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“Do you want to have lunch somewhere? It’s starting to get warmer, and I think the babies need to be inside.”
Instead, I offer, “Why don’t you come to Chase’s? You should see his place; it’s huge.”
“Where does he live?”
“A few blocks away. I still can’t believe he lives so close to me.”
I buckle CJ into his stroller and wait for Lexi to gather everything. We then head to Chase’s apartment. He left a key on the counter for me earlier this morning so I would be able to get in and out. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I happily use it to let us inside.
“Holy shit! You weren’t kidding when you said this place was big. It’s bigger than the loft that Noah and I shared,” Lexi says.
“Speaking of Noah, you’re going to have to see him like I have to see Lucian. How do you feel about that?”
“I’ve come to terms with what he did. I’m happy. Marrying JC was the best thing that ever happened to me. But forget that! Give me the grand tour!”
I suggest wheeling CJ and Arabella to the nursery. That way, they can sleep while we hang out. The crib is big enough for them to share, so we place them on either side and switch on the baby monitor. I tour Lexi around Chase’s apartment, and when I pop the door open to his office, I find a vase with white roses in it. Now I know where he got the rose he left on my pillow.
“He has roses in his office?” Lexi asks.
“Chase left one on the pillow this morning for me, with a note. I was wondering where he got them from so early. I’ll have to ask him about it when he gets home.”
“So, are you living here now?”
“No. It’s something we haven’t talked about, and I think we need to know each other better before we make that leap.”
“I’m happy that it’s working out for you, though.”
She hugs me, but I catch a hint of worry on her face. The last time I jumped with both feet, I got burned by Jeremy. I had faith in men back then. He and Chase somewhat destroyed it in their own ways. And while I need to build it back up, I hope Chase can help me along.
I take Lexi to the kitchen, where she’s amazed at the well-stocked refrigerator and pantry that Chase has. He isn’t a typical bachelor. He’s neat, well organized, and his refrigerator contains food, whereas mine doesn’t always. I’ve convinced myself that that will change once CJ starts eating whole food.
I search for some cold cuts and make sandwiches for us on ciabatta rolls that I locate in a wooden bread box. After we finish, we wake the children since it’s been a while since they both ate. CJ’s forehead feels hot to me. Concerned, I take his temperature with an ear thermometer that I find in the bathroom.
I’m unable to sit still while it registers. “Shit, he’s got a fever of 100.2. How could I have missed that he’s sick?! He’s never been sick before! Should I take him to the doctor?”
“Megan, calm down,” Lexi says soothingly. “Let’s give him a cool bath. He was outside, and that could be why. He isn’t fussy, so let’s see if it helps first.”
My hands are shaking as I undress him while Lexi takes Arabella to the kitchen to give her a snack. I slowly bathe CJ in lukewarm water, and he doesn’t cry, so I’m taking that as a good sign. When I remove him from the basin and wrap him in a towel, he seems cooler.
“How is he?” Lexi asks from behind me.
“I think he’s better. I’ll take his temperature in a second.”
I do, and this time it registers 98.9F. I feel a bit better and hope that it’s on the downswing. Although he’s not a fussy baby, he’s quieter, which is unlike him because he’s usually making little noises and smiling.
“I’m going to go,” Lexi says once she makes sure I’m okay. “If you need any help with CJ, call me.”
I kiss her and Arabella and let them out of the apartment. I wonder what Chase is going to say when he gets home and I tell him CJ had a fever. I hover over our son after I put him back in his crib. I refuse to leave his room and end up falling asleep in the rocking chair.
When I wake, CJ is sitting in his crib, staring up at his mobile and cooing. The sight instantly relieves me. I touch his forehead, and it seems cooler, but the real test is the thermometer. His temperature comes out normal this time. I guess I overreacted, but it was the first time I felt him become that warm since he was born.
Taking a calming breath, I take him out of his crib and get a bottle ready. Again, I’m relieved when he’s hungry and sucks greedily at the nipple.
“Poor boy, you were hungry.”
It’s nearing eight o’clock, meaning Chase should be home soon. I need to head home myself for the evening since I have work tomorrow. I hate Mondays; ever more so after the lovely weekend, I spent in Chase’s bed. Killing time, I go about the apartment getting my stuff together.
Yesterday, I had sent Chase to my apartment to get me some clothing. Nothing major, just some panties, bras, a couple of polo shirts, and some shorts. Since he had been there many times before, he knew just where to look. Now I wish I went because the thought of spending Sunday night in bed alone doesn’t appeal to me. I would rather be in Chase’s bed or have him in mine.
