“Yeah,” he says, turning off the machine.
I start to sit up.
“Wait,” he says. “I’ll get you a paper towel.”
I lie there, my heart still drumming. He returns, reaches out as if he were about to wipe my tummy, and then hesitates. Our eyes meet, and goose bumps cover my skin.
“You should probably do this,” he says, handing me the towel.
I don’t trust my voice. I nod, wipe off the gel, and sit up.
“Well,” he says.
“Yeah. Well,” I inanely echo.
“I, um, should probably go,” he says. I nod and walk him to the door.
I lean against it after I close it behind him, my heart racing, my knees weak.Nothing actually happened, I tell myself.
And yet, I’m pretty sure something did.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
Zack
Thursday, July 11
THE NIGHT BEFOREMargaret is due to come home, Quinn and I are sitting on the porch swing in Quinn’s backyard, watching fireflies, after tucking Lily into bed. The screen door is open so we can hear Lily if she needs us.
The swing rhythmically creaks, in sync with the thrumming music of cicadas and tree frogs. “You asked me a while ago if I’d put you down as Lily’s guardian in my will if anything happened to me,” Quinn says. “I called my attorney, and he’s done that. I’ll have him send you a copy of the paperwork.”
My chest feels tight. “Thanks,” I say. “That means a lot.”
“Well, you mean a lot to Lily.”
“I’m crazy about her.”I’m crazy about you, too.It would be wrong to say the words, and yet they’re there, burning on my tongue.
Quinn’s gaze is warm on my face. “I’m really glad Margaret found you.”
My heart thumps against my rib cage. “Me, too.”
“Even though it cost you your marriage?”
“It didn’t,” I say.
She looks at me quizzically. I want to explain more—to tell her that the marriage was already in trouble, that Jessica and I had never really felt like home to each other—but it’s too soon. I’m still married, and it’s not right to talk about that yet. Besides, there’s something I need to tell her about Jessica that’s been weighing on my mind all evening.
Quinn changes the subject before I get a chance. “I’m so excited about Margaret coming home tomorrow!”
“I’m sure she’s excited, too. What can I do to help?”
“Could you possibly get here around five thirty to watch Lily while I pick up Margaret? She wants to complete her group exercise class before she leaves rehab.”
“Sure.”
“Great. That way you can let in everyone for the party.”
“No problem.” The swing creaks. “I’ll have to leave the party a little early, though.”
