Chapter 34
Thirty-Four
REESE
“Finally!” I pull the rest of the thread through the needle. My fingers aren’t as stable as they normally are, and I’m blaming Malaki’s last text for that.
I eye my phone laying beside me on the bed and reread it again.
Future Mrs. Young.
What do I say to that?
I most definitely can’t respond in the way that my heart is telling me to, because it’s obvious that I’m becoming delusional.
Malaki and his witticism aren’t helping matters either. He’s easygoing, and flirty, and completely unaware of how much his chivalry means to me. Which is why I have to remind myself that what’s brewing between us isn’t long-term—or even real.
My phone vibrates again.
Malaki
What are you doing?
I’m currently sitting on his bed, trying to convince myself that I’m not actually fantasizing about us being something real one day.
Malaki
Charleigh must be in bed. Which means you’re working on one of those needlepoint things, huh?
I pause my threading.
He already knows me too well.
I grab my phone and take a photo of my current project resting along my legs and type a follow-up text that says,
What are you doing?
If it were anyone else I was texting, I probably would have lied and said I was doing something different, but Malaki has never once made me feel silly or like my hobby was obsolete, so I’ll give him this one.
It takes him a little while to text back, but when he does, I slip into a state of insecurity.
I stare at the photo he sent–his large hand wrapped around a beer glass, the amber liquid almost gone. There are people in the background, though blurry, and I can’t help but wonder if this fake engagement is holding him back.
What if there is a woman there he wants to pursue?
I know we crossed the line the other night, and Malaki sure does have a way with words, but it’s not like we’re in a relationship. If I know what’s good for me, I won’t let us slip up again.
I look at the half-stitched R and sigh.
I’m starting to get invested in us–the ache in my chest tells me so.
Malaki
I’m supposed to be talking strategy with my coaches for the playoffs…
Me
But you’re at a bar instead?
I get through one stitch before my phone goes off again.
Malaki
No. I’m at dinner, Dimples…with my coaches. I’m just not really paying much attention.
Relief settles in my stomach—something I’m ashamed of.
Me
Then you better put your phone away and pay attention, Mr. Hockey Hotshot.
Malaki
I can’t.
Me
Why?
My head fills with all sorts of stupid things, like maybe he’s too busy thinking about me to pay attention.
Ugh.
I’m acting like a teenager, not a scorned woman with a baby who has too much at stake to fool around with a guy like Malaki.
“Ouch!” I immediately put my finger in my mouth to sooth the prick from the needle. Malaki has me so out of sorts that I just stabbed myself.
Malaki
Do you want the truth?
Do I?
I swallow and type:
Yes
.
Malaki
I’m a little distracted because you sent me a photo of you in my bed where it looks like you’re not wearing anything.
My body grows warm. I look at my embroidery hoop as it rests on top of my legs. Did I subconsciously send him a photo with me looking naked from the waist down?
God, I think I did.
Thankfully, I didn’t pan the camera up even farther, because then he’d see that I’m wearing one of his shirts and get the idea that I miss him or something.
I’d have to explain that all of mine are in the laundry, which would sort of…kind of…be a fib.
They are in the laundry.
The clean laundry, but who’s asking?
Malaki
Are you?
I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. My fingers move faster than my brain, and before it catches up, I send off a text that I shouldn’t.
Me
Guess you’ll just have to wonder.
I quickly put my phone face down on the bed to try to focus on my stitch pattern.
It takes a few minutes for the vibrating to start again. The anticipation is so much that I practically throw the embroidery hoop off my lap to grab my phone.
He’s video-calling!
Why is he video-calling me?!
I hit decline and toss it off to the side like it’s a bomb.
Malaki
Did you seriously just decline your fiancé’s call?
My phone vibrates again, and if there’s anything about Malaki I know, it’s his unwavering persistence.
I answer at the last second.
“You declined my call,” he says smoothly, his voice coaxing me into a state of delusion again.
His face comes into view, and his tight angular jaw paired with those blue eyes full of life do something wild to me.
“It…was an accident?” It comes out more of a question than anything.
Malaki chuckles, his lip lifting on one side. He glances away for a brief second before putting his attention back on me. His grin turns into a full-blown smile. “Are you wearing my shirt?”
My excuse is already locked and loaded.
I play it off by rolling my eyes. “Mine are in the laundry…that’s okay, right?”
Malaki’s neck bobs with a swallow, and the dark area he’s tucked himself into while on the phone with me puts shadows on the defined curve of his jaw. “You can wear my shirt every night if you want to. In fact, I prefer it.”
A breath catches in the back of my throat, and I hope he doesn’t notice.
“Hey,” someone says from nearby. “Food is ready.”
Malaki nods. “Be right there.”
“Did you need something?” I ask.
Malaki opens his mouth, closes it, shakes his head, and then opens it again. “Yeah,” he says, voice lower than before.
“Okay…” I let the word linger for a second. “What do you need?”
He stares at me through the phone. “You.”
My heart stops.
Every part of me knows I shouldn’t engage in this because the more lines we cross, the more willing I am to erase them.
I can’t think of a time where I’ve ever craved someone’s attention like this before.
In fact, I’ve forbidden myself from needing anyone or anything for years.
Yet, with Malaki involved…I can’t seem to remember that.
“Don’t stop texting me,” he rushes out.
Then he hangs up.
My phone remains in my hand, and I stare at it with shock.
What just happened?
An incoming text buzzes against my hand.
Malaki
I can’t stop thinking about the other night.
For a split second, I swoon. But then I banish it away and remember what’s at stake.
Malaki
Do you regret it?
My fingers fly across the screen.
Me
No.
I stare at my response with wide eyes and type another message.
Me
I mean yes!
Ugh!
Me
I don’t know.
I’m sweating. I pick up my needle and thread, as if needlepoint is going to distract me.
Malaki
You do know. You’re just trying to do what you think is right.
Me
How do you already know me so well?
I thought I was doing an okay job at keeping him at arm’s length, but I was painfully wrong.
Malaki
Because I pay attention.
Tell me something. Why does the other night have to be wrong?
Me
Because! There have to be boundaries.
It’s to protect Charleigh—and myself. If Malaki and I start complicating things by adding whatever this is to the mix and then it turns sour…we’ll be on the streets. Benedict will have an absolute heyday with that.
Malaki
You should trust your fiancé, Reese. We’re going to be married after all. There’s no need for boundaries.
I can almost picture his grin.
He never misses an opportunity to mention that we’re engaged.
Malaki
Do you trust me?
My fingers still above my phone, afraid to send the message.
Deep down, though, I know the answer.
I think he does too.
Me
Trust is a fickle thing.
It takes him a few minutes to text back, and by the time he does, I’m pacing the bedroom.
Malaki
That isn’t an answer.
He’s not going to give up until I answer him. I know it.
Malaki
Don’t let him make you untrusting, Dimples. He’s done enough.
My paces stop, my phone like a brick in my hand.
Malaki is playful and light-minded nine times out of ten, but then he says things that make me pause, and I realize he’s so much more than he lets on.
I type something that sends a line of fear through me.
Me
I do trust you.
I shut my eyes and flop onto the bed with my phone pressed against my chest.
Malaki texts back quickly.
Malaki
I won’t betray it.
Please don’t.
Malaki
But now…I have another question.