“How about a night out tonight, all of us? It’s been ages since we all went out together. I’m sure Lib and Mason would be up for it, what about you Josh?” Brodyasked.
“I can’t tonight, but maybe another time?” His eyes met mine briefly before he lookedaway.
“Why? What are you up to?” Brodyasked.
He paused, his eyes flicking to mine again. “I’m seeing Beth,” he said quietly. I put my sandwich down, my appetite suddenlygone.
“Who’s Beth?” I asked, my eyes focused on my fingers as they played with the blades of grass by my legs. I heard him sigh and I lookedup.
“Beth’s a girl I’m seeing.” I nodded, my heart hurting at his words. Brody had mentioned a few weeks ago that Josh was dating someone, but there was always some girl hanging around him. I hadn’t paid much attention with all that had been going on in my life, but this one had a name. If she was the same girl Brody had mentioned, she’d been around for a while, and that was unusual for Josh. He normally took them on one or two dates and then moved on to thenext.
“Oh, okay,” I heard Brody say. I could sense that Brody was looking at me, but I couldn’t look at him. My hormones were all over the place and I didn’t trust myself not to burst into tears. He was silent for a few seconds before asking, “You’ll come though, won’t youSavannah?”
I took in a shaky breath, composing myself. “I’m not sure…” I trailed off, my fingers ripping out chunks of grass, letting the blades slip through myfingers.
“Come on, it doesn’t have to be a late night. You could dance with Lib,” he coaxed, knowing how much I loved to dance. I sighed, wiping the grass off my hands; I had missed going out with Libby. I figured I might as well make the most of going out while I was able to. I knew I wouldn’t be getting out much once the baby came, plus, I knew if I stayed home, I would only spend all night wondering what Josh was up to. At least going out would take my mind offhim.
“Okay, why not. I might as well squeeze into my favorite dress one last time before I look like a beached whale!” I forced a smile, looking over to Brody andJosh.
“You could never look like a beached whale,” Josh mumbled as he stood up and headed into the cottage. He stopped just outside and picked up the cans of paint, one in each hand. My eyes followed him, taking in his broad back and shoulders, his muscles taut from holding thepaint.
“Are you okay? I didn’t think when I asked Josh what his plans were,” Brody said once Josh was out ofearshot.
I shrugged my shoulders and gave him a sad smile. “I’m fine Brode. I’ve spent years watching him with girls, and this is just another one of those times. He’s going to date people—not much I can do about it.” I sounded flippant, but it was all a front, and I was pretty sure Brody knewthat.
He reached his hand down to me and pulled me up and into a hug. “Well for what it’s worth, I’m sorry, and he’s right, you look beautiful,” Brody said, squeezing metight.
“Not quite beautiful enough though, huh?” I said sadly, pulling out of hisembrace.
“Don’t do that,” he saidsharply.
I gave him a false smile. “Well I’ll remind you of how beautiful you think I am when I’m nine months pregnant and I can’t see my feet!” I joked, eager to bring the conversation to aclose.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be here to help you put your cowboy boots on,” he said,laughing.
“You’d better be,” I told him. “I’ll text Lib abouttonight.”
The smile dropped from his face. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, glancing back toward thestables.
“I’m fine Brody. Get back to work and I’ll see youlater.”
He nodded before giving me a small wave as he walked off toward the barn. I dug my phone out of my jeans pocket and fired off atext.
Me:Hey Lib, are you and Mason free for a drink tonight?(non-alcoholic for me of course) Brody suggested a night out like oldtimes
I pushed my phone back into my jeans and finished as much of my sandwich as I could stomach, knowing I needed to eat something. Having avoided Josh for as long as I could, I headed back into the house, and he had already started painting by the time I made it back to the kitchen. There wasn’t much wall to paint since the room was tiny, and he had been right when he’d told Brody it wouldn’t take himlong.
“Hey, what can I do to help?” I asked, reaching for one of the new paintbrushes we’dbought.
“Nothing, I’m good.” I watched as he reached the roller up to paint the ceiling. At six foot three, he didn’t need a ladder, and the edge of his t-shirt rode up as he stretched. My eyes were drawn to his exposed skin, his tanned and toned stomach making my mouth water. My focus dropped to the waistband of his pants, where I could just see the top of his underwear. Suddenly Josh cleared his throat and I was pulled from the dirty corners of my mind. My face flushed with heat as I looked up and saw that he’d caught me staring at him,again.
“I asked if you could pass me the paint tray,” he said, gesturing to the tray next to my feet. I looked down and then back up at him, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth as he watchedme.
“Sorry,” I mumbled as I bent down and picked up the tray. Walking the short distance between us, I held it out tohim.
“Could you hold it there while I do the ceiling?” I nodded, feeling like I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. He bent down and pushed the roller through the tray, dragging it back and forth until it was coated in paint. His arm reached up to the ceiling and I quickly averted my gaze from his exposed stomach, not wanting to be caught staring again. “Where are you off to tonight then?” heasked.
“Not sure yet, one of the bars in town I guess. I’m just waiting to hear back from Lib.” He nodded, turning to put more paint on his roller. As he did, he somehow managed to drag it across my arm, the cool paint on my skin startling me. “Hey!” I exclaimed, jumping and sloshing the paint in the tray down the front of his t-shirt.