Page 251 of Where We Stay

“Bossy.”

I kiss the smile right off her face before carrying the bags inside.

“So, how did Courtney take it?” Blair asks as she follows me into the kitchen.

“Better than I expected. She congratulated us and said she’s happy for us.”

Blair smiles as she starts unpacking the groceries. “Good. I’m glad you told her before Aspen exploded.”

“We probably had another thirty seconds.”

“If that.”

She pulls a container of parmesan from one of the bags. “I’m making ragu tonight. It’s Jerry’s favorite. The bastard has expensive taste.”

“I heard that,” Jerry calls from the hallway.

“You were meant to, old man.”

Jerry walks into the kitchen and steals a piece of cheese straight from the counter. “You know, some people respect their elders.”

“Some elders earn it.”

They both laugh, and I lean against the counter, watching them.

It’s nice seeing Blair with someone who knew her before Hartwell. Before me. Someone who has loved every version of her, even the ones she tried to hide.

Now she’s standing in my kitchen, arguing with Jerry over how much parmesan belongs in a ragu while he deliberately adds more just to piss her off.

I love this version of Blair.

But I’ll love every version that comes next too.

* * *

Later that afternoon, Courtney texts to say she and Aspen are running late, and Jerry has gone to explore Hartwell.

Blair and I take advantage of the empty house.

Now, we’re lying across the bed after arguably the best sex of my life. I know I say that every time, but pregnant Blair is wild.

Literally fucking wild.

“I need to stop by the cottage and grab more clothes.” Blair pulls on her pants while I check out her ass before she gets them all the way up. “I’m officially out of underwear.”

“Why?”

She looks over at me. “What?”

“Why do you need to go back there?”

“I just told you.” She laughs. “Did I fuck the logic out of your head, Ashford?”

“Probably, baby.” I grin because she isn’t wrong. “Stay.”

“I’ll be gone half an hour.”

“No.”