Page 84 of Good For Me

River

It seems like an age passes as we stare at each other. My stomach is roiling with nerves as I study his face, trying to gauge just how pissed off he is.

Finally, he sighs, running his hands roughly across his face. He looks tired and much older all of a sudden. “I think we’re going to need some coffee for this conversation,” he mumbles.

I think of Jas waiting upstairs, about how much calmer she was when I left her. The way her face lit up when I told her I would bring back food.

“We can have this conversation,” I tell him, straightening my shoulders. “But I need to do something first.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously?”

“Dad—”

“I think I’m being pretty damn calm considering what I heard by the barn this morning.” His voice is tight, like he’s struggling to control himself. I close my eyes. He’d been out there when Jas was freaking out about the skating. If he heard any of that conversation, I’m sure it would have been pretty easy to figure out what was happening.

“But my patience will only stretch so far, River. I want you to sit your ass down and tell me what—”

“In a minute,” I grit out. Because there’s no way in hell I’m going to sit here and get lectured like an eight-year-old while Jas is waiting for me to do what I promised.

My dad’s face is like a thundercloud, but I don’t back down. “I’ll be back,” I tell him, marching straight past him to the side door and then outside. I thank the universe for small favors when I see the dining room at the lodge has mostly emptied out. Cash and Sam are there, loading up the breakfast leftovers, so I hurry to fill up a plate so I don’t have to stop and chat. Then I go to the kitchen and put the kettle on the stove. I find a box of green tea in one of the cabinets and set about making her a cup—after double checking the label to make sure there’s no caffeine.

A week ago, I’d had no idea that pregnant people couldn’t have caffeine.See, Jas,I think to myself.We can figure this out. We can learn what we need to and get through this.

I just have to get through the conversation with my dad first.

He’s standing outside as I approach the farmhouse, a plate and a mug in my hands. He seems surprised to see me. I wonder if he thought I was taking off or something and was coming out to track me down.

I brush by him without a word and take Jasmine her food. The sight of her lying on my bed brings me up short. Her dark hair is spread out over my pillow like a wave of inky silk. Her eyes are closed, feet up right where I put them. She looks comfortable and at peace and God, I just want to stay in this room with her. I want to curl my body around her, feel her in my arms.

And I won’t ever want to let her go.

She must sense me standing in the doorway, because she opens one eye. “Tell me you grabbed some of those raspberry pastry puffs.”

I laugh, some of that longing ache dissipating in my chest. “Of course I did. Who do you think you’re dealing with here?” She holds out her hands in agimmemotion. “Are you sure you want this? You look pretty chill lying there. Maybe you want to skip the food and take your nap.”

“River,” she says sternly. “Bring me that plate or I’ll smack that sexy little smirk right off your face.”

My eyebrows go up. “My smirk is sexy, huh?”

She groans. “Food, River.”

“Wait, I want to hear more about how sexy I am. Maybe I should hold onto this plate until you—”

“River!” she bellows, and I laugh as I walk toward her.

“Fine, fine. You can eat.”

She doesn’t even wait to take the plate in her hands before grabbing one of the pastry puffs off the top. “These aresogood.”

I make a mental note to ask the caterer for the recipe. “I made you a cup of tea, too,” I say, setting it on the nightstand next to her. She blinks up at me, a slow, almost shy smile stretching across her face.

“Thank you,” she says, and I just want to kiss that shy smile right off.

I settle for a kiss on the top of her head. “You’re more than welcome.” I stay there, lips pressed to her hair, and take in a deep breath, letting the scent of her shampoo wash over me. Jas always smells like vanilla. It’s the most soothing scent and I wish I could bottle it up and carry it around with me. I have a feeling I’m going to need all the soothing I can get in a few minutes.

“Hey, are you okay up here for a bit?”

“Sure,” she says. Do I detect a flash of disappointment in her face? Probably just wishful thinking.