Before Now (Sometimes Never 2)

I rip the plastic off as I saunter back into the room and crawl over Lucy’s legs. I drop the bottle on the bed and she arches a brow, a slow smile lifting wickedly on her lips.

“I think I like where this is heading.”

“You’re going to love where this is heading,” I promise.

I slip her tank top off of her. She settles back, looking up at me expectantly. I pop the cap and start drizzling a thin line up her leg, over her knee, across her thigh, her hip bone, and finally make a circle around her belly button.

I touch the ring there. “Are you going to be able to keep this?”

She shrugs slowly. “I’ll keep it as long as I can.”

“That’s good. I like it,” I say as I lower my mouth to her leg. I work my tongue over the smooth skin there, lapping up every bit of chocolate. As I make my way up her thigh, Lucy whimpers breathlessly and I make a detour because as good as the chocolate tastes, I know for a fact that she tastes better.

Her hips rise in a reaction I’m not sure she’s even aware of. I slide my hand up, my fingers resting in the thick, dark syrup. I pull back, letting it drip from my fingers to coat her and I savor this experience. It doesn’t take long for Lucy to float off the edge.

She forgets about the rest of the sticky mess on her stomach as she pulls me up. She wipes away a smear of chocolate from beside my lip and I suck her finger into my mouth before easing into her gently. She makes the best damn sound as I find my pace.

“I’ve missed you,” she murmurs.

***

“Where do you want this one?” I ask, holding up the next silk butterfly. Bree and Jessie jumped on the idea of moving in with each other. We all decided it would be easier for Lucy to move in with me. Two stories are easier than three with a baby.

So now I’m hanging her butterfly collection from my ceiling.

“Right here,” she says, pointing at an open spot. I move the crate I’m using as a makeshift ladder and press the tack into place.

“So I was thinking,” I state as I hop down. “Since you can’t drink because you’re pregnant, I’m not going to either.”

She doesn’t respond, so I turn around to make sure she heard me. She jumps into me and I barely catch her before I fall backwards onto the bed.

Lucy kisses me deeply and I wish I had made this announcement sooner.

She pulls back, straddling my lap. Her hand smoothes over my chin. “You know, I can’t smoke either.”

I cock an eyebrow and regard her seriously. “You didn’t smoke before you were pregnant. You didn’t have to give it up.”

“That’s true, I guess.”

I tuck her hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger. “Do you want me to quit smoking?”

“I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do. Our lives are changing enough.”

“That’s not what I asked,” I say.

“I wish you didn’t smoke because I know it shortens your life and I want you with me as long as possible.”

My heart starts beating out of control against my ribcage. She’s talking about the rest of our lives. She’s talking about forever.

“But,” she continues, “I know all you’ve given up for me, Park. I won’t ask you to lose anymore.”

“Lucy,” I rasp. “I haven’t lost anything. Hell, I don’t even remember anything before you. You’ve erased it all. All that shit from before, none of it matters. None of it means anything now. I tried to avoid this. Us. I tried to ignore the way I felt about you. But it just wouldn’t go away. Before now I just didn’t care. Before now I was just surviving. But now—now I have you and I know…I know I’ve gained everything. Because I want more than right now. I want the rest of my life with you.”

I slip my hand behind her neck, drawing her closer. “I am so fucking in love with you, Lucy.”

Her eyes grow glossy and she blinks quickly, sending tears off her lashes. They hit my neck and my heart lurches in my chest. I slide my thumbs under her eyes, willing her not to cry as I dry her tears. Good or bad, I can’t stand to see her cry.

“I’ve loved you for so long,” she says.

I close my eyes as her words replay in my mind. This. Right here, is pure happiness. Her lips touch mine, just verification that this moment is absolutely perfect.

Lucy’s Rules:

1. Make the conscious decision to look at others with an open mind and an open heart.

2. Everybody needs someone in their life they can rely on. Try to be that person. Be that person.

3. Take a chance. Take a lot of chances.

4. Love whole-heartedly. (Unless in the presence of Park Reed—in which case, guard your heart at all cost.)

5. Make it your goal to make someone smile daily.

6. Always expect more of yourself today than you did yesterday.

7. No matter how many times you’re let down, continue believing in the goodness of others. Learn to forgive.

8. Make memories.

41

Lucy

Park makes a face at me when the nurse focuses her attention on my arm. As she pokes at my inner elbow, searching for a good vein to drain, I try not to laugh.

We heard the baby’s heartbeat today. Yes—I cried. I think Park may have even gotten teary for a second, but he fought it well.

Now I’m getting blood work done. Which kind of sucks, but I’m still floating high from knowing our baby is healthy.

“I’m having a hard time finding a good vein,” the nurse says, straightening up. “You might be a little dehydrated. I’ll get you some water and we’ll try again.”

Park pushes off the wall and moves to my side. “Why are you dehydrated? Are you still getting sick?”

The nurse ducks out the door and I shrug. “No, I haven’t had morning sickness in over a week. It’s just early. I’m not drinking anything while I’m sleeping and I just had that bagel before we left.”

