“Over the phone is good.” I say breathlessly.
“Okay. I’ll count to three. One. Two. Three?—”
The nurse’s words wash over me as she reads the results, and my body seems to float with all the possibilities this little life inside of me could become. I start my car and whip out of the parking lot, abandoning all thoughts of lunch. Before I realize where I’m headed, I’m already halfway to the EdTechU offices. As soon as the phone line went dead, my first instinct was to share the happy news with Trevor—in person. When I pull into the multi-building campus, a niggle of doubt pesters me. I have a habit of showing up at his workplace with life-changing news, and he’s still in his provisional period.Maybe I should wait until he gets home… My phone buzzes in the cupholder.
Trevor
Hey, Gem. About to head into a meeting. How’s your first day back?
Me
Good. I’m actually outside right now. Can I come up?
Trevor
Yep I’m just suffering through a conference call. Stop by the front desk for a guest pass. I’m on the third floor. Directly to your right when you leave the elevator.
With a hand on my belly, I sway my hips while I wait for the receptionist, hoping it will ease the dull ache in my groin from walking across the parking lot. My nerves are buzzing as I secure my guest pass sticker to my shirt in the elevator.Will Trevor be as excited about this as I am?Should I have waited? The doors slide open, and my steps propel me forward before my mind is made up. Ready or not, he needs to know.
A dozen offices surrounded by glass walls are the first thing Isee when the elevator opens. I turn down a long corridor as instructed, and I’m about to slide my phone from my crossbody purse when Trevor slips out of the double wooden doors in front of me. He smiles like he didn’t just see me at home a few hours ago, and I feel silly for second-guessing this decision. Of course he wants to know about this. He’s been all in since the beginning.
He pulls me into a hug when he reaches me. “This is a nice surprise. What’s up?”
I look at him for a beat, taking in the dimples in his cheeks and the lovable look in his eyes while his smile threatens to burn me up. “The doctor’s office called.”
His face falls. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
“…And the baby?”
“She’s good too.”
He blinks at me, exactly three times. “She? It’s a—we’re having a girl?” The question barely makes it out of his mouth before he’s twirling me around.How did I get this lucky?Having this man as the father of my daughter is the best mistake I’ve ever made. The excitement radiating from him is palpable. When he sets me down and kisses me, I thank all the stars in the universe for conspiring against me to bring us together. “I’m so fucking happy, Gem.”
“Me too.” He wipes the tears sliding down my face and gives me another quick kiss.
“Hey…” We turn, and a tall, curvy woman flips her curly hair behind her shoulder as she steps around the door. Her eyes sweep over our emotional embrace, and she squares her shoulders. “Trevy, you’re up.”
Trevy? I stifle a laugh.
Trevor nods and tucks me under his arm. “This is Marla,” he says to me. “Marla, this is Willa.”
Marla gives me a professional smile. “It’s nice to meet you.” She looks back to Trevor. “You ready?”
Trevor turns back to me and nuzzles my nose. “I have to go,but I’ll see you when you get home from the studio tonight.” He gives me another peck, squeezes my hand, and follows Marla back into the conference room.
I underestimatedmy ability to last through a full day at work. The guest photographer I hired while on bed rest did an amazing job and was very thorough, but I still have so much administrative paperwork to sort through. Three weeks away from my business left me with a stack of bills and a reorganized studio.
“You look exhausted, Boss Lady.” Emily settles into her favorite spot by my desk, tugging at her sleeves.
“Yeah.” I yawn. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
Nodding, she turns back toward her desk.
“Hey, Emily?”
“What do you need? Food? A footrest? I can get any?—”
