Page 136 of Even Exchange

“I don’t want to intrude.”Is that her concern?

“Let me ask a better question. And, for a moment, I need you to expel any worries that you’re intruding or not welcome or whatever that pretty little head of yours is thinking.” She fights a smile, her eyes meeting mine. “Would it make you happy to live here?”

“Yes,” she says without hesitation.

“Then welcome to Casa Caruso.”

* * *

Charlotte rolls a suitcase up the driveway, and I trail behind her, a heavy box in my arms. It took her a few days to pack, but we retrieved her things today, and she’s finally, officially, moving in. I’ve been fighting to suppress my inner anxieties, my hyperfixation on ensuring our home is a safe space, not a house of horrors like my childhood was.

Right now, my job is to support her, and there’s no time to let my toxic past get in the way. No time to curse myself for being so stupid. For knowing better than to keep hooking up without some kind of safe sex talk.

But as we get to the front door and she stands up the suitcase to dig in her purse, I’m reminded of why she’s here. Filled with pride knowing even though this was definitely not in the five-year plan, this woman is growing my baby. Our baby.

She retrieves the key, hercornicellopendant dangling off it. I hope it protects her and baby when I’m away. The thought of leaving them puts a pit in my stomach, but it’s part of the job.And I love my job.After pushing the door open, she grabs the suitcase, rolling it inside.

In the foyer, she pauses, looking from my room toward the other side of the house.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, setting the box on the floor by the front door and shutting it.

“I can keep my stuff in the guest room?” she suggests.This woman.

Walking over, I take the suitcase handle in my hand with a wide grin and pull it to my bedroom.Ourbedroom.

“Wait!” she calls after me. “I don’t want to take up all your space.”

I hoist it onto the mattress so she doesn’t have to bend down when unpacking.

“Noah.” She puts an arm on mine, tugging me away from the luggage.

“You are sleeping in my—our—bed,” I tell her. “Your things will be inourroom.” I point to the empty dresser I cleared for her. “That’s yours. But if you need more room, you can have mine too.” I take her face in my hands, and her gaze meets mine. “Iwantyou taking up every inch of my space.” Bending down, I kiss her softly on the mouth, then push up her shirt, splaying my fingers over her stomach. “Both of you.”

“I don’t want you to feel trapped.”

“Charlotte. I have spent so much time in my life feeling like I don’t have a choice.” I brush my fingers against her belly. “But this? I want this.”Even if I’m freaking out, I can’t deny how much I want this.I tap my forehead to hers. “And I wantyou.”So. Damn. Much.She smiles, and I nuzzle her nose. “So please stop fighting me and unpack your things inourroom, yeah?”

She nods.

“I’ll bring the rest of your stuff in, but let me show you a few things first,” I say, walking toward my nightstand.

“Okay.”

She may not like this, but it’s important. “Remember how I told you Mom and I got our concealed weapons permits?”

“Yes?” she says, tone curious.

Sliding open the drawer, I grab the pistol I keep there. “This is for emergencies,” I say, showing it to her, and her eyes widen. In case thecornicellodoesn’t do its job. “Do you know how to use one?”

She nods. “My parents made me take a self-defense class in high school, and gun knowledge was one of the lessons.”

“Good.”

After ensuring the safety is on, I return it to the drawer, making a mental note to buy a safe before the baby comes. My phone rings, and I tug it out.Mammais displayed on the screen, and I blow out a shaky breath, shoving it back in my pocket.I’m not ready.

I head to the bathroom, and Charlotte follows me. “You can take whatever drawer, vanity, cabinet you want.”

“Noah.”

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