First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 108

  The grocery store parking lot is half full when I pull in. It feels quiet, which is definitely different from the way Dani came apart on me upstairs. I still feel her shaking in my hands. I still feel the way she begged. I shake it off before I walk inside. I'm here for her cravings. Not for my thoughts but damn my woman is always on my mind.

  Inside, the air is cool and bright. I grab a basket and head straight for the chocolate first because that one is easy. I already know the exact dark chocolate she wants. I grab three bags so she won't run out in two days. Then I move to the aisle with the pickles and grab the kosher mini dills she likes. Then creamy peanut butter. All simple. All for her.

  I'm about to turn toward the self checkout when I hear a voice behind me.

  "Wow. Taytum James. Out shopping like a good little fiancée."

  My stomach drops before I even turn around.

  Natalie. Of course.

  She's leaning against her cart like she owns the whole damn store. Hair pulled back. Smirk in place. Same shameless energy after her nights out. The one night mistake I will never live down. Dani's sister or not, she has pushed it too far.

  I give her a flat look. "Just grabbing stuff for Dani's cravings."

  "Oh, I bet you are." She drags her eyes down my body in a way that makes my jaw tighten. "Funny. You didn't offer to run errands for me after we hooked up. In fact you were in a hurry to leave."

  I stare at her, dead on. No smile. No softness. "That was one night. A mistake. And you know damn well it meant nothing."

  Natalie steps closer like she thinks she still has a shot. Like she doesn't remember I'm engaged to her sister. "You sure about that?" she asks, voice low like she's trying to sound sexy. "Because you look good, Taytum. You've always looked good, especially our night together that I think you are trying to deny you enjoyed."

  I set the basket down on the shelf beside me. Slow. Controlled. Because I'm done being polite.

  "Natalie, cut the shit." Her smirk fades a little. I take another step toward her. "You need to stop flirting with me. Stop trying to start something. Stop pushing boundaries because you think it's cute. I'm not interested. I'm engaged to Dani. I love your sister and I'm damn tired of you acting like that night meant anything."

  She opens her mouth but I keep going. "You knew I was hung up on a woman back then, and instead of acting like a decent human being, you used that to get attention. And I know I'm at fault for giving in but guess what, I regret that damn night, especially every time I see you."

  Natalie blinks, taken off guard. She wasn't expecting me to come in this direct but I've had enough. "And if you have a problem with Dani and me being together," I say, lowering my voice, "that's on you. But you don't get to disrespect my fiancée and our relationship. Not again."

  For the first time, she looks like she doesn't know what to say. I grab my basket, look her dead in the eye, and finish it. "Grow the fuck up, Natalie. And stay in your lane."

  I turn and walk away, not giving her a chance to throw one more comment at me. As I reach the self checkout, my phone buzzes. It's Dani. I open her message and it's a picture of her and KK. "On the way home with our girl. Miss you already."

  I breathe out, tension sliding off me. Yeah. This is the only woman I will ever love.

  After checking out, I carry the bags to my car and drop them on the passenger seat. I start the engine and sit there a second, letting the moment with Natalie drain out of me then head home.

  When I pull into the driveway, Dani's not here yet. I take the bags inside and set them on the counter. I put the chocolate in the fridge so it chills. She likes it cold when she is pregnant. She says it hits better that way. Then I leave the pickles and peanut butter out so she can raid them the second she walks in if she wants to.

  I wash my hands and start pulling out what we need for dinner. Chicken, rice, vegetables. Something simple because Dani will be tired and it's something KK will eat. I set everything on the counter then grab the seasonings. As soon as I set the seasonings down I hear her car pull in the driveway and I smile without even trying to. I walk towards the door just as it opens.

  KK runs in first, backpack bouncing. "Mama T!"

  I crouch and catch her in a hug. "Hey princess. You have a good day?"

  She nods fast. "I painted a frog but it did not look like a frog so my teacher said it is abstract." She shrugs like she has no idea what that means.

  "That sounds perfect," I say, ruffling her hair.

  Dani steps inside behind her, shutting the door. She looks tired but happy. The kind of tired that comes from a long day mixed with pregnancy mixed with being a mom. Her cheeks are flushed again, probably from the afternoon sun and the last traces of what we did before she left. Her hand rests on her growing belly in a way she does without thinking.

  I kiss her cheek. "Hey baby."

  Her shoulders relax. "Hey."

  KK drops her backpack and runs to the living room. The second she is out of sight, Dani leans into me for a breath. Not long, just enough.

  "You got the stuff?" she asks, eyes soft.

  "On the counter," I say. "Chocolate is in the fridge."

  Dani smiles like that alone could make her cry. "Thank you."

  "You want some now or after we start dinner?"

  "Now," she says without hesitation. "I need a few bites now."

  I walk with her to the kitchen. She spots the jars and lets out a low sound. "God, that looks good."

  Dani cracks open the pickles first. She eats one standing right at the counter, hand on her belly like the baby is going to taste it too. Then she grabs the spoon and digs into the peanut butter. She sighs. Happy. Content. Calmed.

  "You two ready for dinner after snack time?" I ask.

  She nods and leans her hip against the counter. "Yeah. What are we making?"

  "Chicken and rice plus veggies."

  "Perfect." She licks a little peanut butter from her thumb and looks at me with that half smile she gets when she thinks of something filthy. Watching her causes flutters low in my stomach.

  "You okay?" I ask quietly.

  Her eyes hold mine for a second too long. "Better now that I'm home with my snacks."

  I touch her cheek with my thumb. Simple. Gentle. She leans into it like she needs it.

  KK pops her head into the kitchen before Dani can kiss me. "Can I help cook?"

  "Yeah," I say, pulling back but keeping my hand on Dani's waist. "Come wash your hands."

  KK runs to the sink. Dani moves behind her to help turn the water on. She winces a little when she bends.

  "Back hurting?" I ask.

  "A little," she admits.

  I step behind her and rest my palm on the small of her back. "I'll rub it for you later."

  Dani breathes out, slow and grateful. "Please. That would be great."

  We start dinner. Chicken in the pan and water boiling for rice. Dani stays close, eating another pickle between steps. KK grabs a wooden spoon and stirs the empty pot like she is the chef in charge.

  For a moment, the kitchen feels warm and easy. Our life in motion. Dani glances at me over her shoulder, eyes soft, belly rounding her shirt a little. Everything about this feels so right.