Page 238 of The Baby Bargain

* * *

Ariel struggles through dinner.She heads to the couch, munches on saltines as she starts a new series.

I hang out next to her until she falls asleep, then I carry her to her room, lay her down, help her into her pajamas.

She pats the spot next to her. Mumbles, "Come to bed, Chase." Rolls onto her side.

Her bed is small, a full, but I still slide under the purple covers.

I still fall asleep next to her.

It's the best sleep I've ever had.

* * *

The next dayis the same.

Ariel texts curses, against me or the demon leeching her life forcehow could I call her Charlotte? She's clearly something pure evil. Rosemary's baby. Or Lilith. Or some other being from another plane of existence.

I text back, teasing and comforting in equal measure.

I go to her place, cook her dinner, walk along the moonlit beach, watch bad TV.

Even after her dad gets home, I stay with her.

Even after her brothers notice I'm hanging out way too often.

I want to tell them. But I let her lead. I keep my lips zipped.

Even though I'm desperate to spend Christmas with her, watching her family open a tiny box with a little onesie.

I spend Christmas with my family.

Sure, she comes over for hot chocolate and marshmallows (she can't get enough of marshmallows), and we talk about when she's going to tell the rest of the world (twelve weeks, and that's not up for negotiation).

And, yeah, I take her back to my apartment and spend the night with her.

But it's not enough.

I want more of her.

I want the world to know.

Well, most of me does.

There's that other part, the one that still believes I'm an anchor around her neck.

I try to stop that voice. I pour myself into work. I focus on the Inked Love remodel. I'm in charge and it's taking forever.

It's fucking amazing, being in charge, making it happen, watching the place go from a shack to a palace.

But it only underlines the question.

Can I forgive my brother? Can I help my family heal? Can I be the person Ariel needs?

But with every passing week, the voice gets louder.

This isn't a relationship that might go wrong.