Page 62 of Strike Zone

“You’d watch it with me?”

“I’d do anything for you, Diana.” He thinks better of it the moment the words pass his lips. “Except put up with your middle-of-the-night leg twitches. You’re a goddamn UFC champ, and those motherfuckers hurt. I was crying like a little bitch baby last time we spent the night together.”

“I’d pay good money to see you crying like a bitch baby.”

“I bet you would. I’m sure there are a few things you’d pay money to see me do. Sorry, southpaw, I’m not for sale.”

“That’s not what I’ve heard.”

“You’re feisty this morning.”

“I guess you bring it out in me.”

“The desire to knock me down a peg or two every thirty minutes or so?”

“Yeah.”

He flashes that panty-melting smile just before the lights turn green. When we pull into the parking garage of the hospital, every nerve ending in my body kicks into high gear. “Time to meet our baby.”

* * *

“Come on in, you guys. You can put your purse down on that chair and hop up onto this table for me.” My heart is hammering in my chest, and I’ve never been so scared in all my life. Having Linc here makes this real in a way it hasn’t been until now. I’ve had scans by myself, but this is different. His energy in the room sparks an excitement that hasn’t been there before.

I gingerly set my stuff down, but Linc reads my face. “You got this, Momma. Now, get on the table and spread your legs,” he says with a sly wink.

My OB is trying to stifle a laugh. “Not that kind of ultrasound, I’m afraid. We’re far enough along that all I need is for Ms. Lexington to lift her shirt a little and just unzip the top of her pants.”

“Now, we’re talking.” He sticks his tongue out at me, pulling funny faces.

I roll my eyes in mock distaste. “You have the maturity of a twelve-year-old. You know that, right?”

“Moving on up! The last woman who said something like that to me put me at around ten. Look at me, I’m growing.”

“And when was that?”

“You, three days ago, when I couldn’t stop laughing at you.”

“You’ll have to be more specific.”

“You were laughing so hard while we were watching Weird Science, a fart slipped out, and your face was so stinking cute… pun intended.”

“Oh my God.” I clasp my hands over my face, but the OB just breezes past it as she squeezes some clear gel onto my stomach.

“Y’all are so sweet together, you’ll make amazing parents.”

We both stiffen at her assumption that we’re a couple, but when I open my mouth to correct her, the strangest sound fills the room—a rhythmic whoosh, pounding, strong and steady. My gaze snaps to the screen.

“And there’s baby’s heartbeat. Strong and healthy.” I reach for Linc’s hand, lacing it with mine and tightening my grip. I’m fighting back tears as the mish-mash of blips on the screen take form. Legs, arms, hands, and feet.

“Is it okay?”

“Give me a few minutes to take some measurements.” I look to Linc, worried that she hasn’t given an immediate answer.

“Take a deep breath, southpaw. I counted. There are two arms, two legs, one head. It’s going to be fine.” A warm grin spreads across his face. “Better than fine. It’s going to be beautiful, just like its mother.”

“Be still my heart. Where did you find him, Dee? I’m in search of a good man.”

“He just sort of appeared at my door, and I haven’t been able to shake him since.” I try to make light of the subject, waiting for Linc to interject, to tell her that we’re not a couple. That we’re only in this room together because we couldn’t stop fucking even though we had no desire to get to know each other as human beings in the beginning.

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