Chapter 56 Beatrice
BEATRICE
Ihad a bath, but I’d be lying if I said it did anything to help the emptiness in my chest after Everett ran from me.
And in the hope of distracting myself, after stuffing all my useless clothes in the closet—out of sight, out of mind, yeah right—I propped myself against the headboard, opened my laptop, and got to work.
But it didn’t help. My head was spinning with everything he said, the memory of the way his breath rushed over my heated skin, the brush of his lips against the shell of my ear, and the protective way his hands covered my belly.
I feel like somehow, somewhere, I did something wrong. But other than begging him for more—which, surely, can’t be wrong—I can’t figure it out.
He wanted me. It was written all over his face. And when he pressed his body against mine, the evidence was right there against my ass.
But maybe he didn’t want to want me.
“Ugh,” I groan, as I try to force myself to read and fully take in the email from my accountant that’s open before me. I’ve attempted it at least four times now, but as soon as I start reading, my mind drifts.
I glance at the clock on the screen. He’s been gone almost two hours. The message I’ve sent him has gone unread, and I’m starting to get concerned. My mind is spinning, creating stupid ideas of things he could be doing right now…
He was turned on. What if he called an old hook-up to fix the issue?
What if he drove off angry and distracted and got in an accident?
What if…
I shake my head, grab my cell, and pull up Parker’s contact.
I hesitate, not really knowing what I want to say, but also needing to know he’s okay.
I tap out a message, asking if she’s heard from him, but before I get a chance to hit send, the front door slams again.
My heart jumps into my throat. I drop my cell on the bed as heavy footsteps thump this way.
Oh God.
He’s angry. He’s really—
My thoughts die the second he marches into my room, his face softer and more relaxed than I was expecting. He places a bag on my bed.
“W-what’s that?” I stutter.
“It’s for you.”
With a deep frown marring my brow, I abandon my laptop and shuffle closer on my knees.
My hand trembles lightly as I pull the bag open and shift the tissue paper aside.
My eyes widen when I find a pile of fabric staring back up at me.
“It’s just some basics. And if any of it is wrong, we can exchange it tomorrow.”
Tears flood my eyes as I pull out two pairs of maternity leggings, a pretty floral dress, a couple of T-shirts, shorts, jeans, and…“You bought me underwear?”
“I…umm…” He hesitates, vigorously rubbing the back of his neck. “You said that…” His eyes drop to my breasts. “That they, umm…”
I pull the bralettes from the bag and study them. They’re perfect. But— “Everett,” I gasp, my eyes locked on the price tag. It’s only then that I really look at the bag with its gold foiling and pretty ribbon handles.
It’s the most exclusive baby store in the city. Their clothes are featured all over the place. Their clothing and nursery furniture are beyond beautiful, but also the things of dreams for most people.
Everett Donnelly isn’t most people.
“You must have spent a fortune,” I chastise.
There was a time in my life when designer brands like this were normal. But everything has changed now.
“You’re worth it.”
I lower the bralette to my lap before dragging my eyes up to his.
“I thought you were mad at me. I thought…” A hiccup erupts.
He steps forward before lowering his ass to the edge of my bed.
“You thought what, sweetheart?” he asks softly.
I drop my head, ashamed that I assumed the worst of him.
“I thought you’d gone out and found someone else to…spend time with,” I mutter quietly.
There’s a beat of silence, allowing my shame to burn even hotter.
“Jesus, Bea. Didn’t you hear a word I said to you back there?” I don’t look up, but I know he’s glancing over at my mirror. “I meant everything I said. I went out to get you some things to help you feel as beautiful as I see you.”
I drop my head into my hands. “I’m sorry.”
His arm snakes around my shoulder as he pulls me into him.
“Shush. You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sorry I stormed off and let you think I was mad. I was just…if I stayed longer then…fuck, Bea. I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself.”
I squeeze my eyes closed, because it’s getting harder and harder to deny that I didn’t want him to.
Neither of us says anything else, and his hold on me never lessens.
“Are you hungry?” he finally whispers, his lips against my hair.
“We already had dinner,” I remind him.
“Exactly. We didn’t have dessert.”
I pull my head from his chest and look up at him.
The softest smile plays on his lips, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make my chest tighten.
“What are we talking …”
“What if I were to say I went to the waffle shop?”
My stomach growls right on cue, my mouth watering.
“I’d say, I hope you didn’t get ice cream on them, because they'll be a melted mess by now.”
He chuckles. “I’ve got it all under control,” he says, finally releasing me and pushing to his feet. “Did you want to try all this on first or—”
“Waffles,” I blurt before racing past him and out to the kitchen where I find another bag waiting.
“You got hot chocolate, too,” I cry when I pull the lid off one of the takeout cups.
“Oh my god,” I breathe as I take my first sip of the rich, chocolatey goodness.
“I think I love you,” I add before going for more while Rett pulls a tub of ice cream from his freezer to finish off our feast.
