Page 11 of Say I'm Yours, Firecracker

Despite the strings.

He was waiting by his truck when the Uber driver dropped me off.

“Why didn’t you call me? I would have driven you.” His voice was gruff, his hair was down and wavy over his shoulders. I remembered running my hands through it once, the soft strands were cool against the heat searing between us.

“And how would I explain that to my two besties who wouldn’t be able to leave it alone?”

He nodded his head in thought, obviously thinking about how that would play out. “Fair.”

“So where’s my surprise?” I asked, hopping up onto the curb to gain a little height.

“I don’t remember promising you a surprise.” He said, sneakily.

“You absolutely did!” I said, playfully swatting at his crossed arms.

He caught my wrists in his big hands and pulled me in so my chest was against his. He planted a kiss on my cheek and ushered me inside.

“Come on, we can’t have you getting a cold now.”

I rolled my eyes, but relented. I unlocked the door and walked into my personal bubble. Glancing around the room, my eyes landed on the couch where Finn and I have had many conversations.

His hands landed on my hips as the door closed behind him. He twirled me around, and I looped my arms around his neck. Resting my head on his shoulder we stood there for a moment. Just listening to his heart beat in time with mine.

He gave me a squeeze and released me.

“I’m gonna change, make yourself at home.”

I threw my hair up into a bun and put on my most comfortable clothes. A silky sleep short and an oversized t-shirt.

He was seated on the couch, legs splayed wide like men do when they get comfortable.

“Okay, the suspense is killing me!” I said, unable to hide my excitement. I joined him on the couch, on my knees hovering over him.

“Alright. Alright.” He said, digging his phone from his pocket. He swiped through a few pictures before settling on a screenshot of a high rise not too far from here.

“What’s this?” I asked. I had an apartment, and as far as I knew Finn had a house in the city.

“It’s my new place, it’s closer than my condo now, so I can be here for all of your appointments and stuff.”

My eyes began to water, and my bottom lip poked out. It was the nicest thing he could have done. “You don’t have to move closer.” Something so big could only mean that he was serious about this. About us.

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to. It will make everything easier, especially when the baby comes.”

I was relieved that he wanted to, that it was all his idea and I didn’t have to bring it up. I didn’t want to ask him to move in with me, but nights with a baby could be long, and tiring.

“Maybe we could…” He began, “Spend a few nights together, before the baby comes?”

Getting attached to him was a bad idea. I already felt like my resolve was slipping. I looked forward to his texts, calls, even his company. Spending nights together would lead to more feelings, and scary things.

“I don’t know…” I started.

“You don’t have to have an answer now.” He interrupted. “Just, maybe next time I bring it up, could you try not to look like it’s the last thing on earth you want to do?” He laughed, and I tried not to be embarrassed that he knew me well enough to see the terror on my face. “Hurts a guy's ego.”

“I’m sorry.” I said, covering my face and leaning back against the couch.

“No, no, no.” He said, prying my hands away from my face. “You don’t get to hide those crimson cheeks.”

“Yes I do!” I screeched as he started tickling my sides.

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