A high-pitched, little-dog yap sounds the minute we reach the porch, then Lily’s face appears in the sidelight by the door.
“He’s here!” Her yell is muted by the glass. She bounces up and down like a dribbled basketball. I remember Zack saying she’d literally jumped for joy at the zoo. That’s exactly what she’s doing at the sight of Zack. My chest feels like tight rubber bands are stretched around it.
Quinn opens the door, and the sunshine spills in on her. I’m struck all over again with how attractive she is.
“Hello!” Her smile is warm, and even though I don’t want to like her, it’s hard not to. Zack bends down and scoops up Lily. Lily throws her arms around him and kisses his cheek. His smile is wider and more genuine than any expression I’ve seen on his face since I got here. The bands around my chest squeeze tighter.
“So nice to see you again, Jessica,” Quinn says, holding out her hand to me.
I take it. “Nice to see you, too,” I lie. We shake hands, then Istep into her home. It’s as put together as her store, with a cool 1950s or ’60s vibe. It smells like banana bread. “You have a beautiful place.”
“Thanks.”
“This is Miss Jessica,” Zack tells Lily as he puts her down on the floor.
“I ’member. She’s the sad lady.”
“What?” Zack asks.
“She looked really sad at the hospital.”
“Well, I’m very happy I get to go to the aquarium with you today,” I manage. I hold out my hand, and Lily solemnly pumps it up and down. “I’m Zack’s wife,” I add, because he didn’t.
Lily doesn’t seem to register the comment. Zack straightens, and Lily grabs his hand as soon as she finishes shaking mine.
“Let me get my purse and I’ll be ready to go.” Quinn heads into the living area, and I peer into the dining room, taking in the midcentury table, the Telstar light, the tall-backed modern chairs. The only thing that seems out of place is a vaguely familiar box that saysFetal Doppleron the credenza. My heart contracts again. Quinn doesn’t look pregnant, but then, she’s still in the first trimester.
She comes back and smiles at Lily. “Do you need to run to the bathroom one last time, sweetie?”
“No,” Lily says. She’s still holding Zack’s hand.
“Are you sure?” Quinn asks.
Lily shifts from foot to foot, considering her options. “Be right back,” she tells Zack, and races around the corner.
Quinn and Zack exchange a smile, like doting parents. Quinn’s gaze moves to me, as if she’s trying to include me in the moment, but I still feel like a third wheel. “Anyone want a bottle of water for the road?” she asks, gesturing toward the kitchen.
“No, thanks,” Zack says.
I hold up my hand. “I’m good.”
“I’ll grab one for Lily,” she says, heading for the fridge.
Lily whips around the corner. “I’m back!”
Quinn smooths Lily’s hair, the gesture unself-conscious and motherly. “I guess we’d better take my car.”
“We can take mine,” Zack says. “I bought a safety seat.”
Quinn’s eyebrows rise, and her mouth curves in a surprised smile. “You did?”
Zack nods. “I made a note of the brand and model you have, and I got one just like it.”
“Well—wonderful!” She looks at me. “He’s amazing, isn’t he?”
“Yeah.” The word feels like a hard rock in my throat. It isn’t easy, hearing the woman who’s carrying my husband’s child tell me how great he is. “Yeah, he’s terrific.”
—
