a ball on the couch with one of my fuzzy blankets.

“I dunno.”

“Thirsty?”

“I dunno.”

“Tired?”

“Yes,” she mutters.

“I can make you a coffee...or attempt to?” I tilt my head at her machine and all the buttons. I’m sure I could find the instructions online.

“I’m not supposed to drink caffeine, which is why I’m draggin’ so much ass.”

My brows pop up. “None at all?”

“I think there’s a recommended daily limit, but I’m a go big or go home kinda coffee girl, so it’s just best if I stick to decaf.”

That’s going to be torture for her to work with coffee all day long.

“Okay, do you have any of that?”

“Not here.”

I pull out my phone and click on the notes app, then add to my Magnolia notepad I created earlier when she mentioned needing a specific kind of detergent I didn’t have.

Can’t drink caffeine - get decaf.

“Alright, so no coffee. What about tea?”

“I only like lavender tea. Have any of that?”

Opening my cupboard, I look at the variety box with green, black, and white.Fuck.

“Nope.”

Back to my notes app I go.

Lavender tea - her favorite.