Page 59 of The Wish List
Trinity nodded and tried not to burst out laughing again. “Sound advice.”
“Seriously need a do-over,” Ash muttered as Abigail moved to a nearby table.
Trinity broke off a piece of bread and held her knife aloft over the two ramekins. “What’s it going to be? Do we go regular butter or...?”
Ash picked up his knife and dunked it into the garlic butter. “Garlic all the way,” he told her.
This conversation should not resemble flirting or foreplay, but Trinity’s body didn’t seem to get the memo. A shiver passed through her, and she trembled a little bit as she popped the bread into her mouth.
“Wow,” she said on a moan. “They should call this better-than-sex bread. It’s unbelievable.”
She realized her blunder, and her eyes popped open to find Ash grinning at her. He inclined his head. “It’s incredible, but let’s hold off on naming it quite yet.”
Talk about a flood of heat. Trinity could barely make eye contact with Abigail as she returned to the table with the calamari. “You have two dipping sauces, marinara and a lemon aioli for—”
“My water,” Trinity said on a gasp. She went stock-still. This could not be happening. No, no, no.
“I can get you more water, honey,” Abigail said. “Is the garlic too spicy?”
Trinity focused on drawing breath in and out of her lungs. Then she sucked in another gasp as pain sliced through her. “My water broke,” she said. “I think I’m having contractions.”
She felt paralyzed, at a loss for what to do next, but Ash showed no such worry. “We’re going to get you to the hospital,” he said.
Trinity shook her head. “I’m a mess. I can’t...you can’t...”
Abigail offered a sympathetic smile. “Honey, you’re in good hands.”
As if sensing trouble, Angi Guilardi appeared at the table. “What’s going on?”
“She’s in labor,” Ash said, already taking Trinity’s elbow to guide her out of the booth.
“No.” Trinity shook off his touch. “This isn’t how it was supposed to happen. Nobody goes into labor on a first date.” She stared straight ahead and did her best not to panic.
Angi pushed Ash aside and scooted into the booth next to Trinity. “It’s wet,” Trinity whispered. “Sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
Trinity could see Ash looming over them out of her peripheral vision, hands on his hips. “We need to go.”
Angi turned and pointed at him. “Pull your car up and call Beth Carlyle. She’s going to want to meet you at the hospital. She’ll get ahold of the doctor.”
“I can help her.”
“By getting the car,” Angi repeated.
“Please, Ash,” Trinity added.
He looked like he wanted to argue but nodded. “Don’t dawdle,” he told them and stalked away.
“I have to say it’s pretty charming that a man who looks like that can use the worddawdleso confidently.” Angi placed an arm around Trinity’s shoulders. “Right now, we’re focused on you. I know this wasn’t the plan, but your son didn’t get that memo. You need to adjust. Trust me, this is the first of about a million adjustments you’re going to make as a mother.”
“My baby doesn’t have a father.” Trinity winced when another contraction pulsed through her. “At least he’s not in the picture. Why did I think I could do this on my own? I can’t. I changed my mind.”
Angi tightened her grip, squeezing gently. “You’re not going into it thinking you know everything, which works in your favor. You’ll be willing to learn and try new things and be creative. Most of all, you are going to love your child. Every parent makes mistakes, Trinity. Some big ones on occasion. Love is what will see you through.”
“I can’t do this,” Trinity repeated. “It’s too soon. It’s not right.”
“I was a single mother, and there was no logical reason on the planet for me to think I could be successful. Do you want this baby? Because you have options even now.”
