Page 35 of Seven of Hearts

I shook my head.

“And you...stared at the ceiling while I used you as a body pillow?”

“I stared at the fridge. Does that make it better or worse?”

“Why did you—” Leah’s attention turned to the refrigerator, and she quickly realized what I was talking about.

The sonograms were still pinned to the front.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” she said softly. “Even after watching the ultrasound and hearing the heartbeat.”

She got to hear the baby’s heartbeat?

“The first picture looks like a little bumblebee or something,” I said, trying to disguise the emotion in my voice with exhaustion.

She let out a tired laugh. “Yeah...It does.” Her hand slid over the back of mine where it still rested on her belly. “A little baby bee.”

“I should probably get going,” I murmured against her temple.

Leah nodded and crawled off the couch. “I’m sorry I never texted you back when you said you were thinking about me. I...I don’t really know where I stand with you. I didn’t know what to say.”

“It’s okay,” I said as I followed her to the door.

She twisted her fingers together. “Maybe you could text me again sometime...”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said with a tip of my chin. In one of those out-of-body experiences that were becoming more and more frequent, I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Get some sleep, honeybee. Hope you feel better.”

The sun was just peeking over the horizon as I made the drive to Will and Kristin’s house. To my surprise, Kylie’s car was in the driveway.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Kristin said, nearly spitting out her coffee when I let myself in through the front door.

Kylie stood beside her, shell-shocked. Will was parked at the kitchen table with his laptop and mug, but he didn’t share their surprise. It was almost like he knew.

“Decided to come stay for a bit,” I said as I wheeled my suitcase in.

“A bit, huh?” Will said with a smirk.

“The office is where the Wi-Fi is, right?”

Kristin dropped her mug and beelined for me with open arms. “I mean, I always have your room made up, but this is a surprise.”

I hugged her. “Sorry for being a dick the other weekend. I know you put a lot of work into throwing me a party.”

Kristin dismissed it with a wave of her hand. “I’m glad you’re here. But I have to go to work for a bit. Help yourself to the kitchen or whatever else you want.”

“Thanks, Kris.”

Kylie didn’t look quite as appeased with my explanation, but I wasn’t sticking around for her inquisition.

I headed up the stairs and hopped in the shower, rinsing off the airport funk. I toweled off as a car pulled up outside. I peeked through the blinds to find Leah in the DeRossis’ driveway, next door. She looked up at the house like she knew I was watching from my window.

My phone buzzed with an incoming text. She had sent me a photo of one of the sonograms.

Leah:Thanks for showing up for us last night.

11

LEAH

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