Page 194 of Twins for Three Bad Boys

“How is it?”

I look out over the yard. “Humid. Judgmental. Fed me too much.”

She laughs again, clearer now. “That sounds about right.”

“You okay?” I ask.

I hear it in the little inhale she takes before answering.

“Mostly,” she says. “A little scared still. A little overwhelmed. Millie brought me muffins and a lecture today, so apparently I’m being community managed.”

“That sounds about right too.”

“She said if I keep trying to carry everything by myself, she’s going to hit me with a baguette.”

“I’d pay to see that.”

“She said the same thing.”

I can picture it so easily it hurts.

The yellow light in the kitchen. Her face going bright when she’s amused. The way she tucks her feet up under herself when she’s sitting somewhere she feels safe.

I close my eyes. “June.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve been thinking.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

“It usually is.”

“What about?”

My thumb traces the edge of the porch armrest. “About the baby. About you. About what any of this means.”

She goes very quiet on the line.

“I know nothing’s decided,” I continue. “I know you’ve got time and options, and I’m not asking you for anything tonight. But I need you to know something.”

She doesn’t interrupt.

“If you want this baby, and if you want me in your life while that happens, I’m in,” I say. “Not halfway. Not when it’s convenient. Fully.”

My throat tightens a little on the last word, but I push through it.

“Mine or not, June. I mean that.”

Silence.

“Rex.”

“Yeah, darlin’?”

“You don’t have to say things like that just because I’m scared.”

“I know.”