Page 72 of The Way We Score

“No more tears.” My voice is gentle, and I pull her to me. “We got this, Cherry. It’s going to be good. I promise.”

She nods, stepping back. “I believe you.”

Looking around, I try to think of something to lighten the mood. “I think it’sDirty Dancingtime. What’s that quote?” Her brow wrinkles, and I explain. “You know, like inRoad House, he says ‘Pain don’t hurt,’ and it’s so over the top?”

“I carried a watermelon?”

“No…” I shake my head, thinking.

“You’ll hurt me if you don’t trust me?”

“Wow.” My chin pulls back. “That’s a good line. That’s inDirty Dancing?”

“You’ll just have to see.” Her tone is lighter, and the worry that’s been creeping across her face since she arrived is gone.

Maybe I should have more thoughts aboutthis, but I don’t. She’s happy. I’m fucking thrilled. It’s the easiest decision I’ve ever made.

Liv is having my baby, and I can’t stop smiling about it.

“It’s good, but that’s not the line. I can’t believe you of all people…” I’m about to give her a hard time when I catch a sparkle in her eyes, and I realize she’s messing with me.

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner,” she groans, and I lean down… stopping short of kissing her.

“No, they don’t.” I give the side of her hair a gentle tug as I pull up the movie on streaming. “Now get comfortable. Do you want a snack or something? Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m good.” She sits on the couch, pulling her feet up beside her. “I’m still full from lunch. That hamburger was delicious.”

She doesn’t look pregnant at all curling up on my sofa, but she said it’s really early. I don’t know anything about this stuff, which means I’ve got some homework to do.

“Man, I should’ve known something was up when you were only drinking sparkling water the whole time.” I grab a pillow and throw it on the floor, sitting in front of her.

“Why did you think I was here?”

“I wasn’t sure, but you had that look on your face, like when I saw you the first time in Newhope. I thought I was going to have to bust your ex in the lip. Or maybe your law partners.”

“My poker face has never been very good.” She stretches out, bending her elbow and propping her head on her hand.

“That’s all right. I’ve got you.”

The movie starts with blurry images of couples dancing to the song “Be My Baby.” I steal a glance at Liv lying on her side.

Her hazel eyes are fixed on the screen, and as the music plays, I think about the way we always dance. I think about being a teen and watching this movie with her, just waiting for it to end so I could pull her onto my lap.

I think about the nights she’d sneak into my bed, and I’d thread my fingers in her soft hair. I was so sure it was how my life was going to be. That part was settled, andI was happy.

Then I think about all the years I thought it was gone. I remember the night she got married, and I got drunk.

It was over, and I knew I’d never find somebody who made me feel like I did when I was with Liv.

She blinks to meet my gaze, and a smile curls her lips. “What?”

Glancing down, I think about what I said to Jack about telling her I’ve changed versus showing her.

Meeting her eyes again, I simply say, “This is good.”

Her smile broadens, and she slides her fingers along my cheek. “It is.”

Dr. Anderson’soffice is dimly lit and a tiny fountain sits on a table in the corner of the room. Flute music plays softly overhead, and a subtle, herbal scent drifts in the air—eucalyptus? Maybe it’s patchouli.

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