Page 132 of How Good It Was (Excess All Areas 3)

“For real.”

Luke swallowed hard. “I think Andrew should be his second name.”

“Whatever you want. I’d be happy with either.”

He kissed her softly. “I know you would. But I think Cletus should have a strong first name of his own.”

“What about Zale? It means strength of the sea.”

“Has a good ring to it. Zale Andrew Bryson. I like it.”

“Did we just name our baby in a three-minute conversation?”

“I think we did. They should put us in charge of world peace. We’d have it resolved by lunch time.”

Willow winced as Zale moved and landed on her bladder. “I need to go pee. I would do anything for there to be a cup of coffee waiting for me when I’m done.”

Luke pulled the covers back and jumped out of bed. “Your wish is my command.” He offered her his hand and helped her up.

“I can’t imagine how much bigger this bump is going to get. I’m going to have to order some bigger maternity clothes. Well, not maternity clothes, because so many of them are grim, but stretchy stuff I can move in. And my—”

“It will get as big as it needs to get. And I’ll love you with it. And without it. And whatever it all looks like once Zale is in our arms instead of in there.”

“You say the sweetest things.”

“Only to you.”

Five minutes later, she entered the living area and Luke had not only made her coffee but lit her favourite candle. It was quiet. Cosy. Domestic.

She took a sip. “I know you have this intense band life, now, and the tour, and everything. But I think I like us best like this. Quiet mornings. Coffee. Normal life.”

“I still can’t believe I’m about to say this. But me too. Although. It doesn’t have to be here. Hotels in London and Mallorca when it’s just the two of us are pretty awesome.”

“I agree. Although, I’m scared to step outside right now.”

Luke wandered over to the apartment window. “There are only a couple of paparazzi lingering outside. We’re going to be old news before you know it.”

Willow’s stomach flipped as she looked at her phone and laptop, charging on the kitchen counter. Luke had mandated that their bedroom be a gadget free space because he was worried about the number of times she would reach for her phone in the night. He was right, blue light was keeping her awake.

“For the first time in a long time, I don’t want to look.”

Luke threw some oatmeal into the pan. It had become her favourite breakfast recently, as long as it was topped with Greek yoghurt and blueberries and walnuts. “So, don’t. What happens if you don’t look?”

“Poor crisis management. We put out that joint statement, so there is bound to be a response.”

He pulled her oatmeal toppings out of the fridge and put them in front of her. “Are you going to be able to relax if you don’t look?”

“Probably not.”

“Then, look.”

She reached for her phone, and the volume of email notifications alone overwhelmed her. Without thinking, she rubbed her stomach for comfort.

Dear Willow,

We commend your bravery in telling the truth about why you did what you did. We are a charity that works with pregnant teens, attempting to provide them with the support they need to stay in school. I know you are much older than the girls, but we feel you would have empathy with them about the choices that are sometimes made when you feel like you are out of options,

And there was another.

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