Page 140 of Sugar & Shadows

A plan began to take shape.

“You’re making a scary face.” He grimaced. “Give me another cookie.”

“Just running scenarios in my head.” I held out another delicious baked good.

“Sabrina, you cannot take out a hit on senior citizens.”

“I’m offended that you think I would do that.” I crossed my arms. “Don’t worry, I’ll only manipulate public sentiment and politically corner Brooks, then skillfully exploit Bitsy’s need for public dominance and force their hands through carefully applied social, political, and economic pressure.”

He stared at me, chewing his cookie. He’d probably tell me no and go on about how “that’s not the small-town way,” blah, blah, blah.

Instead, he smiled. “Have I told you how hot you are when you’re plotting?”

With a thrill running through me, I scooted over and rested my head on his chest.

“Do we go to sleep now?” I asked. Part of me wanted to text Meg and have her start digging up dirt on the Brambleses, then have Harper start the PowerPoint.

But with this sexy man and comfy bed, it was hard not to want to push those tasks aside. At least for a little while.

“We do whatever you want,” he murmured into my hair.

“I really like talking strategy post-sex.” I snuggled into him, relishing his heat. He was so damn warm, his entire body like a space heater.

“Me too.”

“Should we high-five? Shake hands?”

A low chuckle vibrated through him. “How about we just snuggle and go to sleep?”

He shifted without dislodging me and switched off the light.

Sighing, I closed my eyes. I was having a sleepover. With a man.

A man I’d disliked for the majority of my life.

The father of my child.

My body stiffened.

“What’s wrong?” Gabe asked, his voice drowsy.

“Is this okay?” I asked. “Us sleeping together?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because our dynamic is so complicated. We’re having a baby. We have to figure out how to co-parent. And we hate each other.”

Sitting, he pulled me closer. “I don’t hate you,” he said quietly. “I respect you. Admire you. And you’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

My breath hitched. I searched his face in the dark. I was not expecting that.

“I don’t hate you either,” I admitted softly. “Not anymore.”

“I can work with that.” He scooted back down, tucking the blanket around us. “Everything else, we can figure out later.”

Chapter 36

Sabrina