Page 35 of After this Summer
“There isnowhereI’d rather be.” Her hand presses gently against my belly as the photographer snaps a picture, the moment unscripted but so beautiful.
I feel like a bride, my favorite tan cowboy boots with the white stitching on my feet and a white flowy dress that hits right above my knees keeping me comfortable but still like I’m about to get married.
Married.
Again.
But maybe…
“Are you questioning whether or not my brother actually loves you? Because anyone with eyes can see he’s a mess over you.”
Jesse’s words have played over and over in my mind since I’d seen him at the barn. I’d been so focused on trying to separate my feelings where Beau’s concerned but he’s never wavered in the way he cares for me.
The way he loves me.
He loves me.
I know he does.
And if I’m honest, I love him too and not just because I’m carrying his baby or because I’m still so lost in my professional life.
But because he’s the steadiest person in my world. He’s humored every middle of the night craving, never complained when I get up forty-seven times to use the bathroom or when I needed another fan because apparently I get hot flashes now.
But only sometimes.
And I never know when I want to cuddle and when I don’t.
He brought me back to myself.
He’d heard me in the truck and he heard me in the house when we’d gotten home from the courthouse. I’d been reeling and he grounded me—made me feel present and loved and worthy.
Worshipped.
Sexy.
Empowered.
“Where’s my phone?” I ask frantically, my heart racing like a runaway train. Elora smiles as she hands it to me.
“Everything all right?”
“Yes, of course. I just…”
My words trail off as I type out a text—not to Beau, but to Jesse.
INDIE: It’s not fake
JESSE: I know
INDIE: Or temporary
JESSE: I know that too
INDIE: I need to see him
Three little dotsappear and then disappear before his message comes in.
JESSE: Give me five minutes and go downstairs to the kitchen. Walk to the right out the door and wait at the corner – he’ll be there.