He freezes as my words hit him, and I do too. But he quickly recovers as if I never voiced them. But while he might be able to ignore them, I can’t help but wonder if they’re entirely too true.
Everything I’ve learned about Everett is so far removed from the man I thought he was that first night. Okay, sure, he’s still arrogant as hell, but now I know that it’s a cover for the sweet and thoughtful man that hides beneath.
“She wanted to book us in first thing in the morning so you can select more items, but I said that wouldn’t work for you. So we’re going after you’ve finished work.”
“She? Uh…what?”
“The store where I got your clothes. I told the manager you needed an entire wardrobe, but that you’d want to choose the rest yourself. So we’re going back tomorrow evening. Have you seen their baby furniture? It’s stunning.”
I gawp at him. “I know everything in here is dark, and they do have a walnut range which would fit in perfectly, but for some reason, I really loved the white range.”
“You…” I shake my head.
“What? We’re going to need all that stuff. I know it’s a while away, but there’s no harm in looking and making plans.”
My stomach knots at what those plans will entail. Will I even be living here when that time comes, or will we have separated by then? Will all this be over? One thing I know for sure: I won’t be moving back into my apartment.
“I’m letting my apartment go,” I confess.
“Good,” Everett says as he slides my waffle over.
“That’s all you’ve got to say?” I ask.
“What else is there to say? You live here now,” he states before shoving a forkful of waffle in his mouth.
“That store had dresses that might be suitable for Linc and Parker’s engagement party. But if you don’t like them, we can—”
“I can just order something online.”
He stares at me across the island.
“We’ll find you something perfect,” he promises.
“Your man’s here,” Sienna announces, and when I look up, I find Everett walking into the salon with a backward baseball cap on with his too-long blond hair curling around the edges, a simple white T-shirt that clings to all his muscles, and a pair of ripped jeans, his hands stuffed into the pockets.
“Afternoon, ladies. I’m here to steal your boss.”
Rachel giggles. Savvy fans herself, and Lessy swings her empty chair around and offers to give him a trim, which he declines.
“You know, you should probably take her up on that offer,” I point out. “Your blond is growing out.”
“Maybe I want you to do it?” he asks, his eyes never leaving mine as I walk toward him, feeling a lot more comfortable in my new clothes.
The only problem is that previously I looked overweight; now with the right clothing, I look pregnant, and we’re yet to announce our relationship, let alone that.
We need to get a move on if we don’t want others to start circulating stories first.
“I’m not a hairdresser,” I point out.
“I’m sure you’re more than capable.”
He’s right. I am. But that doesn’t mean I have the confidence to touch his hair. Our photos will be everywhere soon. Imagine if I screwed it up.
“You need to get it done before the party. Parker won’t have you looking a mess.”
“Ugh,” he complains. “Has she messaged you about it, too?”
I can’t help but laugh. “No, but I have eyes.”
He presses his hand over his heart. “Ouch. I’m still ruggedly handsome and totally fuckable though, right?”
“Oh my god,” one of the girls gasps behind me.
“I never said you were either of those things.”
“The maternity pants you’re wearing tell a different story,” he deadpans as I gather my purse in front of me, hiding my belly, and head for the door.
“Have a fun evening,” Sienna calls. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Doesn’t leave much off the table,” I deadpan as Everett’s hand presses against the small of my back.
“It’s a good thing I love you,” Sienna calls.
“Love you, too,” I shout back.
“I’ve booked us a table for after our shopping trip. Thought tonight could be our second date,” he confesses nervously as we stop beside his ostentatious sports car.
“Oh?” I question, my freak-out yesterday coming back to me. “I was starting to think you didn’t want to be seen with me,” I tease, even though my words hit a little too close to home.
“Are you kidding? Why wouldn’t I want to be seen with the most beautiful woman in the world?”
“Oh, shit. Is your date with someone else?”
He laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “You’re funny,” he says as he crowds me against the side of his car.
“Everett, people can see,” I whisper, nervously glancing left and right to see if anyone is paying us attention.
“Isn’t that the point?” he asks, successfully turning my attention back to him.
My breath catches at the heat I find in his eyes.
“We want the world to know we’re together, right?”
“Right,” I agree.
“They need to believe we’re utterly obsessed with each other. That you’ve stolen my heart and ruined me for every other woman.”
“Uh huh.” My heart rate continues to increase, and my chest starts rising and falling rapidly as I wait for what Everett is going to do next.
His eyes bounce between mine, and the second I pull my bottom lip into my mouth, his gaze drops.
Warm breath rushes over my face, and when his eyes bounce back up to mine, even I believe that he might just actually be obsessed with me.
I’m lost in thoughts about how that might not actually be a bad thing, and I miss the moment he leans a little closer.
Everything comes back to me in glorious color, though, when his lips connect with mine.
Fire shoots through my veins, and I respond to him without a second thought. My hand wraps around his waist, tugging him closer as our lips part and our tongues collide.
And for the next few seconds, I put on the best act of my life.
Pretending to myself that it’s all for show.