I chuckled, “You don’t even know what I was going to ask,” I said.
She narrowed her eyes at me, “You’re going to ask if we offer paternity leave, and the answer for you is no.”
I grinned, “Aw, don’t be like that.”
She clucked her tongue, “I’m going to be like that because you make my job a hell of a lot easier. So, the answer is no.”
I chuckled, “Okay.”
Then I pulled my phone out and hit Harlee’s number and placed the phone on speaker.
As the ringing filled the room, Maribell lifted a brow. “Who are you calling?”
I grinned, “My wife.”
She gasped at the same time I heard Harlee say, “Hey, handsome.”
“You didn’t,” Maribell asked, indignantly.
I grinned, “I sure as hell did.”
Maribell sighed, “Ugh. Fine. And I’m only doing this because she gives me a family and friends discount.” Then she said, “Hey, Harlee, I’ll take care of it.”
Harlee’s tinkling laughter came through the speaker, as I said, “Thanks, Darling. Love you.”
She was still laughing, I knew she was either rolling her eyes or shaking her head, “I can’t even with you sometimes. Oh, before I forget. Baby and I are craving eclairs and mint chocolate chip ice cream. And yes, I love you too.” And with that, she hung up.
I grimaced at the thought of ever pairing those two together.
Maribell shook her head, “I don’t miss those weird cravings. One time I wanted filet flounder and dipped it into vanilla ice cream. It was so good, but what wasn’t good was my husband running to the bathroom to puke at the sight.”
I chuckled, then shook my head, “Thanks, Maribell.”
She winked, “You got it. Now, get going, get your woman what she asked for.”
I nodded and headed out of her office, but not before she called out, “Carter?”
I stopped and turned and looked over my shoulder, “Yeah?”
“I can say I know a lot of bad men. Can’t say I know a lot of good men. I’m honored to know you.”
I chuckled, “Same.”
And with that, I headed out to my truck, and the store, and got my woman and my baby what they wanted.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to go puke after watching her eat that.
But I may have thrown up in my mouth when she took a hotdog bun, slathered on peanut butter, mayo, and pickles... yeah, be right back.
Her sounds of moaning... it wasn’t the good kind I was used to.
***
I realized something right then and there.
The first time I had slept in Harlee’s bed, wrapped around her, I had thought that nothing could be better than this.
And the next morning, when I woke up, I knew that only a few things would make it better.
