Page 55 of Accidentally Falling
“Have you picked a name?”
“We can’t agree on a first name, but her middle name is going to be Harmony.”
Deacon sucks in a breath, his hand squeezing my shoulder as he bows his head. “That’s a good name. Mom would’ve loved that.”
“I didn’t think I’d need it but Arden insisted.”
“I’m glad she did. How’s she holding up?”
“She’s all right. She’s uncomfortable when she sleeps and pissed with how many times she has to pee, but other than that the pregnancy is movin’ along fine. Her mother is a different story, and so far Arden isn’t budging on us moving in together.”
“I don’t have anything to help with her mom but I do have an idea for the other thing.”
“Moving in with her?”
“Yeah, slide me another cupcake.”
“Done. Now tell me what you’ve got.”
29
JUDE
“So…”
Drawing out the word, I watch as Arden looks up, her fork halfway to her mouth as she narrows her eyes. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
Deacon’s plan was pretty ingenious, and it only took a week to make everything believable. And because I need this to work, I made her a crispy chicken wrap because it’s been her nonstop craving the last ten days.
“We need somewhere to stay,” I say casually, looking down at Dez who gives her the saddest puppy dog eyes I’ve ever seen.
Good boy.
He’s not begging for food, but he’s also not gonna miss an opportunity to catch a rogue snack either.
“What do you mean you need somewhere to stay?” Crossing her arms over herveryample chest, she looks like she’d be seconds away from adding a foot stomp if she was standing, and it takes everything in me to keep my expression neutral.
“Deacon started working on the kitchen remodel. Dez doesn’t like the noise.”
“Why can’t your brother wait?”
“Because it took forever for the permits to all go through.”
“So, if I call the town hall I won’t find out hejustapplied for them?” When I remain silent, she huffs, her cheeks heating as her foot starts bouncing against the bottom rung of the stool.
“Dez and I won’t take up much room.”
“Jude, youarethe room.” It’s probably supposed to be an insult but I can’t help the way my lips twitch. “Stop smiling,” she hisses as Dez thumps his tail against the floor with his tongue hanging out and a dopey look on his face as she points at him. “That’s not fair.”
“I don’t need it to be fair, Tennessee. Just needed it to work.”
“Then you cantemporarilystay in the guest room.” I open my mouth to speak but she shakes her head. “We’re not moving in together just because we’re having a baby.”
“You’ve mentioned that.”Repeatedly.
“And I’m going tokeepmentioning it because it’s important, Jude. I like you—I won’t say I don’t—but liking you doesn’t mean I need to marry you tomorrow or at all, and we won’t be living together when the baby comes.”
Keeping my face carefully neutral, I stare at her, a whole new level of patience I never knew I possessed unlocking as I stand here.
