She pouts her ass off as I help her out of her chair and guide her toward the door. When we exit the restaurant, there's a perfect, round moon in the sky. Penny suggests a stroll down the promenade, to walk off that huge meal she gobbled down.
She grips tight to my arm as we meander along the waterfront. She shares her excitement with me, her dreams of the life she wants to give our baby—her baby—and it's killing me slowly that no part of those dreams includes me.
When she shivers, I drape my jacket around her shoulders. When she yawns, I turn her back in the direction of my truck.
The ride is quiet. Penny curls up in her seat, her head lolling and it's clear that she's worn herself out. Within minutes, we're standing at Penny's door. She breathes a sigh as she pulls her key from the lock. Just inside the door, she kicks off her high heels and snickers with relief.
I look down into her beautiful face. I tuck back a strand of her windblown hair. I'm in complete awe of the woman. A stupid, hopeful part of me is wishing she'll invite me inside but I know...she doesn't need me 'that way' anymore. We're back to being just friends.
Fuck...so what now? She's pregnant and I'm just supposed to stop? Stop needing her? Stop craving her? Stop loving her? Just go back to being friends? Fuuucckkk.
She stands on her tiptoes and kisses me on the cheek. "Thank you, Walker," she whispers as her arms come around my back for a tight hug. "Thank you for dinner. And thank you for giving me the thing I've always dreamed of." She looks up into my eyes. "I'm going to have the family I've always wanted, and that's because of you."
I’m sure she has the best of intentions as she utters the words but I feel a stab in my gut. This moment feels like the end of something significant. But I don’t want it to be over.
I’ve always wanted a family, too. A safe place where I don't feel like an outsider. I guess that, deep down, I was wishing I could carve myself a space in hers. But I'm not a part of the grand vision Penny has for her life.
A nod is all I can muster as I back away toward the staircase. My friend gives me one last, little smile. With a hand low on her belly, she softly closes the door, shutting me on the outside.
30
Penny
The elevator dings open and through the hospital room's open blinds, I see Walker emerge from the lift. His thick brows are furrowed over darkened eyes and now he's prowling down the hospital's short hallway.
Fuck, that walk of his.
I grip the bed railing and brace myself.
It’s the morning after our dinner at Le Sous-Sol. Sleep didn’t come easily last night. When Walker dropped me off on my doorstep, it took everything in me not to nuzzle against his chest and pull him into my room and tangle my body around his like a baby kinkajou. I think my brain is under invasion by horny-making pregnancy hormones because all I wanted was to get my hands on the man and do dirty, dirty things to his body.
But I realize a little distance would be good for us. Now that I’m finally pregnant, I know it’s best to give my friend some space so that he can fall back into the rhythm of his old life and I can discover a new rhythm for this baby and me.
I decided that I’d show up to continue my project at his cabin but after work I wouldn’t linger. I’d spend my nights reading pregnancy books and listening to podcasts for single mothers instead of showing up at his house needy for attention. I’d put my focus on me and my child. I’d submerge myself in this new life that I’m building, and eventually, my feelings for Walker would fade away.
Less than 24 hours later, fate has pissed all over my plans.
Now he’s barreling down the hallway like a steamroller. I have nowhere to run and from the hammering of my heart, it’s abundantly clear that I’m not equipped to deal with seeing Walker so soon.
A moment later, he bursts into the room.
"There he is!" Cannon glances up and greets his brother with a grin.
A beaming Alexia snuggles their tiny, gurgling bundle of pink to her chest. "It's Uncle Walker," she mumbles into the newborn's ear. "Say hi to Uncle Walker."
My friend went into labor in the middle of the night. She and Cannon didn't start making calls until Baby Diana had made her grand entrance into the world.
Now, family and friends are beginning to trickle in to make their introductions to the Kingston family's latest bundle of joy. The proud grandma and grandpa are snuggled in each other's arms as they hover over the bed, cooing sweet words about the baby.
Iris and Jude just rushed in after finishing up some football business in Iowa this morning.
Lexi’s parents are on the road as we speak.
Jessa will come by with Callie after breakfast.
And Walker? He’s here.
The man doesn’t acknowledge anyone in the room. His eyes are transfixed to his newborn niece. He’s carrying a big basket of fresh fruit. He sets it down on a table. He accepts a squirt of hand sanitizer from his excited brother and thoroughly rubs his big palms together.
He takes a tentative step closer to the bed and I shift in my seat, causing my plastic chair to let out a groan. Walker halts. When his eyes land on me, a mini-eternity passes between us. He takes a moment to give me a smile.
And, oh damn. I feel that little smile like a bolt to the chest.
"Hi..." I mouth across the room to him.
"Hi..." he mouths back.
That one word from him makes my belly flip.
Alexia places Baby
