Page 78 of About That One Night
She yawns, her eyes still heavy with sleep. “You were here until three in the morning.”
“Only because you kicked me out of your bed,” I tease, running my hands down her sides.
She glances at her tiny bed, biting her lip. “We don’t fit there.”
“Which is why we should be taking this party to my apartment,” I argue, raising an eyebrow.
“Not again,” she groans, rolling her eyes.
I cup her face gently. “How are you today?” Then I bend down to kiss her belly. “Hi, baby. You should have a serious conversation with your mother about the living situation.”
“Don’t include our kid in this discussion,” she protests, but I catch the hint of a smile.
“You haven’t told me how you’re feeling today,” I press, concern creeping into my voice. “Last night I stayed late because you had a bad stomachache and acid reflux.”
“The hot water helped,” she mumbles, leaning into me. “I miss tea.”
“The lavender tea I ordered should arrive today—at my penthouse,” I say, trying to entice her to come with me afterward.
I know it’s early, but I’ve started to make a few changes so she can feel at home. That, and I also have a few listings for places we might want to see. We have to have a house with a backyard close to a park so our kids can ride a bike or . . . have fun with the neighborhood friends the way Liam, Ethan, Caleb, and I did.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “I wanted to discuss work—your firm. The last time we spoke about it, you mentioned you only have a few clients.”
“It’s a work in progress,” she states defensively, her jaw tightening.
“Of course, it’s new, and you need to build your clientele. I understand,” I say carefully. “However, while that’s happening, maybe you want to move to an office within the security building so you can save on rent? And we can add you to my insurance, so I can help you with the medical bills.”
She hesitates, her expression softening slightly. “As much as I would like to say no, I will accept the insurance part. It’ll be cheaper for both of us in the long run.”
I nod, relief washing over me. “How about the office?”
“I have a six-month lease that I can’t break. We can revisit that later before I have to renew.” She chews on the inside of her cheek. “Maybe I need to search for another job.”
I raise an eyebrow, studying her face. “Is that what you want?”
“No, but probably what I need. Getting pro bono cases is easy. Paying clients is so hard though.” She sighs, her shoulders slumping as she looks down.
“What if you only handle pro bono cases, or charge based on how much they can pay?” I suggest, reaching out to tilt her chin up. “Somehow, I feel that’ll make you happy.”
She smiles, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. “It’ll make me happy but won’t pay the bills.”
“You do have a boyfriend who can do the latter for you,” I remind her, my lips curving into a gentle smile.
She arches an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk. “My boyfriend has to remember that I’m no Cinderella who needs to be rescued.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “You’re not. You’re actually a warrior who can save the prince—any prince. However, I’m giving you the opportunity to save several kingdoms. Wouldn’t that make you happier?”
She glares at me, yet there’s a softness deep in her eyes. And then, the waterworks begin. “Oh, I hate when you’re trying to be nice to me, McCallister.”
I take her into my arms, her body fitting perfectly against mine. “You only hate it because it makes you cry.”
“Sob like a baby,” she murmurs, her voice thick with emotion.
“So what do you say?” I ask, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
“Can I think about it?” She sniffles, looking up at me with watery eyes.
I pull a tissue from my pocket (I learned to carry them with me the same day I learned we’re having a baby) and gently wipe her tears. Then I lean in, our faces inches apart. I can see the emotion swirling in her eyes, the mixture of strength and vulnerability that makes her so unique.
