Page 31 of Rim Shot Rebound

“It’s fine,” she said.

“No, it isn’t. I should have remembered.”

“You did remember. You remembered the good stuff that I tend to forget. And you made an amazing meal.” She put a hand on his. “Plus, I’m actually hungry for the first time in forever, so you’d have to pry the plate from my cold, dead fingers before I stop eating this.”

To make her point, she stuffed a large pile of pasta into her mouth and wagged her thin, dark eyebrows, daring him.

If he hadn’t already been over the moon for this woman, he’d have fallen in love with her right then and there. “Understood.”

They ate the rest of their meal and caught up on the last couple days. They’d both been working and Eric had had a gig the night before, so they hadn’t had much time to talk since rehearsal.

Since Kelsey’s news.

He kept things casual and light all through dinner, then ordered her to sit on the couch while he put up the dishes.

“I’m not an invalid, you know. I’m just pregnant.”

“I know,” he called from the sink where he ran water over their scraped-clean plates. “Just let me soak these. The rest can wait.”

He dumped the plates and utensils in the dishwasher, put the leftovers in a container, and soaked the pan in the sink. When he finished, he took his glass and met Kelsey on the couch, where she sat hand-drumming on her thigh to an Evanescence song.

“You look like you’re feeling good.”

She nodded. “This week has been better.”

“Good. I’m glad. For you, I mean.” He cleared his throat. “So, I was thinking.” He tapped his foot nervously on the floor, then patted his own leg to stop himself. “I was wondering if I could go with you. To an appointment or something.”

Kelsey stiffened a little, but nodded at him with a wary tightness on her face. “Sure. If you want to.”

He held her gaze. “I do.”

He also didn’t want her to have to go through that alone. He knew she’d be terrified. This was getting close to when they lost the baby last time. This next check-up had to be nerve-wracking for her.

“It’s in a few weeks. I haven’t put it in my calendar yet, and the card’s at home.”

“Just let me know when, and I’ll be there.” He reached over and took her hand, playing with her short but powerful fingers and running his own fingers along her palm. “Thanks for letting me in. I want to be there for all of it, you know. For everything. For you and the baby. I want to be by your side for everything from now on.”

She smiled awkwardly, and he realized she was looking a little pale again. A little clammy, even. What if he’d given her bad scallops or something?

“You feeling okay?” he asked. “Is the food not sitting right?”

“It’s fine,” she said, but she still looked a little green. “Maybe too much butter for my stomach, but it was totally worth it.” She pulled her hand away. “I should probably get going.”

“Already? You sure you’re feeling all right?” He stood with her and looked at the clock. It wasn’t even nine yet.

“I’ve been working a lot the past couple days, that’s it.” She grabbed her phone and keys from the side table. “I’ve been passing out before eight-thirty most nights, so this is technically already past my bedtime.”

“You could sleep here, you know.” He brushed her hair from her face. “I promise I’ll leave you alone to sleep. I’ll even sleep on the couch if you want.”

She smiled and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Another time. I need to feed Michelangelo anyway.”

“Foiled by that turtle. Again.”

She laughed. “I’m telling him you said that.”

He walked her to the front door, then gave her a quick, soft kiss on the mouth. “You sure I can’t convince you to stay?”

She rubbed the side of his arm. “Not tonight. But thanks for dinner. I really did enjoy it.”

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