Page 40 of Bound Hearts

It’s clear as day that Sutton possesses an inner confidence, but I can feel the weight of her indecision in every glance and pause. She’s still wrestling with it all—I can see the uncertainty flicker in her eyes.

“It’s risky because the more we disclose our relationship in the office, the less chance I have of repercussions with my law license. But I want to avoid the office knowing I’m pregnant for as long as I can until I can’t physically hide anymore.”

My forehead wrinkles. “It’ll be hard with our friends in the office.”

Sutton sighs and smacks her lips. “Solid point. We’ll run that theory by ear, okay?”

Awkwardly, I grimace. “The thing is… Hayes might already have an inclination.” She stares at me blankly but with a tint of unimpressed. I explain further. “He won’t tell Elodie. He promised, and I believe he will hold to it.”

“Fine,” she huffs. “Not much we can do about that.”

“But I promise, we’ll stick to your nobody knows yet.” But I have to smile at her because I feel like this may become a challenge for us.

She rolls her eyes to the side, realizing how much of a game this could be. She gently moves my hands from her hips, lifts one up, and tucks it under her cheek to use as a pillow. Maybe sleep will finally come to her.

I’m not sure if it’s her fatigue talking, or if this is the moment when honesty slips out more easily.

“What about the other logistics?”

She smiles faintly as her eyes meet mine. “Before the baby comes. We don’t have to go to a courthouse this week. I’m also a lawyer; you need to have a prenup for me to sign. We can still take a little time to breathe before we say ‘I do.’ Probably when I start to show is a good time.”

It’s impossible not to smirk to myself. “You’ve thought this through. I’m on board, too.”

She nestles her cheek deeper against my hand and the mattress. “Maybe something clicked in my mind between deciding about the baby and eating the egg roll. But I’m starting to make a list of things to do.”

Thinking about it, there are a few things that I can contribute to that list for sure. I hum in understanding and choose to broach the next topic, the next step in these changes. “When will you move in here?”

Sutton chuffs. “Almost forgot about that detail.”

Laughing, I’m not sure whether she’s joking. “Uh, kind of need my wife and child in my home.”

“Right.” She frowns, which is concerning.

“You do want to live here, right? Or are you thinking we need to get somewhere with a white picket fence?” Now I need to chip away at her thought process.

Her other hand lands on my arm and squeezes reassuringly. “It hasn’t crossed my mind. I mean, living together, yes. I’ll see about getting out of my lease early. And here there is plenty of room for the baby. I just mean thinking about… maybe one day the cliché of moving out of the city for a house with a dog.”

I can’t help but smile; she’s adorable when her thoughts run wild. “Let’s focus on now.”

Her deep breath is audible. “You’re right.”

Finding a moment of calm, I kiss the top of her head and scoot over, closing the distance between us and locking her in with my leg hooked over her hip.

I’m mesmerized by her, especially now that she’s glowing, her worries drifting away like clouds.

“A baby,” she whispers, maybe still astonished.

“I was going to wait to deliver the other news.” I wince. Panic fills her eyes. “How do we feel about twins?”

She gawks at me, her jaw dropping. “Please tell me you don’t have magical sperm with genetics for multiples on its side.”

I make a cartoonish face. “I mean, not in this century. Do great-uncles count?” I shouldn’t be teasing her, but for the past few minutes, we’ve been in a lighter air.

Sutton grins and pinches my arm, to which I fake pain. “Want me to have another meltdown?”

“No.”

“Good.”