Page 101 of First Comes Forever

“What?Minnie is the worst. She sounds like she’s constantly huffing on a helium balloon.” Her smile is contagious. I was so happy to see her after an entire day of anticipating her arrival that I didn’t stop to notice how sexy she looks today.

Her hair is loose and wavy. She’s wearing a bright purple tank top that hugs her body, paired with black shorts. With such little clothes on, she looks cold. “Baby, I wish I had a jacket to give you.” I run my hands up and down her legs, trying to warm them. It’s late January in California. When the sun disappears at dusk, the temperatures drop dramatically.

“I’m okay. My fault. I dressed for the afternoon. I’m so sorry again I’m late. Did Alex or Tara notice? I feel bad they paid for my ticket. Were they upset?”

“Nah, they just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“How was the birthday cake?” she asks, pumping her eyebrows.

“I want to say it was gross so you don’t feel bad missing out but…”

“Dammit. It was magical, wasn’t it?”

I grimace. “Yeah. Really fucking good. A chocolate layer, then a strawberry layer, and they used this whipped frosting that I swear had crack cocaine in it.”

“Very inappropriate ingredient for a toddler’s birthday cake.” She shakes her head.

“I agree, but what sells, sells.”

She cackles at my joke as the Ferris wheel lunges forward and a recording plays overhead, instructing us to keep our arms, legs, and children in the vehicle at all times.

“Amani, what’s going on?” I finally ask as my smile fades, but her cheeks are still bunched and flushed from smiling so hard.

“What do you mean?”

“I thought today was going to be a tough day, but you’re so smiley. I know I’m notthatfunny. I’m medium-funny.”

She laughs again, proving my point.

“See? Are you a little high right now?”

She rolls her eyes. “Adam, I just drove two hours through very congested L.A. traffic. Obviously, I’m not high.”

“Then what is it, summer girl?”

Now she’s wearing a wicked little smile. But she waits until we’re at the peak of the Ferris wheel, surrounded by the perfect sunset view of California Adventure Park. We’re so high up, the pink and orange strips of sky seem within reach.

“Are you still all in?” she asks.

I know what she means before she clarifies, and it nearly knocks the wind out of me. I’m not a crier, but my eyes start to water. “No fucking way, Amani. What’re you saying right now?”

“Adam, I’m saying I’m pregnant.”

twenty-eight

Iwant to stay in this moment for eternity. The look on Adam’s face isn’t just joy and surprise.It’s relief.Like he’s finally reaping the rewards of everything he’s ever worked for. We’re the prize. This baby was his ultimate happily ever after.

The Ferris wheel stops right as we descend, and there’s intercom chatter about technical difficulties. There’s a grumble from passengers in the surrounding gondolas, but I’m thrilled. I want to be frozen in time.

“You have really pretty molars. Size, shape, and perfect alignment.”

“What?” Adam asks, raising a brow.

“Your jaw has been dropped for so long, I had time to study your teeth.”

He rolls his eyes as I laugh.

“Such a moment ruiner,” Adam mumbles.

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