DEXTER
The call came on a Tuesday evening. I was in the kitchen with Janey, preparing to lock up for the night. We had a huge supply of baking goods being delivered at the ass crack of dawn, and my feet were killing me.
My thoughts flitted from holiday ideas to my mom’s email from earlier. She’d doubled down on the idea of opening a Dexter’s Donuts in Grosse Pointe, sending me spreadsheets and photos of the property. She made a compelling argument, but it was a lot to think about with a baby on the way. I wanted to talk to Viggo and?—
And then I remembered that I had to give him space. I couldn’t lean on him anymore. The writing was on the wall. I could feel him pulling away, a little every day…like he was reestablishing boundaries. He’d taken on a project in Rutland last week that required long hours and a daily commute. For the first time in weeks I wasn’t sure when he’d be home or if I should ask.
I fucking hated it, but I understood. I mean, my stomach hurt and the headache I had earlier in the day scared the hell out of me, but I understood.
“Chris is making pot pie, bless his soul. I’m mentally prepared to find a black hole where my stove should be,” Janey snarked.
I rolled my eyes as I shrugged on my jacket. “Good luck.”
Buzz buzz
“I’ll need it. Your cell is vibrating on the counter, by the way.” She tugged a beanie over her short hair.
“Ah, thanks. See you tomorrow, Janey.”
“Bright and early!”
Buzz buzz
I waved, then reached for my phone, smiling at the caller ID. “Hi, Freya. How are you?”
“N-not good. I’m at the hospital. I think something’s wrong.” Her voice broke. “Call Viggo for me, please. Hurry.”
My heart lodged in my throat as a chill crept up my spine.
“I’m…okay. I’m on my way.”
Please let her be okay. Please, please, please.
I left a message for Viggo on my way to the hospital. Two fucking hours on the road was torture. I’d said I was going to stay in Burlington as she got closer to the due date, but I hadn’t done anything about that. I’d been too busy, and Freya had seemed fine. And I hadn’t wanted to be away from Viggo and…oh, fuck, my head hurt.
The last time I’d thought I was on the brink of a dream come true, I’d lost everything. I wasn’t sure I could go through that again. But this was different. The stakes were higher.
Much higher.
This wasn’t just about me. There was a woman grieving her friend, a brother honoring his sister’s memory, a grandmother grappling with her definition of family and duty…and the man who wanted to be the father his wasn’t. So much hope, forgiveness, and promise riding on this little person. It seemed like an unfair burden.
All I could think was that I wished Viggo was with me. I wanted to hear the low rumble of his voice reassuring me that everything was going to be okay.
The second I peeled into the hospital parking lot, I was out of my SUV and racing for the main lobby.
My phone buzzed in my hand. Freya again.
“I’m doing better. Don’t worry, okay? Viggo is here and?—”
“He’s here? I’m here too. I just arrived.” I raked my fingers through my hair and massaged my temple.
She said she was in the maternity ward. She sounded a thousand times better than she had earlier. Chatty, even. Her friend Alice was with her, Viggo was pacing, but everything was okay. “I’m sorry, Dex. I feel terrible.”
“Don’t. I’m relieved.”
I was also on the verge of a nervous breakdown, thank you very much.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, willing my blood pressure to return to normal.
