Page 194 of What We Brave
I open my mouth. Close it. "When you say it like that?—"
"It sounds ridiculous?" He steps closer, positioning himself between my knees. "Because it is ridiculous, sunshine. You think I don't know what you're doing? You're trying to freeze everything exactly as it is right now because you're terrified that if you change one thing, the whole house of cards collapses."
My throat is tight. "What if it does change things? What if we can't figure out a new routine and it just... falls apart?"
"Then we'll deal with it. We'll adapt." He takes the dish towel from my hands and tosses it on the counter. "But here's the thing, babe. You staying on a shift that's killing you because you're scared to rock the boat? That's not sustainable. Eventually something's going to break, and it'll probably be you."
Fuck. He's right. I know he's right.
"We're not that fragile," Reid says, his voice gentler now. "You, me,Blake—we're not some delicate soufflé that'll collapse if you sneeze wrong. We'll miss the morning pancakes, sure. But we'll figure out dinners, or midnight snacks when you get home, or I'll bring you coffee at the hospital on my lunch break and embarrass you in front of your coworkers."
Despite everything, I laugh. "You would absolutely do that."
"Damn right I would. I'd show up with one of those giant teddy bears and a boom box." He's grinning now, and it's infectious. "I'd serenade you in the parking lot. Make a whole scene."
"You're the worst."
"I'm the best, and you know it." He squeezes my thighs. "Apply for the job, Laine. Take care of yourself. Let us worry about adapting to your new schedule. That's literally the easiest problem we've ever had to solve."
"Easier than Blake's coffee?"
"Way easier than Blake's coffee. That shit was a legitimate health hazard." He leans in, his forehead touching mine. "You're not going to lose us by taking a job that won't wreck your body. You might lose us if you keep martyring yourself for no reason, though, because Blake and I will physically drag you to the day shift interview."
I'm smiling now, the knot in my chest loosening. "You make it sound so simple."
"Because it is simple. You're just overthinking it. Which, granted, is kind of your signature move." He kisses the tip of my nose. "But that's why you have me. To tell you when you're being ridiculous and then distract you with my devastating charm."
"Your what now?"
"My devastating charm. Keep up, Mitchell." He pulls back just enough to look at me, his expression softening. "Seriously, though. Apply. We'll figure out the rest. I promise."
I want to believe him. I do believe him.
"Okay," I whisper.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." I pull him closer, my hands finding his shoulders. "But if you show up at the hospital with a boom box, I'm breaking up with you."
"Worth the risk." He grins and kisses me, and I let myself sink into it.
"You know what I think?" Reid murmurs against my lips.
"What?"
"I think you need to stop thinking so much." His hands tighten on my waist. "I think you need to let me distract you."
"Oh, really." I'm smiling now, the heaviness from earlier fading. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
"I have some ideas."
He lifts me off the counter like I weigh nothing—show-off—and I wrap my legs around his waist automatically. His mouth finds my neck, and I gasp.
"Reid—"
"Mmm?"
"Take me to bed."
