Page 58 of All I Desire

She nods into my neck and mumbles something I can’t understand. Oh, she’s crying. Not talking. Crap. I rub her back.

“I can’t wait to be an aunt to your little one. I’ve been training for this role my whole life.” I laugh, suddenly ecstatic. And she does, too, through her tears.

“I’m three months. I didn’t want to tell anyone yet. Well, I’ve told Lauren. And you. And Damien, of course.”

I pull away from her, wiping the unexpected tears from my eyes. “And what did he say? Why is he even considering this stupid idea of staying in Syria longer, when you’re pregnant?”

Inside, I’m preparing all of the things I’m going to say to my brother, and my anger’s mixing with the joy. What is he thinking?

“He wants us to have enough money to both stay home with the baby for several months. He figures he’ll work for some extra months and be home by the time I give birth. And there’s the health insurance piece. I get his reasoning. It’s a responsible choice. But…”

“But it’s an asinine idea.” I clench my back teeth.

She shrugs. “We had a blowout today. That’s why I couldn’t deal with Chunky on top of everything.”

I rub her bare shoulder. She’s in a tank top. “How are you feeling?”

“Meh. Okay. A little morning sickness. Nothing bad. Mom hasn’t noticed yet.” Kate lives with her mother, at least she will until Damien comes home.

“Don’t you worry. I’ll take the Chunkster home. Do you need help here at the bar?”

She waves me off. “Nah. Jane’s around here somewhere. I told her, too. But you’re both sworn to secrecy.”

“Okay. Let me know if you need anything. And I mean anything, okay? Where’s the pupper?”

“In the office. I really gotta get back to the bar. Here.” She walks down the hall and fishes around her jean shorts pockets to extract a key. She opens the door slowly. “Hey, Chunky, guess who’s here?”

Turning to me, she musters a smile. “Okay, talk later. Don’t say anything to anyone yet, okay? His leash is on the desk.”

“You’ve got my word. I’ll lock and shut this door, kay?”

We give quick hugs.

“Hey, see you tomorrow at Mermosa. I’m doing the mermaid face painting for the kids,” she calls out as she walks away.

“Good deal,” I holler back.

“Hey, dude,” I say to the dog, and clip his leash onto his collar. We stroll out and I wave to Kate.

In my car, Chunky nestles into the back seat and immediately falls asleep. That dog loves the car. Just as I’m starting the engine, my phone pings with a text. I assume it’s from Kate, but it’s not.

Hey cutie, what are you doing?

Matthew. Awareness electrifies my entire body.

Hey! Had to pick up my brother’s dog from the tiki bar.

Oh? Is everything okay?

Other than the fact that I’m going to kill my brother, yes. It’s all good. I’m going to be an aunt!Oh crap. I’ve already screwed that secret up. Well, Matthew won’t tell anyone.

Uh…not sure what to say to that. Congratulations!

Yeah, I’ll explain later. I’m leaving the tiki bar.

You okay to drive?

I haven’t been drinking. Chunky is Tate’s dog, but we all care for him. I’ll explain that later, too.

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