“Because of the baby.”
“Why?”
She slid her hands over her belly, something she’d been doing frequently. A protective thing, I assumed. “If I don’t disclose the pregnancy, it’ll feel like I’m hiding something. I’ll be taking a few months off when the baby arrives, and bosses don’t always take too kindly to learning that information, no matter how early they find out.”
“What do you think about this guy? Mike?”
She nodded. “Mike has always been a bit of a shark. He won’t let a story go when there’s something to share. But he’s fair. He was the first one to tell me he’d walk out when Gretchen wanted me to make up things about Omar and Natalie.”
“Do you think that means he’ll be on your side?”
“I don’t know. But I think the sooner I talk to him, the better.”
“Call him now. Put your mind at ease.”
She hesitated for a second, then returned the man’s call.
I listened from the kitchen, watching her on the couch as she spoke to the man who might be her boss.
She told him about the pregnancy, and when she thought she was due. She listened, and by the time she spoke again, she was smiling.
“Thanks, Mike. I really appreciate it. I’ll see you next week.”
“Well?”
“He wants me no matter how many kids I have. He said my integrity and talent are worthwhile, and people have babies all the time. It shouldn’t be a reason not to hire someone.”
“Good. I told you it would be okay.”
She stepped into my arms and tilted her chin back for a kiss.
I obliged, lingering against her lips.
“Thank you for supporting me.”
“I always will.”
“I didn’t know love could be like this.”
“Neither did I, but I guess when it’s right, it’s different.”
“It’s definitely right.”
“Yes. Yes, it is. I love you, Landon.”
“I love you, Casey.”
24
I woke to the sound of laughter. It was muffled, followed by a shushing sound. I smiled into my pillow, wondering what my girls were up to.
Casey and I were still searching for a house for our soon-to-be family of four, but until we found one, I was mostly living with her and Mikayla. We took things a little slowly for Mikayla’s sake, but she and I bonded quickly. Casey and I attended all the showings of the musical, and we spent Thanksgiving together. I loved the kid like she was my own, while doing everything I could to respect that she had a father.
But damn, I loved her. I didn’t know my heart could be so damn full. Every time I looked at the two of them, I felt like the Grinch and my heart grew three sizes. Love was a crazy thing. It was pretty damn awesome.
The laughter got louder, and I knew my girls were plotting something. I pretended to be asleep until I heard them right next to the bed. I cracked one eye open just enough to see what was going on without letting them know I was awake.
Casey held a tray, and Mikayla crept toward me, hands empty.
