Page 64 of This Memory
She nodded and wiped tears away. “I know. I’m just… I wish it were me.”
I took her hands in mine and gave them a soft squeeze. “I know. I do too.”
Drawing her to me, I hugged her while Denny mouthed that he was sorry. I honestly couldn’t imagine how they were feeling, and I had to remind myself that as time went on, and it became more apparent I was pregnant, I was going to have to accept Evelyn would likely have an even harder time with things. That was evident.
We stepped apart, and Evelyn took a tissue Denny handed her. “Can we take you to get something to eat?”
I shook my head. “No, I have to get back to the store. Rain check?”
Evelyn nodded as Denny gave me a quick hug. “Thanks, Bry,” he whispered, before stepping back toward Evelyn.
“Be careful driving,” I told them.
Then I slipped into my car and pulled out of the parking lot.
“Oh my gosh,” I whispered to myself. “This is going to be a long pregnancy.”
When I returned to Memory Lane Toys, I had to push Evelyn to the back of my mind. We were busy since it was getting closer to Christmas. I made a mental note to put an ad out to hire some seasonal help.
After the day was finally over, I went to flip the sign on the door to closed and saw Gavin standing there. He was dressed in his uniform, and damn if he didn’t look hot as hell.
I opened the door and motioned for him to come in. I looked both ways down the sidewalk and shut the door, flipping the sign and pulling down the new shade I’d had installed after my midnight rendezvous with Gavin. If that wasgoing to happen again, I didn’t want anyone from the street to see us.
“You alone?” he asked, walking toward the counter.
“Nelly left just moments ago, out the back door. We were packed this afternoon.”
“Christmastime is good for the toy business.”
I smiled. “It is.”
“How did the appointment go today?”
My smile faded, and a look of worry appeared on Gavin’s handsome face.
“Everything is fine with the baby. We saw the little peanut on the ultrasound and heard its heartbeat. Dr. Lark said everything looked great.”
He nodded. “That’s good news, but why do you not look happy?”
I sighed. “I’m happy. I’m just annoyed.”
“Want to talk about it?” he asked.
I looked at his uniform. “You still working?”
“Nope, my shift is over.”
Walking up to him, I placed a hand on his chest. “As sexy as you are in this uniform, and as awesome as it would be to have a bit of fun in the storage room, I’m starving. Care to take a knocked-up woman out to eat?”
Gavin laughed. “Rumors will start.”
I shrugged. “Who cares? I mean, unlessyoudo?”
He shook his head. “I’d be honored to take you out to dinner. What are you in the mood for?”
“A stromboli with extra jalapeños.”
He screwed up his face. “Extra?”
