“Gus? Seriously? They’ve been named for less than ten minutes, and they already have a dorky nickname?”
“What would you prefer?Aug? That’s not a name. It sounds like the sound someone would make after stubbing their toe.”
I roll my eyes, smiling toward my lap.
“Yeah, that’s right,” Bo says arrogantly. “Admit it. You love it.”
I sigh out. I don’t know if I love it, or if I just love thathedoes. “I do. It’s cute.”
“Damn right.”
“If our food doesn’t arrive soon, I’m going to eat myotherhand,” I say, unfolding my napkin.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Bo says exaggeratedly. “You can eat mine. It’s far bigger.”
CHAPTER 23
Seventeen Weeks Pregnant. Baby is the size of a pear.
“Okay,buddy!”Isay,kneeling in the shallow end of the pool. “Now I want you to ball your hand up in a fist.” I help Henry fold up his bigger hand. “Perfect! Now we’re going to swim as normal, okay? I just want to try something.”
Henry nods, presenting me two thumbs with both fists before he falls onto his tummy and starts swimming toward the far end of the pool. Cam hovers by the side of the pool, waiting for him there and shouting words of encouragement.
Henry’s smaller hand is a lot like mine but with a slightly less-developed thumb. It’s on the opposite side of his body, too, so it takes some trial and error to find the right method for him.
But we do.
Forty minutes into his one hour of private swim, he’s swimming straight and maybe evenfasterthan he was before.
Because of me.
“You did an awesome job today, Henry!” I say, kneeling next to the pool as he shakes water out of his floppy hair like a puppy, giggling.
“I was so fast!”
“You were!” I say, smiling up at Cam over his shoulder as he approaches.
“And I’m not bumping into the rope anymore. I went like an arrow! Straight!”
“Like an arrow, exactly.” I squish my face together, smiling so hard I can’t help it. “Great job, buddy.”
“Thank you, Winnie!” He throws his arms around my neck. “I’m gonna be a swimmer like you,” he says quietly before letting go.
I stand up, watching Henry walk toward the glass door where his parents are waiting for him. I wave to Cam and turn to walk toward the women’s changing rooms, but he stops me.
“Hey, wait. Come meet his parents. They’re going to want to thank you.”
“Oh, no, I don’t—”
“Win, c’mon.” Cam brings his hand up in the air, waving me toward them, in view of Henry’s parents. It’d be rude not to now.
I follow behind, wrapping a towel around me as I do. They’re bustling with excited conversation by the time I make my way over, and Henry is bursting with pride as his mom wraps him in a towel and a hug.
“Hi,” I say, waving shyly.
“Tonya, James—this is Win.”
“Win is the best swimmer of all time!” Henry shouts.
