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I am. That’s who.
“Baths are good,” I mumble like an idiot. “They’re warm…and…soothing.”
I now see why she refuses to fuck me again. I can barely complete a sentence.
If I had looked away, I might have missed it, but something I very rarely witness happens. Tenley smiles…at me, and it might just be the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. “Yeah, August. Baths are good.” She grins and doesn’t try to hide it.
“You should do that more. It looks good on you,” I tell her honestly.
“Do what?”
“Smile. It’s a great smile.”
Her cheeks flush and if I’m reading her correctly, I’d say a look of shyness washes over her. She’s an anomaly. Someone I may think I know well, but I’m realizing very quickly just how much I still have to learn about.
I’ll put in the work if it gets her to trust me.
“Thank you,” she whispers, before casting a glance into the kitchen, seeking out the bags I brought in. “What’s all that?”
“That, sweet cheeks, is research.” I quickly stand and reach for her hand to help her up before guiding her to the small kitchen island. “I can tell you this—I know absolutelynothingabout a woman’s body like I thought I did. I’m not too proud to admit it either.”
Tenley chuckles and settles herself on the barstool. “You went shopping,” she states matter-of-factly. “What’d you buy?”
“Only anything and everything a pregnant woman could want. At least I think so. I may have used the internet a bit.” I pull out, quite literally, the largest pillow I’ve everseen in my life. It looks like some type of deformed crescent.
“A pregnancy pillow!” Tenley squeals. “I’ve been wanting one of these! I just haven’t had the chance to go out and buy one.”
I’ll buy them all for you, Mama. Just say the word.
Seeing her excited about something as insignificant as a pillow causes a thundering in my chest. I’m the lucky fuck who get’s to experience Tenley’s happiness firsthand.
And better yet, I caused it. That may make me cocky, but I’ll take it. Whatever gets me into her good graces.
“But wait…there’s more.” I reveal massive tubs of lotion and read the label. “Belly butter. Wait, what’s belly butter? Shit. Is this the wrong thing?” I ask, suddenly confused by my own purchase.
Tenley’s laughter builds, her eyes turning watery. “Oh my god, this is hilarious. It’s for my stomach. It helps prevent stretch marks.”
I sneer, smelling it just in case. “Why call it butter?”
She shakes her head and snorts. “Not a clue.”
Almost forgetting one of the most important purchases, I hold up two clear bags. “And then when the nausea really hits, you have options.” I lift the first bag in front of her, watching as she examines it closely. I also take the chance to examineher. The natural color of her soft lips looks almost dark pink, like the shade of raspberries. The freckles that dust along her nose contrast so well with her blue eyes.
Those eyes do me in.
“Ginger,” I announce, shifting my attention to the first bag.
Tenley’s smile widens. “That’s real ginger.” She scrunches up her nose in uncertainty.
Yeah, I had a feeling that was the wrong kind…
“Not a sushi girl?” I ask her and she shakes her head. “That’s a crying shame. But it’s a good thing I came prepared.”
I hold up the other bag filled with crystallized, candied ginger. “Voila.”
“Candied ginger?” Her brows slant. “Never tried it.”
“How about I be the taste tester?” I ask her, grabbing one and plopping it into my mouth.
