Page 155 of Delicate Storm

“I—”

“No arguments.”

“I wasn’t going to argue. I was going to say I know. I won’t be long.”

“Good.” He smirks.

We’re quiet again as we get into an occupied elevator, but when we stop at my level, Easton squeezes my ass before I move toward the door, raising an eyebrow when I glance back.Tease. There’s another Easton to add to the list—playful.

Despite saying I’d be quick, I’m slow to get changed, and by the time I’m back at Easton’s, I’m relieved to find Keeley gone. I’ve texted her about her mom, but I’m not ready to talk about my relationship with her brother. Not yet, anyway.

It’s after midnight, but I find Easton on the couch, a beer in hand as he stares at a blank TV screen, lost in thought.

“Are you okay?” I ask, no longer holding back when I have something to say.

He glances up at me and smiles, lifting his arm for me to join him. “I am now.” He winks. “You’re back.”

“But something’s bothering you?” I drop down next to him, curling my legs under me as I turn his way, waiting for a response. “Now that I know you better, I can read the signs,” I joke to ease his stress, and he huffs out a laugh.

“You’ve always been able to read my signs, and you’re right again. I’m thinking about everything that’s going on. The future.”

“Sheesh. The future. That’s heavy.” I smile before lifting his arm and tucking myself into his hold. “Anything I can help with?”

“You just did. Being here helps. I feel stronger. Like this is all going to work out. Is that crazy?”

“No, not at all. Because I feel the same.” A yawn escapes me and I try to hide it, but Easton notices.

“We should go to bed.” He moves to stand up but I stop him.

“Can we just sit for a while? This feels nice. Just being.”

I curl myself farther into him and he welcomes me, making himself comfortable. “That sounds good. Actually no, justbeingsounds perfect.”

Easton turns on the TV but I don’t really watch it. Instead, my mind drifts to the future, just like his was, only instead of panicking like I thought I would, a sense of calm takes over me.

I must fall asleep right there on the couch, because when I wake up suddenly, I’m in Easton’s bed with him breathing softly beside me. I smile to myself until my eyes focus and I realize what woke me.

Spotting Isaac, I gasp and sit up, thankful that I’m still fully clothed. “Isaac, are you okay?”

“I had a bad dream. Can you take me back to bed?”

“Ah, sure. I’ll wake your dad.”

He shakes his head no and reaches for my hand, curling his warm fingers through my own. “I want you to cuddle me.”

My heart fills with a new kind of love, one different to what I share with Easton. And I know with absolute certainty that I’m going to protect this little boy with all that I have. I love his Dad, more than I’ve ever loved anyone before, but Isaac just became my number one priority. And together, I feel whole for the very first time.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Paige

Iwake to a chaos that I’m not at all used to. Easton’s running around packing his bag, Isaac’s chasing after him, asking questions at a rate of a million miles per hour. “What day are you getting back? Does Paige like toast with jelly? Will I see Nana? Are you going on a plane or a bus?”

To Easton’s credit, he’s doing a damn good job at answering every question with a smile on his face, because even I’m overwhelmed.

“Can I help?” I interrupt and they both freeze. “I’m sorry I slept in. You should have woken me.”

“Paige.” Isaac rushes over and wraps his arms around my leg. “Daddy told me to let you leep.”

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