Between You and Me

Logan watched her go until he couldn’t see her anymore. Then he got back in the truck and pulled slowly away from the curb to drive back into town . . . back into the way it’d been before a whirlwind named Tess Harrison had blown into his lonely life. The difference now was, he hadn’t cared before that he’d been lonely. Hadn’t even realized it, really. Now he knew it, and it was a sharp, throbbing misery.

He scrubbed a hand over his face at a red light, chastising himself. This emotional goodbye had knocked him sideways. For fuck’s sake, it wasn’t like he’d never see her again. It was the second week of March, and she’d promised to come back in mid-May. But things wouldn’t be the same again, and he knew it. The daily banter and contact, the night after night of passionate lovemaking . . . Hell, they might not even be lovers ever again, since the fact was he’d fulfilled his end of the bargain. And she was too amazing a woman to stay alone forever. Someday, surely she’d meet someone else . . . He scowled and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The thought tore him apart.

He pulled into his driveway, cut the engine, and sat there for a long time, aching.

They’d talk. They’d stay in touch. But he had to work on letting go of her. Because even though he’d see her again, she’d never come back to him. Distance would remind her of who she was and where she belonged. That this had been a deal. She was pregnant now; she didn’t need him anymore.

Chapter Twenty-Four

A sharp buzzing sound woke Tess with a start. She opened her eyes, looked around, and realized that, yet again, she’d fallen asleep on the couch in her office. Thank God it was there; she’d napped every day since she’d been back in New York. The way pregnancy slammed her with exhaustion, napping every day, sometimes twice a day, was the only way she was getting through. But compared to puking every morning, she’d gladly take the fatigue.

She’d kept herself busy for the past five weeks. Poring over websites for ideas on decorating the baby’s room and all things baby; spending time with her brothers and their families; getting a plan in motion for how she would handle her job once she became a single mother; reading articles daily on pregnancy, childbirth, newborns, infancy . . . All of which were necessary, but also a way to think less about Logan. She missed him so much it hurt. And she felt him slipping away a little more each week.

The intercom on her phone buzzed again. The phone was on her desk . . . all the way across the room. She was so tired; it felt like it was miles away. With a weary moan, she closed her eyes again. Whoever it was would have to wait...

A gentle hand patted her shoulder. “Tess. Hey, sleepyhead. C’mon now.”

“Huh?” She opened her eyes and focused on her brother, who was crouching down to look into her face. “Hey, Dane.”

“Hey, Tesstastic. You okay?”

She yawned. “Fine. Just tired.”

“You’re out cold at twelve thirty in the afternoon. Is that normal?” he asked, brow furrowing with concern.

She laughed lightly. “Yes. I’m fine. Ask your brothers’ wives if you don’t believe me.”

“Well, from what I heard, both Abby and Lisette spent a good part of their early pregnancies with their heads in the toilet, so no thanks.” Dane grinned and shifted from his crouch to sit in the armchair adjacent to the couch.

“Yeah, I’ve been spared that much at least.” Tess took a deep breath and sat up slowly. “No morning sickness at all, just tired most of the time. I’ll get past it soon. Almost done with the first trimester already, then supposedly I’ll feel better, get my energy back.” She stretched her arms over her head. “So why am I so lucky as to be blessed with your presence?”

“We were supposed to go to lunch,” he reminded her.

Her eyes flew wide. “Oh no! You’re right! Ah crap.”

He laughed. “Jeez. You forgot all about me. Not like you.”

“Blame it on pregnancy brain,” she said.

“It kicks in this soon? Shit, you’re in trouble then.” He grinned wickedly, but his voice was gentle as he asked, “Do you want to cancel? Get back to your nap?”