Page 50 of Mating of Convenience
Could I make that happen, though?
I knew Nathan was trying not to put any pressure on me, but the truth was that I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
We hadn’t used protection back in France, but I knew that I wasn’t pregnant. I just knew. It wasn’t going to be that easy for me. I told Nathan we could keep trying, but what if it never worked?
I let myself fall back onto the mattress with a sigh.
There was nothing I hated more than feeling like there was something I couldn’t do.
24
Nathan
Seeing my dog again was the best thing. Sure, I’d only been gone for a few days, but I’d missed Michel, and the little scoundrel had obviously missed me too, judging by the enthusiastic greeting he gave me.
Then again, it didn’t matter if I’d been gone ten minutes, ten hours or ten days, Michel was always ecstatic to see me return. He jumped up at me, placing his paws on my belly and if I hadn’t been expecting his joy, he might have toppled me over.
“Easy there, big guy,” I told him, running my fingers into the soft fur behind his ears. “I missed you too.”
Michel barked as if to tell me about all the adventures he’d had the past few days, probably playing with Aaron’s dog—a tiny Chihuahua by the name of Sarge who had more bite than his bark suggested. He’d run onto the street in front of Aaron’s motorbike one day and the two of them had been inseparable ever since.
Honestly, it was kind of hilarious to see Aaron ride his big black bike with his cute little dog poking his head out of the pet carrier behind him.
Aaron didn’t mind when people laughed, though. He loved his dog, and why not? Sarge was awesome. Almost as awesome as Michel was, but I might be a little biased.
I hugged my dog and then I glanced at Aaron.
“Did he behave?”
“Of course he did. He knows better than to misbehave around me.” He clapped Michel on the back. “Don’t you, buddy?”
Michel turned to lick Aaron’s hand. Michel loved Aaron, but then, there probably wasn’t a dog in town who didn’t.
“Will you be walking your usual tour again tomorrow?” Aaron asked.
“Yeah, I guess. I’m looking forward to it.” Dog-walking wasn’t my dream job, but it was enjoyable--and much much better than the classes I had to teach before I got to hang out with fur-buddies. “Also, uh... I guess I’m moving.” I figured now was as good a time to tell Aaron as any. My head was still reeling from the events of the day--of the whole weekend, really--and who better to talk to than a friend who could offer a more objective point of view?
“You’re moving? Why? Where to? Wait, you’re not leaving town, are you? Don’t do that to me, man. I know you’re having a rough time with your past love and all, but--“
“It’s not because of Raphael. Well, I guess it kind of is,” I admitted, “but I’m not leaving town.We’renot leaving town. We’re just moving together. His grandmother bought us a house on Merelot Lane.”
“What, seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously.”
Aaron looked at me, then at my dog--whom I was still petting--and then he stepped aside. “Why don’t you come in for a moment?”
I nodded, grateful for the invitation. Aaron was right; this was probably not something we should discuss where we could be overheard. The people of this townlovedtheir gossip. They would all know soon enough that Raphael and I had married and were moving in together, but they didn’t have to know the circumstances that had led us there.
“I got coffee ready if you want some,” Aaron offered. “I know I don’t make it strong enough for you, but it’s there if you want it.”
“Thank you,” I said, figuring it was better than nothing. “I could use some caffeine right now.”
“I’m not surprised. I mean, I’m surprised at a lot of things, but not at your need for caffeine, my friend.” He walked into the kitchen and I followed him, Michel sticking to my side as if glued there.
“So Raph and you are moving together into a house that Raph’s grandmother bought for you now that you’ve returned from your honeymoon in Paris,” Aaron summarized my situation as he got a mug for me out of his kitchen cupboard and poured the liquid of the Gods into it.
“Pretty much. Thank you.” I took the coffee from him and sipped at it. It wasn’t hot enough to scald my tongue anymore and once I realized that, I just kept sipping until I’d emptied the mug in one go. “Do you have more?”
