“Do you really not feel good?” he asked.
Did a huge emotional mass in the pit of her stomach that felt like it was tearing up her gut count? “No, I don’t.”
“Go on in. I’ll be in soon.”
“You don’t have to. I’m fine.”
He frowned at her. “I know, but I want to be with you.”
She nodded and turned to go. In the bathroom, she stripped and walked into the shower. She’d already taken one but felt like it was the only privacy she would get. She let the hot water cascade down the front of her, mixing with her tears because she couldn’t hold them in another second. She needed to release the pressure that had been building in her since the phone call she’d overheard.
It had been bad enough thinking he just wasn’t attracted to her but to know the only reason she was here was that he felt obligated to her because of her brother was even worse.
“How are you doing?”
His voice made her jump. She hadn’t realized he’d walked into the bathroom. She swallowed a few times before she answered. “Yeah. I’m good.”
She could see his silhouette standing there and then heard his sigh.
“I’ll get your pajamas, baby.”
“Okay.”
She quickly rinsed off and then grabbed a towel. She wrapped her hair in another before stepping out of the shower.
Nate was waiting for her. “Here, let me help.”
She wanted to tell him she didn’t need it, but a muscle in the side of his jaw ticked, and she didn’t think that was a good sign.
A thought popped into her head. She decided to grab every moment she could with him because it would have to last her a lifetime.
Before long, he had her in her nightgown and sitting on the counter, combing and blow-drying her hair. She loved the feel of his hands in her hair and closed her eyes.
“Why do you look so sad?” he asked.
“I didn’t think I was,” she said.
“The last time I saw this expression on your face was when we were standing over your mother’s grave.”
Tessa blinked. “I miss her.”
“Oh, honey,” he said and pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry.”
She rested her head against his chest, tightened her grip on him, and soaked up all the affection.
He stepped back and cupped her chin. “Are you sure you won’t watch a movie with me?”
She nodded. “I changed my mind. I’d like that.”
He lifted her in his arms, walked them into the living room, and sat on the sofa. He tightened his grip on her when she tried to slide off his lap.
“Whoa, stay where you’re at.”
“It can’t be comfortable to have me on your lap.”
“I actually prefer it, so sit still.”
She rested against his chest as they went through the movies.