Page 135 of Even Exchange

“I’m gonna need you to be more specific,” she rasps.

“Have the past few months not felt real? Falling asleep tangled in one another? Our dates? Late nights FaceTiming?”

“Yes, but?—”

“How about the things I’ve shared with you that I haven’t told anyone else? Ever.” Memories of how absolutely understanding she was flood my mind. “Does it feel fake when I hold you like this?” My grip on her hips tightens. “Does it feel like I’m faking it?” She shakes her head again. “How about when I make you moan my name until you collapse in my arms? Doesthatfeel fake?” Another head shake. “Say it out loud.”

“No.”

“No, what?”

She sucks in a breath. “It doesn’t feel fake.”

“Because it’s not. You and I are the real deal, and I can’t pretend any longer. Especially not when you are walking around growingourchild.” I bring my lips to her ear. “I’m a strong man, but hell, Charlotte, I’m not that strong.”

“Are you sure you want me?” She places a hand on her stomach. “Want us?”

I pause millimeters from her ear, releasing a low, breathy chuckle. “Charlotte, I’ve told you so many times.Mi fai impazzire.”

She goes rigid. “You’re happy we’re friends?” The false translation I told her.

I drop my head in the crook of her neck. “It means you drive me crazy,” I mumble against her skin.

“Well, that’s wonderful,” she mutters.

“Soffione.” I pull away, looking into her shocked eyes. “I’m crazyforyou. I thought about tasting every inch of your skin for months before we started things.Months.I’m notjustattracted to you.” I hook a strand of hair behind her ear, rubbing her cheek with the pad of my thumb. “I’mweakfor you. Icraveyou. I think about you from the moment I wake up to the second I fall asleep.”

She studies me. “You do?”

“Of course I do.”

“I appreciate that… But just because your feelings for me are real, doesn’t meanthis”—she places a hand on her stomach—“has to be real to you.”

“It’s real for you, isn’t it?” I ask, and she nods. “Which means it’s real for me too.” Her eyes swim with uncertainty, and I tap my forehead to hers. “I’m right here. And I’malwaysgoing to be here.For youandour baby.” Placing my palm over her stomach, I remind myself that as much as I want to be a father, I also can’t force this decision for her. “Or whatever you decide to do, I support you.”

Her brows furrow as she rests her hand on mine. “What do you mean?”

I clear my throat. “Your body, your choice.”

She looks down at her stomach. “I’m keeping the baby, Noah.”

“Weare keeping the baby.” Taking her chin between my fingers, I tip her gaze to meet mine. “No more ‘I.’ It’s you and me. For real this time.”

Her lips quirk with a smile. “Okay, then what comes next? I don’t think you covered this in the syllabus.”

“Move in with me,” I say, placing my hand back on her stomach.

She huffs a laugh. “That’s not necessary.”

“You already have a key,” I say, knowing damn well I gave her one hoping she’d make it her second home. “And I’m pretty sure there’s no room for a nursery in your apartment.”

She tilts her head back and forth. “I don’t know.”

“If you don’t, I’ll be worried about youallthe time. Wondering how you’re feeling or how baby is.” I worry enough as it is. Add our baby in the mix, and I’ll be an anxious fucking mess.

“Phones do exist,” she says, but her tone is teasing.

“Pleasemove in with me?”

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