Page 93 of Fall Over You

“The exhaust fan!” she points out. “They’d just have to push it in⁠—”

I put my hands on her shoulders in some quest to calm her down, marching along behind her. “I’ll come with you.”

“Thank you,” she squeaks, but when we get to the bathroom door, she shrinks away from it and into me. “Will you check first?”

I take a deep breath and squeeze her shoulders. I step past her and open the door wider. I jump at the door’s shadow and Becca screams, then covers her mouth. “Sorry.”

“Alright. It’s all clear.”

Becca tows me in there by the hand. “I have to pee too. Don’t look.”

I guess it doesn’t matter that I’ve seen it all already. I settle on the rim of the bathtub and put my hands over my eyes. I was looking forward to a good sleep before helping out with the festival and working on the cottage tomorrow, but restful sleep is clearly off the menu. After she washes her face, we scurry back to my bed, Becca jumping in first and pulling the covers over her head. I chuckle as I get in next to her, making a show of not being able to find her because she’s too far under the sheets. She wiggles her way over to me, nestles her face into my chest, and seals her arm around my waist.

“I’m too scared,” she protests.

“You want me to come in there with you?”

“Yes, please.”

I pull the covers over my own head and find her sweet blue eyes peering up at me.

“I didn’t think I was afraid of raccoons,” she admits.

“I mean, being touched by one while you’re sleeping is a little different than being afraid of one on the side of the road.”

She nods and it’s warm where we’re both breathing under the covers.

“I don’t want to deal with it,” she moans. “I need tomorrow to be perfect.”

I kiss her hair and stroke down her spine, warmth spreading through me as she cuddles closer. “I’ll help you.”

“I feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”

“I promise you’re not,” I say. “I’ll tell you if I can’t handle something.”

Becca goes quiet and pushes herself back so she can look at me. “About that. I’m glad you asked for what you needed after the dinner at your parents’ house. I know we’re not as close as we used to be, but . . . I want you to know that you can unpack things like that with me. You don’t have to hide that away.”

Warmth spreads through me as I consider that. “Thanks. I guess I’m used to handling everything on my own. Even with Dusty, we usually just talk about whatever. Feelings aren’t really part of it.”

Becca tips her head at me. “Dusty’s a great feelings guy. I’m sure he’d love it if you opened up.”

Now that I think of it, he is pretty forthcoming. But Becca goes on. “I didn’t say it, but I kinda needed you then. Or, wanted, I guess. I survived it obviously,” she gestures to herself. “I appreciated that you stood up for me, but I could have used some cuddle time to come down. Or just a hangout, I don’t know.”

I’m stunned. It didn’t even cross my mind to go to Becca for comfort. I snort and tug her closer. “I think I could have used a cuddle too.”

She hums as she nestles her head into my chest and I sigh. There’s a long pause when I wonder if she’s falling asleep. Her voice is muffled from where she’s buried in my chest. “I heard you say my name.”

I go still all over. It’s slightly mortifying that we’re actually going to talk about this, even though we’ve seen each other do several more taboo activities. It’s somehow different now. We’re married, living in the same house, and in effect, we’ve been avoiding each other. And, as it seems, thinking about each other while we get off.

Very rational behavior out of both of us.

“I could hear you,” I admit. “I don’t think you know how sexy you are, Reba.”

“I have some idea,” she says quietly. “Because you’re just as hot.”

We go quiet again, her blue eyes watching my brown ones. I swallow hard.

“I wanted a wedding night with you,” I admit.