Page 87 of Books and Hookups

“Not too high,” her mother called from the bench behind them.

Could that be us someday, Lucie, me, and our daughter? Lucie’d be the one pushing, of course, and I’d be the one worrying about her flying too high and falling. But could we be a family?

She might not admit it to herself, but Lucie needed me. That trip had been a bad idea, like I’d said. And who had she needed after? Me. She had to see that. We were stronger together.

Jesus Christ. Was she waiting for me to say it? To tell her I loved her and that we belonged together as a family?

To propose for real this time?

30

I Don’t Want a Nice Woman

The Color Purple

In a cocktail shaker, combine 1/2 ounce blue curaçao syrup and 1 ounce grape juice and shake. Pour into a lowball glass filled with ice. Top off the glass with black cherry seltzer. Garnish with blackberries and blueberries.

DANNY

“What are you so dressed up for?” Lucie asked when she opened her door.

“Our date.” I wasn’t exactly dressed up, but I’d ironed my jeans, and I had on the dark gray wool sweater Ma had gotten me for Christmas last year. Giuliana said it made my eyes look like topaz.

Lucie didn’t know it, but we were getting photographed. I wanted to show our daughter the pictures from today and be proud of how I looked. Smiling, I extended the bouquet of daisies.

She didn’t take them. “You said we were going for a walk. I spent ten minutes trying to tie my damn boots.” She held up a foot. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to put on shoes when there’s a beach ball strapped to your middle?”

I grimaced. “Sorry. You should have waited. I’d have helped you.”

“I don’t need help.” She tugged down her black tunic so it covered the stretchy panel in her black maternity pants. “And why would I need flowers for a walk?”

That was the problem with dating a journalist. She asked an awful lot of questions. “You don’tneedthem. I wanted to give them to you to show you I care about you.”

She fisted the front of my sweater and pulled me down for a kiss. It was rough and needy and demanding, like I hadn’t left her apartment an hour ago. Like we hadn’t slept together in her bed every night for the last week since she’d come home from her trip. At last, she pulled back. “We don’t need to go for a fucking walk for you to show me that. We can stay here and you can do that thing with your tongue. Though I’m going to need help getting my shoes off.”

Tempting as her offer was, I smoothed my sweater. “We have plans. We’ll go for a walk, and when we come back, I’ll fuck you senseless. I promise.”

“Senseless sounds amazing.” She pressed up against me, and I felt a jab against my hip. “See, even she likes the idea.”

I stepped back. “The thought of our daughter wanting me to fuck you is really confusing for my libido, you know.”

“Okay, I can understand that. But she’s excited about something. Feel this.” She took my hand and held it to the side of her belly. Something hard poked my palm. After a second, it happened again.

“What is that?” I asked.

“Foot? Or an elbow, maybe? I’m guessing it’s getting pretty tight in there, and she’s trying to make more room. Gotta say, I much prefer her kicking that direction than toward my bladder. Speaking of which, I’d better pee before we go.”

“I’ll put these in water.” I waved the bouquet.

In her kitchen, I pulled the vase from the top of her refrigerator. I knew she wouldn’t love the idea of moving out to the suburbs, but the kitchens out there were so much better. She’d have enough cabinets for more than one vase. There would be room for healthy snacks and her collection of barware. But the best part was that there’d be a room for the baby, with a separate office to write her books. And I’d take care of it all, from finding a place to handling the movers to ensuring everything was freshly painted and clean. All Lucie would have to do would be show up at our new home and sit down at her desk to write.

It would be great for all three of us.

I filled the vase with water, snipped the ends of the stems, and stuck them into the vase. I took a minute to wash the plate and cup in her sink and put them away. Yes, living together would be the best situation for all of us.

Lucie appeared in the doorway. “Let’s go before I have to pee again.”

My heart flipped. It was almost time for the big event. I clasped her hand. “Let’s go.”

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