Inside Out - Lauren Dane [91]
“I was a shampoo girl when I was in high school. For gas money.”
He laughed. “Feel free to practice on me anytime.”
Later, as they perched on his bed eating takeout, he leaned in and kissed her. “Thank you for the letter. I haven’t had anyone make me a mixtape in a very long time. What came over you, by the way?”
She expertly wielded her chopsticks, spearing a mushroom and popping it into her mouth. “You mean the letter or the way you looked like a dirty, dirty carpenter wet dream when I came in and then had to have you?”
“You’re a wonder to me. You know that?” He stole a spring roll from her plate, and she sent him an arched brow.
“I can’t be the first woman to see you all sweaty and work-mussed and have her hormones shoot into overdrive at the very sight.”
“The first woman who mattered. Yes.”
She smiled and ducked her head in the way he’d come to love seeing when it was sweet, not so much when it was from her embarrassment or shame over something from her past though.
“I missed you. You were there and you looked . . . God, I don’t know. Just all über manly and stuff. You touched the wood like you touch me. I love to watch you working.”
“I like it when you don’t hold back with me. Makes me feel like superman.”
She blushed. “You feel that way to me too.”
She knew just what to say.
“Did you bring a bag? Because I’m beginning to crave you in the middle of the night.”
“I did. Didn’t bother with pajamas as you only get annoyed when you have to wade through any clothing at all to get to me.”
“It’s your fault for being so irresistible.”
His cell phone rang. “Sorry, Red, it’s Ben’s ring. I need to get it.”
18
“Oh my god, if you people don’t leave me alone, I’m going to . . . I don’t know, but it’ll be bad.”
Ella looked at Erin, saw the annoyance first and then the worry just beneath it. Elise turned, worry on her face too.
“Hey, why don’t you go call your mom?” Ella touched Cope’s hand. He’d been tight and stressed-out since the call came in from Ben that Erin was in the hospital. “I’ll come get you if anything happens. You know she’d want to know.”
He let out a long breath. “I don’t want to leave just in case they need me.”
“You want me to call for you?”
“No. Fuck. She can wait. It can wait.”
“Okay then.” She took a step back, knowing being hurt was silly. He was worried about the baby. They all were.
“Ella, make them all go.” Erin reached a hand out, and Ella stepped forward to take it.
“Baby, you need to stay still and let them fuss.” Ella squeezed the hand not hooked up to the BP cuff.
“Elise. Come on, tell them it’s okay.”
Elise stepped closer, putting her chin on Ella’s shoulder. “They know. But they love you and the baby, and they worry.”
“There are too many people in here.” A nurse bustled in and glared. “All but the mom and her two men. Y’all need to go. There’s a waiting room if you wish. But she’s going to drink this and then rest for a while before we release her tomorrow. Best thing is to go home and wait.”
Ben’s shoulders slumped, and Ella turned, hugging him. Just needing him to know she cared. He sniffled and hugged her back. “Can I get you guys anything? How about some blankets and pillows? I know you’ll both be staying here with her overnight.”
“Could you?” Ben looked down at her, so much worry on his face that her heart ached for him.
“Of course. I’ll run to your place right now.” She turned to Erin. “Do you want me to bring anything specific?”
She got a list and directions to where everything was and kissed Erin’s cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll bring you back some Red Mill too. For you, O Pregnant One, I’ll make you something healthy instead.”
“Pffft. Healthy. Healthy sucks.” Erin pouted, and Todd kissed the top of her head.
“I know, doll. But once the wee one is out, you can go back to your normal diet.” Ella patted her hand. “I’ll be back