The puppy’s tail starts to wag, and my insides turn to jelly. All I want to do is pick him up and cuddle him.
“Where did you get him?” I slowly move closer to the cushion and get down on my knees.
Jacob kneels beside me. “A guy in my class was giving them away because his dog had a litter.”
The puppy ambles toward me, and I sit cross-legged to welcome him onto my lap. I run my hand over his soft little body, and he licks my wrist. His tongue is soft, and it tickles. As I pat his small head, I can’t stop smiling.
“What’s his name?”
“Scooter,” Jacob replies.
I snuggle Scooter close to my chest and kiss the top of his silky-soft head. “What a good name for you.”
When I meet Jacob’s gaze, I realize he’s been watching me with affection. “Do you like him?”
“Do I like him? Ilovehim.” I start to giggle when Scooter licks my ear.
Jacob reaches out to pat him. “I thought we could raise him together.”
I’m only half listening because Scooter is starting to chew on the string from my hoodie.
“If you want,” Jacob continues, “we could consider himourdog, not just mine, since you’re here so much anyway.”
The suggestion finally filters through my brain. I’m already so in love with this little angel of a puppy that I lean toward Jacob and kiss him on the cheek. “I love that idea.” Scooter wiggles in my arms. “Do you hear that? I’m gonna be your new mom.”
Only then do my thoughts creep to the pregnancy test in my backpack, and the anxiety returns. “Is this the surprise you talked about?”
Jacob chuckles. “What ... you were expecting more?”
I can’t seem to smile or speak. My whole body has gone numb, and I feel foolish to have imagined that he was going to propose. What a stupid pipe dream. We’re still in college. Getting married probably isn’t even on Jacob’s radar, nor should it be. He’s a practical guy.
Scooter tries to wiggle out of my arms, so I set him down on the cushion. He staggers around the squishy surface on clumsy paws.
Jacob lays a hand on my shoulder. “Something’s wrong. What is it?”
I shut my eyes and shake my head.
“Tell me.”
I finally force myself to look at him. “I thought, coming over here, that ...”
I can’t continue. It’s too embarrassing to admit that I was hoping for a ring. I’ll have to explain this another way.
I swivel on my knees and face him. “I have to tell you something, but I don’t want you to be upset.” I can’t find the right words, and Ifeel like I’m not making any sense. “I’m so sorry, Jacob. I’m not even sure how to ...”
I notice the color draining from his face. “How to what? Are you not ready for a dog? Or are you talking aboutus? Are you having doubts or something?”
Oh, my God. He thinks I want to break up. But nothing could be further from the truth. I love him more than life itself. I can’t even imagine being in this world without him.
“No, it’s nothing like that,” I assure him. “It’s something else and ...” I bury my face in my hands. “I don’t know how to tell you this.”
“Tell me what?” His words tumble out in a rush.
“My period’s late.”
Jacob stares at me blankly, and I understand that he’s processing what I’ve just said.
“How late?” he asks.
