Page 135 of Sugar & Shadows

“Yes. Unhinged. Sticky,” she told me between bites of surprisingly delicious chicken. “Totally on brand. Athletic events, kids’ things, unlike anything else.”

Nodding, I considered it. It certainly beat the hell out of the traditional small-town country festival.

“We’ve got a little less than a year to bring it all together,” she said, “but we can pull it off. Harper is salivating over the content opportunities, and I’m happy to give her something new to post about so we can move on from the viral pregnancy reveal.”

Amusement rolled through me. “Logan won’t stop sending me the memes. Did you know there’s a trending TikTok dance using an autotuned version of you yelling at me?”

While we ate, we bounced ideas back and forth. I’d never felt such contentment as I did now. Sitting across from and engaging with a woman who really understood the ins and outs of a job like mine. She was so smart and thoughtful, offering advice when I asked for it and telling stories about some of her DC adventures.

“I have another surprise,” I said after we’d cleaned up and loaded the dishwasher. “Follow me.” With her hand in mine, I led her up to my bedroom and flicked on the light.

After I’d cleaned this room out, I’d purchased two nightstands and new bedding. As well as roughly half a million pillows, a down duvet, and the softest blanket I’d ever felt. All in sage green.

Sabrina ran her hands over it, her lips tipping up in the slightest smile.

“I know you love pillows,” I said.

She blushed. “This is so nice.”

“No pressure,” I said, “but if, at some point, you had to sleep over, I want the bed to be nice for you.”

“Your bed?” She raised her eyebrows, a flash of humor there.

I shrugged. “I can sleep on the couch. That’s where I sleep most nights anyway.” I roughed a hand down my face. “I just wanted it to be nice for you.”

A slow smile crept up her face. “You’re trying to get into my pants, Gabriel Harding.”

While my dick may have twitched in response to that accusation, I shook my head. “No, ma’am. Just trying to be an effective co-parent.”

Her expression turned wicked, and like I was being physically drawn to her, I stepped closer.

The next thing I knew, my mouth was on hers. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close, savoring the way she felt pressed against me. I’d been craving this for days.

We kissed slowly, though my desire for her skyrocketed.

“Stay over,” I whispered.

She sighed, looking away. “I can’t.”

Gently, I jostled her, forcing her to face me again. “Why not?”

“Because I currently live with my mother,” she groused, her brow creasing.

“You’re thirty-five and carrying my child. I don’t think she’ll mind.”

Her frown only deepened.

“Okay, then,” I told her. “Give me your phone.”

Rather than dig it out, she glared at me.

I held out my hand. She could be stubborn, but I was motivated.

Finally, sagging, she unlocked it and handed it over.

“Hold on.” I navigated to the phone app and tapped on the list of recent calls, then chose her mom’s name.

“Hello?” she answered after three rings.