Stuck With You: 4 Bestselling Forced Proximity Romances by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brittainy Cherry, Melanie Harlowe, Adriana Locke, Kandi Steiner
Published: 2024-11-05T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

* * *

Ellie

It had been a week since the ultrasound.

A week since Gianni and I had held hands and listened to our baby’s heartbeat together. A week since I’d foolishly let my hopes rise once more.

He’d seemed so moved by the experience, and I’d felt so close to him. I thought for sure he’d say something on the ride home, or want to talk when we got there. But he’d said nothing, so I’d said nothing, and I was left wondering if I’d imagined the connection in the doctor’s office.

But every morning, he continued to bring me breakfast from Plum & Honey, sometimes scones, sometimes a cinnamon bun, sometimes an apple crumble muffin—all things Winnie’s mom knew I loved. Sometimes I was too queasy to eat them, but I always appreciated the gesture. He’d stay long enough to ask how I was feeling, how things were going for me, and for the first time, I felt like he listened to my answers. He often followed up on things I’d said the day before, which made me feel like he’d been thinking about me. One afternoon I came back from lunch to find a jar of peanut butter, a bag of M&M’s, and a spoon on my desk, and it made me laugh.

He was attentive, sweet, and supportive, but he never tried to kiss me again, or hold my hand, or suggest there was an us.

And he was leaving tomorrow.

Not only leaving, but he’d asked me to drive him to the airport. I’d actually have to watch him walk away from me.

It should have made me happy that he was going—I’d be rid of him and this horrible ache in my heart, this ridiculous fantasy that he’d suddenly choose me over his career or his freedom. I should have been relieved that he hadn’t broken his contract. I needed time apart, days and nights where I didn’t have to see his concern for me or hear him laugh at something I said or watch him across the kitchen at work and be reminded so viscerally of the way he’d made me feel. I should have been happy about all of it.

But I wasn’t happy. I was miserable. Lonely. Scared.

But there was nothing I could do about it.

***

After his final night at Etoile, he came over to where I was putting wineglasses away. “Hey,” he said. “Still good to give me a ride tomorrow?”

“Yes.” I focused on the glass I was putting on the shelf.

“Everything okay?”

“Fine.”

“You don’t seem fine.”

“I’m tired. And hungry.”

“Let me make you something to eat.”

“That’s not necessary.” I placed another glass on the shelf.

“Come on, I want to.” He poked my shoulder. “I’ll even make you a fancy grilled cheese. Aren’t those your favorite?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “Did I tell you that?”

“You mentioned it once.” He tapped his temple. “And I paid attention.”

I smiled ruefully. “I guess you did.”

“Give me fifteen minutes. You go sit in the dining room and relax.”

Etoile’s dining room was dark and silent. I chose a spot over by the window and lit the candle on the table.

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