“You didn’t drink anything? I didn’t even notice.”

My brows pucker as I look at him. “Why would you notice?” I brush my hand through the air. “She’s getting me some water. It’ll be fine.”

Before he can respond, the nurse comes back in, handing me a small bottle and I start working on it immediately. I want to get this over with so I can go home and enjoy the next few hours with my boyfriend.

“How much water should she be drinking?” Park asks.

“A lot,” the nurse says. “Aim for at least eight glasses a day.”

Park nods and I can nearly see the wheels turning in his head. I almost groan, but I refrain, sipping from my bottle instead. I’m certain Park’s going to turn into a water peddling tyrant for the remainder of this pregnancy.

As soon as we’re finished at the doctor’s office, Park drives straight to the grocery store, proving me right.

I watch him lift a package of bottled water into the cart, his biceps flexing with the movement, and his shirt pulling tightly over his back. And I realize this isn’t so bad. My stomach clenches with desire, the power overwhelming.

“Maybe you should get another one,” I suggest.

Without question, Park bends down for more and I get to enjoy the show.

“Keep looking at me like that, Lucy,” he says, placing my water in the cart, and looking at me over his shoulder. “See what happens.”

I press my lips together, as he grins wickedly at me. “I can’t help it,” I cry. I fling my hand out, gesturing at him. “You’ve got all that going on and I’ve heard stories about pregnant women, but I didn’t realize it would be like this.” I take a deep breath and sigh.

“Wait. Back up.” He takes my hand, twining his fingers through mine. “You didn’t realize it would be like what?”

“I’m hormonal,” I say quietly, glancing around to make sure nobody can hear me.

“Hormonal?”

“…yes…”

His eyes flick over my reddening face and his smile turns so lecherous I have to press my thighs together because that look makes me want to jump him in the middle of aisle five.

“You mean horny.”

I yank my hand away. “Yes. Now shut up. People will hear.”

Park chuckles, totally loving this. “So pregnancy makes you hot,” he muses.

“So I’ve heard,” I say tightly. “Can we go?”

“Right here?” He arches a brow, smiling deviously. “I’m down, but I didn’t know you were an exhibitionist. I think I’m going to really enjoy this pregnancy.”

“I hate you right now,” I mutter.

“No you don’t,” he says confidently. “You love me. You know how I know?”

I cross my arms. “How?”

He steps into me, resting his hands on my hips. “Because,” he murmurs against my hair, “you can’t keep your eyes off me.”

“That doesn’t mean I love you. It means you have a sexy body and my hormones love you.”

“Close enough,” he decides. “Why don’t we stop talking about it so I can get you home? I want to make your hormones happy.”

Sounds like a damn good plan to me.

***

“Your mom is so mean,” Bree says in way of greeting. She flops down on the bed, shaking me with the harsh movement.

I yawn and glance at the clock. I can’t believe I napped so long. My shift starts in a little over an hour. I slept the whole day away.

“Lu, did you hear me?” Bree taps my arm, regaining my attention.

“Mean Mom,” I confirm hoarsely.

“Yes. She said I can help with your baby shower.”

I rub my eyes and try to catch up. “Okay…”

“She’s not letting me throw it. I want to be in charge of your first shower.” She flings her arm over her forehead and exhales loudly. “I’m your best friend. You’re like my sister—my pasty white, soul sister.”

I scoff. “I’m not pasty. I’m creamy.”

“You’re mom’s creamy. NO. She’s mean. This is my right and she’s stealing it from me.”

“B, as my mother, don’t you think it would be her right to give me and her grandchild a baby shower?”

“No…” She looks away, her lips puckering.

“Stop making duck lips,” I say. “She said you could help, right? So help.”

“It’s not the same,” she whines. “I want to pick the decorations and the location. I want to choose the invitations and cake. And I want to play really crazy games that have awesome prizes. She’ll just have candles or bottles of body wash. Everybody does that. I want to make your party special.”

Awe. That’s sweet. “Well can’t you still do that stuff by helping her?”

“No,” she sighs. “She told me I can be in charge of party favors.”

“I bet they’ll be the best party favors to ever grace a baby shower,” I sing.

“Oh, they will be. You can count on that. I’m going to show your mean-ass mom.”

“That’s the spirit—the psychotic, over-the-top spirit.”

She sits up, nodding excitedly. “Mm-hm. That’s right. Oh, ho-ho…you just wait. The best thing to happen to you will be my contribution to this shower.”

Hopping up quickly, she heads for the door, fueled by her proclamation. “Where you going?” I call after her.

“I have research to do.”

I let my head fall back and laugh quietly. The bedroom door opens again and I turn to see Park coming in, a plate in one hand, a bottle of water in the other. Of course.

“Hey you. Hungry?”

“Not really.”

He sets everything down on the nightstand and pulls the blanket back gradually. His eyes follow the length of my body, starting with my toes, before resting on my face.