Chapter 3
Standing in the bathroom—with Knox, thank God—Laylee looked at the test results and her jaw dropped open. “A faint line, in the wrong place.” She looked up at Knox. “What does that even mean?”
“I don’t know.” He put one arm around her and drew her in close, then picked up the little paper pamphlet that had come with the test and concentrated on reading the details.
“A dark line with a faint line means you’re pregnant,” she said a little hysterically. “A single line means not pregnant. It says nothing about a barely there line on the wrong damn side of the test!”
“Shh.” Absently, he kissed her temple and continued reading.
Laylee was shocked into silence. Panicked silence, but still—Knox had just kissed her. It sucked that it was a platonic, sympathetic kiss. Still, she’d felt his lips, and that was what mattered.
Then he said, “Here.” He laid the paper flat and pointed with a finger. “The test failed.”
“Failed? Failed! Why would it do that?” She’d expended so much energy just taking the blasted thing, convincing herself that no matter, it’d be fine. She’d be fine. Everything was freaking fine. “Knox, I don’t have another test!”
He wrapped both arms around her and pressed her head to his chest. “We’ll get another test.”
“I want it over with.”
“I know. We need to walk the dogs, so let’s walk them a few blocks to that little pharmacy nearby.”
“You said you were hungry.”
Leaning back, he cupped her face and said, “I understand, Laylee. I really do.” His thumbs soothingly coasted over her cheekbones. “This is big, and I know it, but I’m promising you, we’ll get it figured out tonight.”
“You’re too blasted wonderful—you know that, right? People like you don’t exist.”
His slight smile made her feel better. “Look, the dogs are worried.”
She turned and there they were, crowded into the bathroom doorway, both of them wary.
Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away and went to her knees before them.
“You two, I’m fine.” She embraced Maybelline, aware that the dog’s fur was still slightly damp, which meant now she’d smell like wet dog, too.
Then she lifted Tank and kissed the top of his little round head.
At least he, with his shorter fur, was dry. “You guys want to take a walk?”
Worry shifted to excitement. Maybelline gave a giant woof and Tank turned three circles. Always, at the most frustrating times, the dogs could make her laugh. “A walk it is.”
Knox offered her a hand, which she accepted to stand. “You’re good with them,” he said. “Do you remember how you used to be afraid of Maybelline? Now she’s your gal pal.”
“I was such a coward. She’s just so big, it took a little time to get used to her, especially with the way she grumbles.”
“Sounds like low growling, I know, but it’s just her way of murmuring.”
Everything was easier with Knox. And she was being selfish. “You worked all day, and then you come home to me being a mess.” She got the leashes, and said, “If you want, we could eat at the park first. I know you’re hungry.”
“I think you’d rather get the test over with, right?
Waiting to eat another hour won’t kill me.
We’ll walk, buy the test—or maybe a couple of them this time, just in case—then I’ll order a pizza and it’ll be here by the time we come home.
You can do the test, we’ll learn the results, and then either way, we’ll eat. ”
He was assuming that no matter what, it’d all be fine and dandy. He had so much faith in her.
Ten minutes into their walk, she asked, “What if I’m pregnant and decide to have the baby?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, he said, “You’ll be an amazing mom. Skye will make a superior aunt, and Ford will love being an uncle.” He nudged her with his shoulder. “And I’ll still be here, unless you tell me to get lost.”
Get real. That’d never happen. She already relied on Knox far too much. “Like another uncle, huh?” Her problem was that she wanted more, and she didn’t see how a baby from another man would fit into that picture.
“No,” he said, “definitely not an uncle. I’d prefer—” Before he could say anything else, Maybelline lunged to the side to happily sniff something interesting, and Knox stumbled. He laughed. “Get your nose out of that, Maybelline. It looks like a horse came through here.”
“People are rude, not to pick up their dog’s messes.”
He shrugged. “I’ll assume someone forgot their disposal bags. Or it could be some poor stray dog.”
Tank investigated too, then lifted his leg and peed on it.
They both laughed and started walking again.
The day was still far too hot and humid for comfort, but now a breeze stirred the air and clouds blocked the grueling sun.
