Chapter 17 #3
‘Guess I haven’t been very subtle with my cravings,’ I say, grinning as we approach the display case. ