Chapter 36
HOLLY
TWO WEEKS LATER
“Whose bright idea was this?”
The words barely escape before another wave of nausea floors me. I kneel before the toilet. I’ve spent the better part of the past week mornings right here, face to porcelain.
Shelby never puked. Not once, through three pregnancies. My mother breezed through hers too. Meanwhile, I’m practically living on the bathroom floor.
This morning started fine. I even made it to work on time. But forty-five minutes in, here I am, hunched over, cursing my hormones.
Kenzie found me like this.
Now she’s crouched next to me, rubbing circles on my back, and presses a cool paper towel to my forehead.
“I think this was your idea,” she says.
“I regret everything.” I brace for another round, but it passes. “Okay. Okay. I think I’m good.”
“You should be home. I know you wanted to give me the rundown, but…”
Being in bed sounds like heaven. But between the business, the move, and being pregnant, I don’t feel like I can afford to slow down. Not yet.
“There’s too much to do. You know I always forget something.”
“Holly, even if you weren’t growing a human, this would be too much.”
I wave it off. “I’ve handled worse.”
“Not while growing a human.”
“Plenty of women work through pregnancy.”
“Plenty of women also know when to slow down… Oh, no, not again?”
I hold up a hand. “Nope. I think it’s passed.”
Kenzie helps me to my feet. I rinse my mouth out, grip the sink. My reflection looks like I got hit by a truck.
“Holly,” she says gently, “you’re pushing too hard. What does Dexter think about all this?”
“He suggested flying Shelby and the kids over here.”
She pauses. “He did?”
“Yeah. And I appreciate the sentiment, but that’s not what either of us wants. Shelby already sent the paperwork, and I signed it. The deposit is paid. And I’m not backing out.”
Kenzie nods. “Still, it’s kind of sweet. In a ‘control freak’ sort of way.”
“He means well. But asking Shelby to uproot her life just so I can stay? That’s not right.”
Even as I say it, the image of Dexter’s eyes, those quiet, stormy eyes, cuts through me. He looked so serious when he said it. He doesn’t bend easy, doesn’t make space in his life lightly. But I know he’d move mountains if I asked him to.
It rattled me more than I care to admit.
I wanted to say yes. God, part of me still does.
But I know what happens when you let someone that far in. That’s the road that ends with me in pieces, and I already crawled out of that wreck once. No. I can’t do it again.
I glance in the mirror again. “Aren’t pregnant women supposed to glow? I look like death warmed over.”
Kenzie chuckles. “Maybe the glow comes later.”
“Lies. The mom blogs lied. I’m suing.”
I splash water on my face, towel off, and shuffle out. Kenzie follows.
“Why don’t you lie down,” she says, motioning to my office couch. “Half an hour won’t kill you. I’ve gotta head out anyway, but I’m only a phone call away.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” I collapse onto the cushions. “Thank you. Really.”
Ring. Ring.
I pick up my cell just as Kenzie leaves.
“Hey, Shelby. What’s up?”
“Sorry, I know I shouldn’t really bother you at work, but I have news. Not great news.”
My stomach tenses. “How bad?”
“I went to the landlord’s office, and apparently someone’s bought the building.”
“Wait, what? I thought we had a deal.”
“We did. But some buyer’s come in with a clean offer, all cash. And because I’d already put down the deposit, they’re offering it back. Double.”
“What the hell?” I’m mad.
“Yeah. Some shark bought it, by the sound of it. Unbearable sort. Massive ego. Tiny dick, I imagine. The landlord hinted that a few other buildings, similar size, same use, have changed hands recently as well.”
“That’s insane. So... what now? Start from scratch?!” My voice thins with fury, sadness, frustration, all at once.
“Well. Not necessarily…” There’s a pause.
I know that pause. “Shelby?”
“I’m still a bit stunned, to be honest. But now that I’m on my own, I’m not tied here anymore. I could manage a move if I had to.”
“Move... where?”
“To you. Back to the States.”
I drop into my chair, stunned. “You’re fucking kidding.”
“I’m not saying it’s definite,” she adds quickly.
“And it’s not what I’d planned. But with the deposit coming back, doubled, it’s something I could at least think about.
I’d have to see what the children make of it first. I could stick the house on the market and sort the rest after. It feels possible.”
“What about our plan? The dream board, remember?”
“Doesn’t mean we scrap the dream, just... rejig it a bit.”
“Wow, Shelby. I did not see this coming.”
“Nope, I didn’t either. But if the location’s gone, maybe it’s a sign.”
My chest tightens (in the good way), and I have to catch my breath. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything now. Just… sit with it. We’ll talk tomorrow, yeah? I’ve got a whole load of logistics to think through on my end as well.”
“Okay!” I say, full of hope. “Let’s talk tomorrow.”
“Anyway, whatever happens, we’ll make it work. Love you!”
“Love you too!”
Gaaaah. I hang up and let the phone dangle from my limp hand as I process Shelby’s news. Five minutes ago, I had everything figured out. Now, the world has turned upside down in an instant. And against all odds, that might not be a bad thing.