Page 21 of Eternally London

“So”—he nods pensively—“me as a dad is a turn-on. Good to know.”

“Heck yeah, it is. You’d better drink lots of protein shakes when our baby comes because you’re going to need the energy.”

I turn away from him, pulling my hair up, and he zips up my dress.

“Oh, I’ll have the energy.” He chuckles.

I wash my hands and take one more quick look in the mirror before I nod to Loïc, letting him know to open the door.

We walk hand in hand out of the house and over to the buffet table, grabbing plates. Everyone else is already seated and eating.

“Oh, this looks amazing. I’m starving,” I say as I plop a large spoonful of cheesy mashed potatoes on my plate.

“Me, too.” Loïc piles some barbeque beef brisket on his plate. “You know, they say that having a baby tires you out. You might not have the energy for random bathroom hook-ups once the baby arrives, and that’s okay.”

He’s too sweet.

“Um, our baby is going to sleep through the night, not ever be cranky, and just be perfect all around. So, I’ll have loads of energy,” I say matter-of-factly, causing Loïc to laugh.

“I can’t wait for you to be a mom.” He shakes his head with a grin.

“What?” I ask innocently. “We’re going to have the most easygoing baby ever. Just wait.”

“All right,” he draws out.

“We are.” I frown.

“Sure,” he says in a placating tone.

“I hate you,” My eyes narrow.

“And I love you, babe.”

Several hours later, I’m exhausted but having so much fun as I bounce around with Paige and Sarah on the dance floor. Paige is definitely a little tipsy, and Sarah and I might as well be because we’re having just as much fun as Paige. We’re the only ones dancing at the reception. Save for a few of Dixon’s buddies’ dates and his mom and grandma, we’re the only girls at the wedding. It’s definitely a predominately male gathering.

Paige wouldn’t have had the slightest problem with finding a rebound guy here. Ethan’s lucky he was so quick on the draw. The two of them dance together during every slow song, kissing like a couple at their high school prom. It’s adorable. They’re definitely getting lucky tonight.

“I’m going to get another drink,” Paige calls out over the music. “Need anything?”

“I’m good,” Sarah says.

“I’ll just have another glass of water, thanks.” I excuse myself from the dance floor to go use the bathroom.

I’m finishing up in the bathroom when, suddenly, the air leaves my lungs. My chest aches, and fresh tears of disappointment fill my eyes.

I was so sure. I was positive. I felt different. Didn’t I?

But I couldn’t have been different because I wasn’t. It’s there. Right there on the toilet paper in my hand. The red blotch that crushes everything I thought I felt or thought I knew the past couple of weeks.

I was so sure.

I drop the paper into the toilet with a sigh. So many emotions race through me—anger, jealousy, disappointment—but the loudest is simply sadness. I’m just bummed. I was ready to start this journey with Loïc.

There’s a knock on the bathroom door.

“Hey, London…you in there?”

“Yeah.”

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