“Are you—you’re serious?”
I look her dead in the eye as I pull out another book and drop it in. Her scowl morphs into amusement, and she rushes forward, grabbing my hand. “Okay. Fine. I’ll get some. Just…chill.” Without looking, she snags a book and shoves it at me. “Here. Happy? I got a book.”
“You realize we’re only having one, right?”
Willa’s eyes drop to the bright pink cover titledHow to Survive Multiplesas she chews the inside of her lip. A giggle slips out of her, and she hides her face behind the book. A tiny snort is followed by more laughter as she turns away from me. The whole interaction is so ridiculous, I can’t do anything other than grin at how tickled she is. She tucks the book back onto the shelf and, in that time, a somber look falls over her face. “Are you nervous?” The vulnerable tremble in her voice prompts me to step toward her.
“Hell yeah, I’m nervous. I didn’t sleep at all last night.”
“Me too.” She lets out a shaky breath, her gaze dropping to the floor between us. “And I think I’ve been using it as an excuse to shut you out.” She takes a step toward me and puts her hand on my arm. “I think you were right, though. Becoming friends is going to be the only way to survive this.”
I clutch my chest, sighing dramatically. “ThankGod, Willa.” She pushes on my shoulder, but a smile slides on her face. “Now get your books.”
“Okay, but I’m only getting two.”
“I saw you snap pictures of at least ten. Get them all.”
“Fine, three.”
“Five.”
“Seriously, Trevor? You’re going to fight me on this?”
“Notice how I haven’t emptied the basket yet? I’ll walk to the register right now…”
Willa rolls her eyes and plucks a few books out of the basket, swapping them for others on the shelf. “What are you getting?” she asks.
“Oh. Nothing. I have my sister on speed dial for all things baby related. This trip was just for you, Gem.” I chuckle as her jaw hinges to the floor. Turning on my heel, I walk to the register before she can take back anything—a bookorour budding friendship. If that’s the kind of relationship she wants, I’ll take it.
“So how isthis supposed to work?” Willa asks as we settle on her couch. The books from the store lay scattered across her coffee table. “You’re in San Francisco.”
“For now, I plan on flying down for all your monthly appointments. And I’ll check in with you every day, get you anything you need, but youhaveto tell me what’s going on. I’m so serious,Willa.” I place a hand on her arm. “Anything. Even if the wind blows dust in your eye or you’re craving chocolate at midnight. I want to know everything.”
Willa nods, staring at her lap.
“And the closer we get to the due date, I’ll look into working remotely from the LA office.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out…” she murmurs, wringing her hands. Her eyebrows dip as she scans the floor.
“Hey.” Grabbing her hand, I encase it in both of mine. I expect her to pull away, but she doesn’t, instead, shifting her gaze to my face. “Talk to me. Let me in.”
She sniffs and shakes her head. “What if something happens?”
“Something like what?”
“I don’t know. Like, what if the baby kicks for the first time while I’m driving and I freak out and crash the car?”
“Then I’ll be on the first flight out to make sure you’re okay.”
“What if something goes wrong with the baby?
“I’ll drop everything to get here, and we’ll handle it together.” I squeeze her hand for reassurance, but she scoffs.
“That can’t be your solution for everything, Trevor.”
“Try me,” I say with a smile.
“Okay. What if the baby has seventeen toes and they want to operate before birth?”
