Chapter 23
A PACKAGE DEAL
LYDIA
Fletcher takes my hand as we head into our apartment. It was a magical night, complete with everything I could ever want on a first date. It’s wild to think that I just went on a first date with Fletcher. We’ve officially shifted into the new territory, and honestly, it felt easy and oh so real.
“I had a great time tonight,” I say.
Fletcher drops my hand so I can bend over to unzip my boots and kick them off.
“Me too.” He’s quiet for a long moment, running his hands through his hair. He glances up at me, those green eyes burning with heat and a hint of trepidation. “Is it too soon to ask if you want to go on a second date?”
I can’t stop smiling at the boyish expression on his face. “No, not at all.”
“What do you say to next Thursday night?” He steps up close and holds me tight, his thumb rubbing small circles on my back.
I lean into the simple touch. “I’d have to check my calendar.”
Fletcher coughs out a laugh, squinting at the fridge. Of course, my insistence on keeping our schedules up to date is coming in handy. “The calendar doesn’t have anything on it for you besides work, so I think your schedule is clear.”
“Hmm. I think I’ll say yes, then.”
Fletcher’s eyes gleam, and he gives me an even more endearing smile. “Great. I’ll add it to the calendar.”
“Can’t wait.”
He pulls me in for another hug and kisses the top of my head. I rest my cheek against his chest, listening to his heart thump rapidly.
“When’s your next baby appointment?” he asks, surprising me.
“Not for a few weeks.” My first real appointment was a few weeks ago, and I go once a month for now until later in my pregnancy.
“Would you…” He clears his throat. “Could I maybe come to the next one?”
I pull back so I can look into his eyes. “You’d want to come?”
He nods slowly. “Only if you want me there. I’m all in, Lydia. And I know you’re a package deal with the baby, so I’ll do whatever you need to show you that.”
He has such a kind and genuine heart, I know I could trust him with it. If I let myself, I could easily fall for him. He’d be right there to catch me, and my baby, too.
“Yeah. I want you there. We may have to rearrange our schedules, but we can make it work.” I rest my hand over his pounding heart and follow my gut, standing on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek for the second time tonight.
The warmth of his cheek and the stubble from his beard sends a tingle through my body and a swoop through my belly.
The moment reminds me of earlier, when I accidentally turned at the right moment, and our lips just barely touched.
It was shocking in the best way. I couldn’t help but reach up and touch my lips to make sure what I’d felt was real.
If the soft half-kiss felt that good and surprised me so much, I have no idea what I’ll do when we actually kiss for the first time.
I pull back and brush some of the tousled hair from his face.
“Thank you.” Hopefully, the simple words convey how much I feel. I can’t stop the yawn that falls from my mouth.
“Alrighty, time for bed, Lydi-bug.” He takes my hand, squeezing gently and leading me down the hall to my bedroom.
We stop outside my closed door, and I realize I don’t want this night to end. It’s been perfect from start to finish. I want more.
I turn and rest my back against the door in the dark hall. When I look up at him, there’s a new expression on his face, one I’m unfamiliar with. Fletcher tucks a hair behind my ear and drags his thumb across my cheekbone.
“Good night, Lydia,” he says, breathless.
I reach up to rest my palm flat on his chest. “I don’t think I’m ready for this night to be over.”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “Me neither, but we’re going to take this slow.”
I want to pout. I’m desperate for his lips on mine, even for a quick kiss.
“Don’t give me that look.”
“What look?”
Fletcher groans, resting his forehead on mine. “I have a plan.”
His breath is hot against my skin, and a shiver wracks through my body as my heart pounds.
“What is your plan?”
“That’s for me to know, and for you to find out.” Fletcher pulls away for only a moment before pressing his lips to my forehead in a long kiss. “Good night.”
He steps backward into his bedroom.
“Good night, Fletcher,” I say, even though it’s the last thing I want.
I stay here for a moment after he closes his door, then go into my room, sitting down on the edge of my bed to process this night.
I knew I would have a great time. It’s Fletcher, after all.
He knows me better than anyone. But I never expected the immediate shift in our friendship, or the way sparks would fly between us at the slightest contact.
I have to talk to someone about this. Get all my excitement and nerves out. Usually, I’d talk to Fletcher about this type of thing, but for obvious reasons, I can’t. I pull my phone out and open the thread with Zoey and Grace. It’s late, past ten, but maybe they’re still up.
Me
Is anyone awake?
Zoey
Yep, what’s up?
Grace
Seconded.
I glance at my closed bedroom door. It would be easier to call them, but there is no way Fletcher would have fallen asleep that fast. I groan a little, then start typing.
Me
Fletcher and I went on a date tonight. And not just like a “oh, we’re just hanging out as friends” kind of date.
No. It was a full-fledged date. I didn’t tell you guys before because I wasn’t exactly sure how it would go, but oh my god.
It was amazing. He took me to a little Christmas festival in a small town, and it was perfect.
I send the message, then continue typing.
Me
He was so sweet. We held hands the whole time, and when he went to kiss my cheek, I turned a little on accident and he caught the corner of my lips with his, and you guys.
I’ve never felt a spark like that before from an accidental kiss.
It wasn’t even a full kiss! Am I going to die when we actually kiss?
And he didn’t kiss me good night because he has a “plan that is for him to know and me to find out.” Did I step into an alternate reality? What is happening? Is this my life? HELP.
Zoey
Yayy! Oh, I was hoping this would happen eventually. You two would be perfect together.
Grace
I love this!
What are you freaking out about? It sounds like it was an amazing night!
Me
It was! I’m not really freaking out, more so… unsure of what to do with myself. I didn’t want the night to end. I wanted more.
Zoey
I think it’s admirable that he wants to take it slow. I think it shows you that he’s in it to stay. This isn’t a one-night-only thing for him.
Grace
Agreed.
Me
No, I also agree. He’s said that so many times, but I just don’t know how to process this. I never expected this sudden rush of feelings for him after one date. Sure, I always found him attractive, but I assumed he was never interested.
Grace
I love you to death, Lydia. I do.
Me
Okay?
Grace
But anyone with two eyes can see that Fletcher has been in love with you for a long time. He says I love you all the time.
Zoey
Yep.
Me
Now you’re being ridiculous. He’s not in love with me.
Grace
Okay.
Me
He’s not! Maybe he has a really really strong crush, or his feelings are developing fast like mine are, but no. There’s no way he’s already in love with me. And again, we say I love you all the time, that doesn’t mean he’s in love with me.
Zoey
Okay.
Grace
When’s your next date?
Me
Ugh. Fine, change the subject.
Grace
You’re in denial. It’s fine. But you’ll see.
Me
Next week. Thursday night.
Oh, and he offered to come with me to my next baby appointment.
Zoey
That’s adorable.
Grace
CUTTEEE. Okay. This is going to be amazing, Lydia, I can already tell.
Me
Whatever you say. I need to get to bed, but we should get coffee this weekend. Are you guys going to a game soon?
Grace
Not until Christmas break.
Zoey
Ugh, I wish. Vincent has a ton of work commitments and Christmas parties, so I’m out until the New Year.
Grace
Ugh. Ditch him.
Me
Agreed.
Zoey
Can’t. But let's plan a coffee date!
Me
I’m crashing. Talk tomorrow!
Grace
Love you bitches.
Me
Love you!
Zoey
Love youuuuu