“It’s okay,” she shook her head.
“No, it’s not. I was caught up, and I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to call, but I should have made you a priority.”
“Hey. You’re here for the peanut.”
“And you. Maybe we’re not a couple, but we’re partners in this.”
She nodded and sniffled and used the dry part of the gooey towel to wipe her face.
“Evan was telling me how you guys would have family football scrimmages, and how you and your mom loved to be the defensive tackles rather than go for the offensive glory.”
She chuckled, “Even decked out in pink florals, my mom could sack a quarterback like nobody’s business. Pops could attest to that better than anyone.”
Ryder splayed his hand over her tiny swollen belly and smiled. “This little one is going to be whatever she wants to be. Doilies or dirt stains. Or both.”
“No wonder you’re so good at your job,” she said, laughing and confused and she dropped her hands to her sides and checked that her phone was in the long pocket of her leggings and wallet in the other.
They walked down the narrow hallway, wound past a few offices, and out the back exit. The late summer sun instantly baked into her skin and warmed what pieces of her were still chilled from the ultrasound room.
She glanced back to see Ryder wasn’t smiling anymore. “Are you okay?”
He quickly nodded. “Terrified, of course,” he said quickly, and laughed it off. His phone buzzed in his pocket.
“I don’t mind.” Not knowing how long the call would be, she waited on the sidewalk with him and quietly listened.
Clearly one of his team calling, as he quickly adopted a casual but upbeat tone.
“What was that? Sorry, it’s windy.”
Zoe stood close enough to overhear the highlights. The other party droned on and on about the client’s pickiness over colors and centering their logo.
Ryder puffed out his cheeks and smiled painfully at Zoe. He held up his index finger to let her know it would be just a minute. “It’s about balance not symmetry, about contrasts as much as complementing themes. If they don’t like the design, I’ll call personally and walk them through why our entire vision is modern and inspiring, not the sappy informercial they envisioned. Which is why they hired us. Even the damn logo is critical, and let them know I picked you as our graphic designer because you’re the best, and I trust you completely.”
Wow, she was glad she didn’t have work conversations like this. Not that she didn’t butt heads with Evan now and again over cheeses, but that was more fun than anything, then they would have a taste-test and see who was right.
While she waited, she pulled out the string of ultrasound images. It was starting to look like a little person. A little upturned nose like Ryder. Were those eyes going to be brilliant blue like his, or chocolatey like hers?
And definitely some labia there. She snapped a pic of the pic, plus a cuter one of the face, and fired it off to Pops, Evan, Finn, and Haley.
“Look, I’ve got to go, but can you work on some of the graphics?... Great. Send me the specs and I’ll look it over tonight… Later.”
Clicking off the call, he exhaled and shook his head and widened his eyes as he grinned at Zoe. “Fuck, I hate that. New guy, gets hung up on the tiniest details. Which, actually, I like about him, but I’m trying to encourage him to mockup a few ideas, then go over them with me when I’m actually in the office.”
“Poor sucker, going to burn himself out like that.”
“Technically, it’s only five o’clock in Phoenix, but he’s been there since six, so… yeah.”
“Sounds like someone I know,” she said, nodding gravely.
Ryder laughed again and shook his head. “Leading by example isn’t going well.”
“Hey, want to grab dinner?” she asked, and handed him the stack of photos.
“Don’t you want them?”
“I have a bunch more in my pocket. These are yours.”
“Thanks,” he said, and adjusted them to slide into his pocket next to his phone. “Dinner sounds great. Where do you want to go?”
