Chapter 0247
“Dinner,” I said with a small smile. “Or the closest thing we can get right now.”
Noah prodded one of the bags of chips with his finger and eyed me warily. “You’ll really eat this stuff?”
I shrugged and nodded. “I don’t have much choice right now. And besides, I’ve missed all this glorious junk food over the years.”
He smirked slightly. “Finally coming back to the dark side, huh?”
Nodding, I climbed onto his bed, sitting cross-legged across from him. After a moment’s hesitation, Noah reached out and grabbed one of the bags.
“This feels like we’re kids at a sleepover,” he commented as he unwrapped a bag of cookies.
I laughed, the sound surprising us both. “Well, it’s better than thinking about why we’re really here.”
We ate in companionable silence for a while, the rustle of wrappers the only sound in the quiet room. As I watched Noah relax, I felt a warmth in my chest. This felt… nice. Normal, even.
“Remember when we used to do this?” I asked suddenly.
Noah furrowed his brow. “When we got married, you mean?”
“No,” I shook my head. “Before that. Like when we first met, when my sister and I were on vacation, and we raided the snack pantry at your parents’ house.”
For a moment, Noah just blinked at me in confusion, and I felt my stomach drop slightly. He didn’t remember, did he?
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I don’t…”
“Forget it,” I said, waving my hand and forcing a small smile. “It was a long time ago.”
Neither of us said anything else after that. I couldn’t deny the disappointment in my chest at the thought that he had truly forgotten our first meeting. It reminded me of how he’d gotten the dates mixed up at that party all those weeks ago.
It wasn’t that long ago, really. In fact, I still remembered it like it was yesterday. But it seemed that Noah’s memories of that week together were somewhat less… profound.
We ate for a little while longer, eventually clicking the TV back on to watch some cheesy soap opera. Soon, the snacks dwindled, and we were left with full bellies. As I watched TV, my hand fluttered to my stomach, feeling the slight swell there.
I should tell him, I thought, pursing my lips. Perhaps it was time. I’d begin to show soon anyway, and then I really wouldn’t be able to hide it from him. Finally, deciding to just do it, I sat up and took a deep breath.
“Noah, I’m pregnant.”
But there was no answer. Turning, I realized that Noah’s eyes had drifted shut. His breathing had evened out, and he was leaning slightly to one side. He had fallen asleep.
I looked down at him, feeling a mixture of disappointment and… relief. Part of me was glad I wouldn’t have to deal with his reaction right now, but another part wished he had heard me.
Sighing, I decided it was time to sleep myself and stood to head back to my own bed. But as I moved, Noah’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. I gasped, nearly losing my balance as he pulled me back toward him.
“Noah?” I whispered, wondering if he’d heard me after all, but there was still no answer; he was still asleep.
His grip was strong, and before I knew it, I’d fallen onto the bed beside him. Noah’s arm wrapped around me, holding me close. I froze, unsure of what to do. It seemed his wolf had reacted instinctively in his sleep, wanting to keep me near.
The last time we had slept together like this was… I couldn’t even remember. I should get up, I thought. I should go back to my own bed. But as I lay there, listening to Noah’s steady heartbeat, I found myself unable to move away from him.
Before I knew it, I was drifting off to sleep, nestled safely in Noah’s arms.