“Finish your meal,” he said tersely.
“And if I don’t?”
“Then cease talking.” Atticus turned sharply and faced the sink. “I won’t allow anyone to besmirch your reputation. Including you,” he grumbled.
I ate another potato and decided to get the conversation back on track. “Maybe you see it as a missed opportunity, but I could never be with Salem in that way.”
He faced me again. “Ah yes. Because he was involved with the experiments. I hadn’t considered how that would affect your decision.”
“Not just that; I don’t feel anything for Salem.” I drew in two quick gasps and sneezed. When I sneezed a second time, Atticus handed me a napkin.
“I remember a time when people carried handkerchiefs,” he remarked.
“We were smart back then.” After blowing my nose, I wadded up the napkin. “I’m sorry. It’s the pepper.”
“Are you finished, or would you like another?”
“Don’t trouble yourself. I’m stuffed and couldn’t eat another bite. Thank you for this. Everything was delicious.”
“The first of many.” He collected the dishes. “While you were sleeping, I baked a chocolate raspberry cake.”
“You did not.”
“I did.”
“I shouldn’t,” I said but didn’t mean it. There was more than enough room in my belly for sweets.
“And why not? You’re entitled to pleasure.”
I swiveled in my chair. “That depends on how well you bake.”
“Oh, it does?” he boomed.
I laughed brightly, and when he carried a cake plate toward me with a fork in his other hand, I laughed even harder. “I’m not eating that! Salem told me to stay away from sweets.”
“Your Relic said nothing of sugar. Only salt. Milly isn’t one to overlook details, and she has experience with pregnancy.” Instead of cutting a slice with a knife, he used a fork and scooped up a substantial bite. “Open up.”
My lips pressed tightly as he stood before me, waving the fork in front of my mouth. But his silliness over the whole thing had me laughing again, and the next thing I knew, I was eating the most scrumptious cake.
“And?” He watched my mouth as I licked the chocolate icing from my lip.
“The raspberry filling is decadent. You could have been a baker in a past life.”
“I borrowed the recipe from an old friend.”
A sensation in my belly stole my attention, and I abruptly scooted off the stool.
I must have eaten too much.
When it happened again, I cradled my belly.
Atticus set the cake on the counter and clutched my arms. “What’s wrong?”
Is that what I think it is? No, it can’t be!I looked down at my stomach in disbelief.It’s alive. My baby is alive.
“It shifted.” Feeling the baby move inside me was more real than even seeing the wolf pup on the ultrasound. My stomach was visibly larger and felt heavier.
Just then, the baby did what felt like a somersault.
