“All right,” Tori said with a shrug. “Should I take it for a little drive now?” She looked down at her tennis shoes. She was still wearing my T-shirt over her sweatpants—easily the best outfit I’d ever seen on her.
“Whenever you want.”
“Let’s go together.”
We got Bella settled in the backseat and went for a little drive through the misty morning.
“Let’s go to my favorite viewing spot,” Tori said.
“You have a favorite viewing spot?”
She nodded, her lips curling in a slow smile when she glanced over. A few minutes later, she turned down a side road that led us up to a small parking area at the top of a rise. The overlook offered a sweeping view across the valley below—tall grasses with a stream winding through and the ocean visible in the distance. The grasses waved in the breeze as the sky turned shades of tangerine, gold, and soft pink.
We watched quietly while Bella sniffed every inch of the wooden railing at the edge of the overlook. I stole a quick glance at Tori. Her hair was still tousled, and her cheeks a little pink from the cool air. This wasn’t just a beautiful morning. It was the beginning of more for us.
As the sun rose, its rays broke through the clouds and glinted on the stream below. We made our way back to her house, showered, and headed into town. Tori wanted coffee. We’d switched over to my truck, since the plan was to pick up a new battery for hers.
I felt her gaze on me before I flicked a glance toward her. “What is it?” I asked.
She took a quick breath. “When do we tell people about the baby?”
“Ohhh,” I said slowly. “I figured I’d leave that up to you.”
“It’s not up to just me. It’s your baby too,” she pointed out.
“I know. But it just seems like, in this, I should defer to you. You’re the one who’s going to be, well, quite literally growing the baby.”
She let out a quick breath. “I know. I don’t know. Some people already know.”
She had told me last night that she’d talked with Tish, Casey, and Luna. “Okay. So maybe we don’t wait. If you’re ready, I’m ready.” When I pulled into the parking lot at Firehouse Café, I turned off the engine and looked over at her. “I just want to make sure this is what you want.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, her brow furrowing.
“Having a baby. You can still change your mind.”
She held my gaze for several long beats before she finally nodded. “I know, and I appreciate you saying that. But I’m ready. It feels right, and it feels right with you.”
My heart gave a resounding kick against my ribs, as if in agreement with her—which was maybe odd, but that’s exactly how it felt. I meant what I’d said: if Tori wasn’t ready, I would’ve supported her, no matter what.
But the idea of having a family with Tori—who I loved—meant everything to me.
“I’m going to follow your lead,” I told her.
She eyed me. “What do you mean?”
“Just that.”
When I opened the café door and held it for her, motion caught my eye. I glanced over to see Griffin and Tish pulling in. Moments later, we were inside, standing in line. Janet happened to be at the counter. She was often there, but not always.
“What are you doing here so early?” I teased.
Janet flashed a grin. “I still like to come in early sometimes. Remind myself that getting up to be here by five-thirty has been a part of my life for—” She paused and let out a wondering laugh. “Oh, my gosh. Almost forty years.”
“Is this the first time you’ve counted?” Tori asked.
Janet shrugged. “Oh, I think about it. It’s just that saying it out loud makes me feel old.”
“You’re not old,” Tori said stoutly, just as Luna walked out from the back.
