Page 134 of Playing For Keeps
“Me too. Let’s go out onto the balcony. The weather is perfect, and I love our view.” She leads the way.
Once we get outside, we sit at the patio table. I place my drink down with my shoulders stiff and sore.
“Dori, do you have any regrets?”
Her emerald eyes shine my way. “None. Isn’t that wild? I’m in a daze because the whole thing is surreal.”
My tense muscles release and all my fears fall away. “You’re so brave and strong. You steal a piece of my soul every day.”
“Jami, all I did was remove my IUD. It didn’t even hurt like she said it could. How does that make me brave and strong?”
“Don’t downplay what you did. You’ve had a lot of fears and concerns about getting pregnant, so taking out your IUD without much time to think about it is astonishing. Give yourself some credit.”
Her face lights up as she takes a sip of her wine. She rests back as she places her glass down and gazes out to the ocean.
“You know, Jami, you’re right. I’m going to give myselfsome credit for making that decision without running away, but this feels right.”
“It does for me too.”
She stands and strolls over to the railing, then turns to flash a smile at me. “I’ve done a lot of work in therapy around my miscarriages. There have been times I didn’t think I was making any progress, but the way I feel now is intoxicating.”
I get to my feet and stand before her, resting my hands on her hips. “Why do you think that is?”
“It’s like I’ve had this green monster standing over my shoulder, whispering he would take away everything I’ve always dreamed of having if I let myself go there. By making a firm decision today to go after what I want, he disappeared.”
“And what if things don’t go how we want?”
“Then at least we tried. This way, we’ll know for sure what’s meant to be. I’m done trying to control the outcome and having the need to make things picture perfect.” She places her palm over my heart. “I want this life with you, Jami. And that includes trying to get pregnant. I’m ready to take a chance.”
“No matter what happens, you’re always my first priority. I only need you in my life. Everything we dream of having that comes along is icing on cake. I need you to understand that.”
“I do. That’s why I decided to get my IUD taken out.” She circles her arms around my neck. “I’m not saying I’m not nervous. But like Dr. Maddox said, let’s take one day at a time and deal with what happens as it comes up.”
“It’s good advice.”
“It is.” Dori gives me a quick peck. “Now all we need to do is get married. I would prefer to be your wife if I get pregnant.”
My heart leaps out of my chest, and I cock a brow. “I can arrange that.”
“What are you saying?”
My pulse speeds up. I’m about to do something impulsive again, and it could backfire.
I stare deep into her eyes. “You told me the other day you don’t want a big wedding. Your birthday is Saturday. Why don’t we go to Vegas and elope?”
Her eyelids flutter, and she tenses. “That’s two days away.”
Shit.
This is probably too much for her to take for one day.
“We don’t have to. It was just an impulsive thought.”
Her gaze scrolls across my face as she takes a moment to answer. After a few beats that feel more like an hour, a smile spreads across her face.
“Jami, I think it’s a great idea.”
“Yeah?”
