“A minor hiccup?” She laughed so hard she snorted, reminding me of our nights in her hotel room. “A minor hiccup? That’s what we’re calling pregnancy now?”
“What do you call it?”
“Under the circumstances, a life sentence.”
I assumed the life sentence was about Finn, not about being a mom.
“You don’t have to go through it alone. Give me a second chance. Let me prove I can be here for you.”
She sighed. “Is it really a second chance if you didn’t actually do anything wrong?” A soft smile played across her lips.
“In this case, yes. I need a second chance to take you out. To wine and dine you.” She laughed. “Okay, just dine you.” It was my turn to laugh. “You know what I mean.”
“I do.” She turned to face me. “Are you sure?”
“I am. But we have to talk. Make sure we’re on the same page and set some ground rules.”
“Ground rules?” she asked.
“For starters, no more secrets.” I set the same rule she had the last time we talked. Now that the big ones were out in the open, I didn’t think it’d be a problem. I longed for our return to easy, flowing conversations.
Which meant I needed to find the courage to share more than I had.More than I feel capable of.
One step at a time, my therapist’s voice whispered in my head.
“Okay. What else?”
“You’re not allowed to insult my girl anymore.”
“Your girl?”
Yeah, because I already knew I wouldn’t give her up now that I had her.
“Is that a problem?”
Her shy smile brought out more of my caveman characteristics as one word flashed through my mind.Mine.
“No.”
“Anything you want to add?”
“Yes, but can we get lunch first?” Her stomach growled.
I’d forgotten she and Emily had planned on having lunch at Grannie’s, but my interruption cut their lunch date short.
“Of course. What do you want?”
She hummed as she thought about it. “Pizza.”
“Pizza it is. What toppings should we get?” I didn’t get to finish before she answered. Hawaiian.
That had to be the hormones talking. Pineapple on pizza was disgusting.
“Now I’m rethinking things.” I squeezed her leg, so she’d know it was a joke.
“What? Pineapple on pizza is delicious.”
“It’s a crime.”
