Page 35 of Afterglow

I begin to lift my hand from her abdomen, not wanting to take more than she’s willing to give, but she plants her own over it and holds it there.

She blinks but doesn’t break eye contact. “You really want this, don’t you? The baby…”

She has no idea.

“Yeah, Leanne, I really do,” I say, trying to infuse just how much into each word. What I don’t say is that I really want her too.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Bryce

Eleven Weeks ~ Baby is the size of a ping-pong ball

Me

How big is the baby today?

This question is nothing but an excuse to text Leanne. I’ve already checked the app on my phone for the answer now that she’s eleven weeks along. But she doesn’t need to know that.

Leanne

The size of a ping-pong ball apparently… but is that really any bigger than the cotton ball it was last week?

Me

Let’s find out.

I’m in one of the lodges doing inventory of the kitchen, so I head straight for the game room on the opposite side of the wall. There’s a ping-pong table that hardly gets any use but may have finally found its purpose. I grab one of the balls off the table, tossing it up and catching it as I stalk toward the bathrooms. I have a stash of random toiletries in one of the cupboards for when guests forget items, and cotton balls happen to be one of the many things I keep stocked.

I pull out a white ball of fluff, place it beside the ping-pong ball on the dark granite counter, and snap a picture to send Leanne.

Me

There’s definitely a difference.

Leanne

I guess so. Did you really have both of those lying around? That took you less than five minutes.

Me

I’m very resourceful ; )

The biting banter we had early on in our acquaintance has evolved into something more lighthearted over the past few weeks.

Leanne

Busy with work this weekend?

Am I crazy, or is she fishing for my weekend plans? I grin, hoping she is, even though I am busy this weekend.

Me

Unfortunately.

Dinner plans tonight and walk-throughs with clients over the next few days. You?

Leanne