Page 51 of Sweet Escape
My thoughts drift to Olivia in my home, in my kitchen, and in my bed, until a blur in the shape of my baby mama crosses in my periphery. I waste no time, dropping the dish into the sudsy water as I trail behind her down the hallway. A door slams shut before I can reach her. There is the distinct sound of retching on the other side, followed by a string of curses.
“Liv. Are you okay?”I ask.
She groans, and the muffled sound of her voice sayingsomething indiscernible is quickly followed by another round of vomiting.
“Do you need me to get you anything?”
“Oh my God, Wilder. Go away,” she screeches. “I donotneed you here for this again.”
I hold up my hands in a placating gesture, even though she can’t see me through the closed door. “Ok. I’m going. I’ll bring you some water and set it outside the door.”
I’m elbow deep in a sink full of dishes when I hear the sound of the toilet flushing and running water before Olivia emerges from the bathroom.
“Can we just pretend that didn’t happen?” she asks, twisting the cap back on the water bottle.
I chuckle. “You do realize you’ll be pushing a baby out of your body soon, and I’ll be there every step of the way. That’s way worse than a little morning sickness.”
“Great. Now I havethatto think about for the next six months.”
I dry my hands and turn to Olivia, hoping she can read the sincerity in my expression. “It’s the most beautiful thing in the world, and I can’t wait to be by your side when you experience it.”
She smiles and pads around the island, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Thank you. For everything. If I had to get knocked up by some rando on an airplane, I’m glad it was you.” There’s a teasing lilt to her voice, but there’s also an undercurrent of profound honesty that catches me off guard.
“Technically, you didn’t get knocked up on the airplane,” I say. “Do you need a reminder? I can take you on a quick trip down memory lane.”
Her shoulders draw up on a full-body shudder. She hugs me tighter.
I rest my cheek against her hair, inhaling the faint scent of her shampoo—vanilla coconut. “I’m glad it was you, too, Pretty Girl.”
Chapter 14
Paper Gowns and Peppermints
?Mine - Elly Holcomb ft Drew Holcomb
12 weeks: Baby is the size of a lime
Wilder: Did you know the baby is the size of a lime?
Olivia: I did know. The question is, how did you know?
Wilder: Downloaded an app.
Wilder: How are you feeling today? Any morning sickness?
Olivia: A little, but it’s manageable.
Olivia
I feelhim before I see him, like my body recognizes his presence the moment he enters a room—a tug at the tether that has somehow tied me to him from the moment I satdown in that window seat on that fateful flight three months ago.
“Morning, Cupcake,” he says in that gruff voice that has goose bumps erupting all over my skin. “I come bearing gifts.” With my hormones working overtime and Wilder’s proximity, I can kiss these panties goodbye. It’s like he has a direct line to my pussy. Too bad he’s not doing anything to help with the problem. It’s just me and my vibrators these days.
When I finally turn to face him, he’s holding out a paper bag. I glance around the diner, making sure nobody is eavesdropping, before stepping around the counter to put some distance between us. Opening the bag, I see a box of saltines, ginger ale, and a bag of peppermints.
“For the nausea,” he whispers.
Tears spring to my eyes as I take in the contents, and I sniffle against the prickling sensation in my nose. I can cry at the drop of a hat these days, or the drop of a cupcake if my meltdown in the kitchen is any indication.
