“As friends,” I say quickly, grasping at anything at this point. “I would like to hear about your birth plans and”—I take pause, swallowing hard—“have you found out the sex of the baby yet?”
She shakes her head. “I want to wait right now. I’m still trying to make it through one day without throwing up, I don’t think I could put a sex label on this baby because right now, all it is to me, is demon child.”
Laughing, I nod. “Yeah, I don’t blame you there.” Taking a step forward, I lace my fingers with hers and rub the pad of my thumb over her knuckles. “Please have dinner with me, Adalyn?”
“I go to bed early.”
“How early?”
“Ten.” She chuckles.
“That’s not early, but don’t worry, I’ll get you home before bedtime.” I pull on her hand. “Please.”
She concedes, and heaves a heavy sigh. “Okay, what time?”
“Don’t sound so pained about it,” I joke, squeezing her hand. “What time works best for you?”
“How about five?”
“Dining with the early birds, I like it. I’ll pick you up.”
“I can actually meet you—”
Not going to fucking happen. I shake my head. “I’ll pick you up.” Gesturing toward the pink box, I say, “Enjoy the fritters, hand out the tickets, and make sure to keep one for yourself. Have a good day.” I bring her knuckles to my lips and kiss them softly. Wiggling my eyebrows, I say, “Don’t forget to text me back, because I have some great conversations planned out.”
Laughing, she takes her hand back and folds her arms across her chest, a glint in her eye. “Is that right? Real riveting text conversations?”
“Get ready to be blown away.”
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Taking the box with her, she walks behind the reception desk. “Don’t hype it up if you can’t deliver, Holmes.” That right there—that look, the teasing lilt in her voice—that’s the Adalyn who stole my heart. That’s the girl I’ve been craving, and seeing that little glimpse of her gives me hope.
“I always deliver, babe. Always.”
* * *
Hayden:Did you know alligators swim out of the way of a manatee’s path?
Adalyn: Is this the mind-blowing text conversation you were talking about?
Hayden:Just a soft opener. What did you think?
Adalyn:I think it’s kind of strange.
Hayden:Fun facts are always strange but useless information you can utilize to impress others.
Adalyn:Is that what you’re doing? Trying to impress you?
Hayden:If I am is it working?
Adalyn:I want to say yes to save your pride . . .
Hayden:Please, no pity yeses, I don’t think my heart can take them.
Adalyn:I think you could have opened up with a more useful fact.
Hayden:Manatees and alligators aren’t useful? Odd . . . give me a good example of a useful fact.
Adalyn:Because of water weight, a women’s shoe size can grow one full size bigger during pregnancy.
