Page 22 of Breeding Clinic

“Smart. I never thought about how all of that planning and scheduling works.”

“Have you always worked at the bar?” I ask.

He lounges back in his seat, getting comfortable. “I grew up in it. Started out by rolling napkins and helping in the kitchen. Doing easy stuff like making dressing cups. Once I got to high school I started working there part time. I’ve done everything. Back of the house, front of the house. My dad is a firm believer that a good manager knows how to fill in any gaps to keep things moving. I took over ownership about five years ago when my parents decided to retire. They moved to Florida to get away from the cold and snow. What about you? Does your family live around here?”

“I have an older brother, but he lives in Chicago so I don’t get to see him very often. My parents still live here in my childhood home.”

“Have you told them about…”

I shake my head. “No. It’s early and I didn’t want to get their hopes up. My best friend Jen is the only one who knows.” A new thought occurs to me. “Have you told anyone?”

“Uh…” He scratches his chin stubble. “We told everyone. They’re really excited.”

I grimace. “You aren’t supposed to tell anyone for a while. At least until the second trimester.”

“Yeah, I’m realizing that now. I’m sorry. I didn’t know. They knew we were on a waitlist for adoption, but it’s so competitive for a baby. That’s why we decided on the co-parent route. It was more affordable than surrogacy.”

I wish he hadn’t told anyone, just in case. But there’s no way to unspill the milk. And if things don’t work out, I won’t be the one calling everyone with the bad news. I guess it’s fine.

“How are you?” he asks.

I play with the straw in my drink, using it to stir the tapioca pearls. “Better. Today’s a good day. I’m excited for the second trimester. The nausea should hopefully be gone by then.”

“Really? I thought it lasted the whole time.”

“It can for some, but not usually. Have you read any books about what to expect?” I ask.

His eyes light up. “No. Do you want to go with me? You can tell me which ones are good.”

“Right now?”

When he nods, I agree. He slides out of his seat and we go to his truck. I finish my bubble tea on the ride and toss it out when we get to the store. The bookstore smells like paper, ink, and happiness. It’s my favorite place other than home.

I show him where the family planning and parenting section is. The traditional favorites are there, plus some new ones that look interesting. I pick up a book with a pretty cover and flip through it.

“This is a good one, right?” He shows me the tried and true book that pretty much every new parent buys or gets as a gift.

“Yeah, that’s a good choice. Some of the advice might be old, though. I think it was originally written in the eighties.”

“I like the one you picked. The diagrams are nice.” He stands behind me, a hand going to my hip as Liam reads over my shoulder. He’s so tall and warm against my back.

“You should get it then.” I hand it to him and he palms it along with the other one.

“Anything else?” he asks. “What about that one? That doctor has a TV show. I’ve seen it play on the TV above the bar.”

His thumb draws circles on my hip. I try to follow what he’s saying as he reads the synopsis on the back page to me. His deep voice is distracting. I could listen to him read the classified pages and never get bored.

“Yeah?” he asks.

I have no idea what he asked me. “Yeah.”

Liam adds it to our growing stack and sets them down on a shelf. Then he stretches over me, his front rubbing against my back, to grab one from the top shelf.

He cracks a book open with one hand and drags his other hand around to my front. His palm covers my still flat belly. Cupping our tiny speck of a baby. Liam shows me an illustrated book he likes. All I can think of is how much I like being dwarfed by him.

His scent wraps around me, and I lean against him. His presence is steady, the rubbing of his hand sweet.

I feel… safe. Almost cherished.

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