They passed plenty of kids playing in their yards, and then, farther up the street, a playground where some moms and dads sat on benches while their children used the swings and slides.
Other parents were busy helping their toddlers with various things, and out in a field some boys were kicking around a soccer ball.
Kids. They were pretty wonderful, right?
Not that she knew a lot about them—except that she once was one.
She knew they were loud; she could hear them now, shouting and laughing.
Messy, too; every kid she saw on the playground was sweaty, with dirty feet and probably dirtier hands.
As she saw one dad use a tissue on his son’s runny nose, she accepted that they got sick.
Another was making demands, a few needed nonstop attention. …
But there was also a girl laughing from atop her dad’s shoulders. Another hugging his mom and giving her a kiss on the cheek before taking off again. A toddler laughed as a mother gently pushed him on a baby swing.
Seemed to Laylee that parenting was both give and take, fun and seriousness, snotty noses but also tight hugs and happy giggles.
“Hey,” Knox said, nudging her again. “You okay?”
She nodded, saying with resolution, “I’m not going to borrow trouble, not until I know for sure.”
“Good plan.” He picked up a ball that came his way and sent it back to some preteen boys. “Test first, decisions after.” Then he surprised her by adding, “Thanks for letting me be part of this with you.”
Laylee scoffed. “There’s no way you can mean that.”
“I’m honored,” he insisted. “Seriously, Laylee, I keep telling you I’m here. Believe that it’s where I want to be, okay?”
She stared at him so intently, she almost tripped over a crack in the sidewalk. “How did I live twenty-five years and not know men like you exist?”
He answered with far more seriousness than she’d expected. “You hadn’t met me yet.”
The simple truth of his words turned her heart to mush and brought her voice down to an emotional whisper. “I’m very glad I know you now.”
He stepped closer, shifted the leash into his left hand, and laced his fingers with hers. “You’re an incredible woman, Laylee. An all-around impressive person. Smart, beautiful, sexy, adaptive, accommodating, and fun.”
Wow. “All that?” she teased, both flattered and a little embarrassed. The comments on her appearance she was used to. On her character, not so much.
“All that and more.” He squeezed her fingers. “Never let anyone tell you different.”
Speechless, she considered his words as they walked along, shoulder to shoulder, with the dogs happily trotting ahead of them at the ends of their leashes.
In this moment with Knox, the day no longer felt so hot.
Her burdens were lighter, and her situation didn’t seem as alarming.
Not because she could unload on him, but because of the way he saw her.
She was accommodating, especially with Skye.
Her sister was also her best friend, and she’d do anything for her.
Yes, she sometimes leaned on Skye, but the reverse was occasionally true as well.
She and Skye had grown up with their family always playfully comparing them, with her cast as the beautiful one and Skye the smart one.
She didn’t fault her parents; both she and her twin were well loved and cared for.
But sometimes parents didn’t realize how their words hurt.
The realization gave her plenty to think about for a few minutes. Of course, she also thought about Knox.
He was one of those family guys, loyal clear through to his soul, dedicated to his parents, siblings—and his friends.
And now she was one of them.
That meant something, was a testament to her and her character. Where she often felt selfish and flighty, Knox apparently saw only the best in her. That helped her to see the best in herself, too.
She was lost in thought until they reached the quaint little pharmacy. Laylee hesitated outside. In a low whisper, she said, “I’m glad I’ve never shopped here; otherwise they might know me.”
“Want me to go in instead?”
“You’d do that?”
“I have a sis, remember? I’ve bought tampons and wine at the same time when she was in need.”
Laughing, Laylee said, “You must be the best big brother ever.”
“On occasion. Other times, I totally screw up.” He shrugged as if that was to be expected. “So what do you say? Want to control the beasts while I grab the goods?”
“I say you’re awesome, but no.” She squared her shoulders and handed him Tank’s leash. “I can do this.”
“Hell yeah, you can.” He stepped into the shade of the entry’s overhang and squatted down to offer the dogs water from their travel water cups. “The gang and I will be right here waiting for you.”
She nodded, resisted thanking him again, and made herself go through the door. Chilly air-conditioning hit her, and as she pushed her sunglasses atop her head, her eyes needed a moment to adjust.