“I want it over with.”
“I know.We need to walk the dogs, so let’s walk them a few blocks to that little pharmacy nearby.”
“You said you were hungry.”
Leaning back, he cupped her face and said, “I understand, Laylee.I really do.”His thumbs soothingly coasted over her cheekbones.“This is big, and I know it, but I’m promising you, we’ll get it figured out tonight.”
“You’re too blasted wonderful—you know that, right?People like you don’t exist.”
His slight smile made her feel better.“Look, the dogs are worried.”
She turned and there they were, crowded into the bathroom doorway, both of them wary.
Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away and went to her knees before them.“You two, I’m fine.”She embraced Maybelline, aware that the dog’s fur was still slightly damp, which meant now she’d smell like wet dog, too.Then she lifted Tank and kissed the top of his little round head.At least he, with his shorter fur, was dry.“You guys want to take a walk?”
Worry shifted to excitement.Maybelline gave a giantwoofand Tank turned three circles.Always, at the most frustrating times, the dogs could make her laugh.“A walk it is.”
Knox offered her a hand, which she accepted to stand.“You’re good with them,” he said.“Do you remember how you used to be afraid of Maybelline?Now she’s your gal pal.”
“I was such a coward.She’s just so big, it took a little time to get used to her, especially with the way she grumbles.”
“Sounds like low growling, I know, but it’s just her way of murmuring.”
Everything was easier with Knox.And she was being selfish.“You worked all day, and then you come home to me being a mess.”She got the leashes, and said, “If you want, we could eat at the park first.I know you’re hungry.”
“I think you’d rather get the test over with, right?Waiting to eat another hour won’t kill me.We’ll walk, buy the test—or maybe a couple of them this time, just in case—then I’ll order a pizza and it’ll be here by the time we come home.You can do the test, we’ll learn the results, and then either way, we’ll eat.”
He was assuming that no matter what, it’d all be fine and dandy.He had so much faith in her.
Ten minutes into their walk, she asked, “What if I’m pregnant and decide to have the baby?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, he said, “You’ll be an amazing mom.Skye will make a superior aunt, and Ford will love being an uncle.”He nudged her with his shoulder.“And I’ll still be here, unless you tell me to get lost.”
Get real.That’d never happen.She already relied on Knox far too much.“Like another uncle, huh?”Her problem was that she wanted more, and she didn’t see how a baby from another man would fit into that picture.
“No,” he said, “definitely not an uncle.I’d prefer—” Before he could say anything else, Maybelline lunged to the side to happily sniff something interesting, and Knox stumbled.He laughed.“Get your nose out of that, Maybelline.It looks like a horse came through here.”
“People are rude, not to pick up their dog’s messes.”
He shrugged.“I’ll assume someone forgot their disposal bags.Or it could be some poor stray dog.”
Tank investigated too, then lifted his leg and peed on it.
They both laughed and started walking again.The day was still far too hot and humid for comfort, but now a breeze stirred the air and clouds blocked the grueling sun.They passed plenty of kids playing in their yards, and then, farther up the street, a playground where some moms and dads sat on benches while their children used the swings and slides.Other parents were busyhelping their toddlers with various things, and out in a field some boys were kicking around a soccer ball.
Kids.They were pretty wonderful, right?Not that she knew a lot about them—except that she once was one.She knew they were loud; she could hear them now, shouting and laughing.Messy, too; every kid she saw on the playground was sweaty, with dirty feet and probably dirtier hands.As she saw one dad use a tissue on his son’s runny nose, she accepted that they got sick.Another was making demands, a few needed nonstop attention.…
But there was also a girl laughing from atop her dad’s shoulders.Another hugging his mom and giving her a kiss on the cheek before taking off again.A toddler laughed as a mother gently pushed him on a baby swing.
Seemed to Laylee that parenting was both give and take, fun and seriousness, snotty noses but also tight hugs and happy giggles.
“Hey,” Knox said, nudging her again.“You okay?”
She nodded, saying with resolution, “I’m not going to borrow trouble, not until I know for sure.”
“Good plan.”He picked up a ball that came his way and sent it back to some preteen boys.“Test first, decisions after.”Then he surprised her by adding, “Thanks for letting me be part of this with you.”
Laylee scoffed.“There’s no way you can mean that.”
