I choose to let her use of the wordboinkingslide. “We’ve been hanging out,” I say defensively. “We go for walks to the water to talk. We hang out on the couch and watch nerdy movies that Bo likes. I’m also still workingandgrowing a human. So yes, that’s all we’ve been doing. Sorry to disappoint.”
“How much talking do y’all need to do until you figure it out?”
I level her with a fierce glare. “We had to get to know each other, right? That was the whole fucking point of moving in together.”
“And?” Sarah asks.
“And what?”
“Do you know each other?” She throws her arms up, apparently exasperated.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“Andwhat?” I snap, crossing my arms in front of my chest tightly.
“Is he a good guy?”
“Yes, obviously.”
“And?”
“Oh my god, what now?”
“Do you feel safe with him?”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“Sowhat?” I yell.
“Are you in love with him?”
“Yes!”
Wait,what?
“No!” I say, panic-stricken. “No, no, no—” But it’s too late. Sarah is up from her seat, slapping the desk with both palms like a drum.
“Vindication!” she shouts, her hands like claws pointed at the ceiling.
“Shut up,” I whisper, rubbing my forehead. “Please,” I beg pathetically. “Don’t.”
“I was right,” she says, sitting back down. “Winnifred McNulty is inlove.”
“Sarah, I love him, but I’m notinlove with him.”
“Bullshit,” she spits, shaking her head.
“I mean it,” I say, my voice involuntarily pitching higher. “I mean it,” I repeat, steadier.
Sarah narrows her eyes on me, swiping her tongue across her teeth under closed lips. “Okay, then. Let’s play worst-case scenario.”
“Why?” I sigh out.
“Humour me,” she says, pushing the wheeled desk chair around the room until she’s directly across from me, our knees almost touching. She’s ridiculous but entertaining. I’ll give her that. “Worst-case scenario—a year from now. Baby is happy and healthy. Just think aboutyou. Tell me; no hesitation.”
