Page 10 of Mad Love

She glances at the clock on the wall. Nine o’clock.

“I’ve usually had at least two cups by now,” she says.

I smile tentatively and her eyes narrow.

Clearing my throat, I look at Caleb for courage and get distracted by how cute he looks when he sleeps.

“Is he always this fucking adorable?” I ask.

“Every second of every day,” she whispers.

“You’ve spent a lot of time with him.”

It’s not even a question at this point. It’s obvious, the way she anticipates his needs. She’s known when he’s hungry, when he’s gassy, when he needs his diaper changed, the way he likes to be held. I’ve watched her handle him throughout the night, feeling helpless and completely overwhelmed.

I glance at Sadie and she’s avoiding eye contact now. I guess that moment of sharing is over.

“Can I have coffee before we talk?” she asks.

“Sure.”

She gives one brisk nod and runs her fingers through her long, dark brown hair. The light from the window casts reds and golds through it and it’s thick and shiny. Her head dips, but her eyes tilt up, watchful and somewhat accusing, as she catches me staring.

I turn away quickly.

There are two knocks on the door and I move toward it, opening cautiously. So far the hospital has been good about keeping this quiet, but I don’t trust it to stay that way. The sooner we get out of here, the better.

Penn’s eyes meet mine under the dark bill of his baseball cap. He’s got sunglasses resting on top of his cap and clothes he would usually not be caught wearing.

I snort. “You think people can’t tell it’s you?”

He lifts a shoulder and hands me the drink holder with four coffees instead of the two I asked for. I instantly feel bad for giving him a hard time.

“You’re saving me right now,” I groan. “Thank you.”

“Not a problem. I stayed at a friend’s near here last night, so I was close. Let me know if you need anything later.”

I nod. “I will. Really, man. Thank you.”

He grins and lowers his sunglasses, walking away. His massive frame makes the hospital hallway look cramped. I turn around and take the coffee to Sadie.

“He brought extra,” I tell her.

She takes a cup and a few creamers and pauses when she opens the lid and sees how creamy it already is. I make a face.

“Sorry, he might’ve just ordered flat whites—that’s what I usually get. Let me see what these are.”

I check the rest and they’re all the same.

“If it’s coffee, I’ll like it,” she says.

She takes a long sip and lets out a ragged sigh afterward.

We’re both quiet as we drink our coffee, and she’s on her second one when she meets my eyes.

“Okay,” she says.

That’s it.

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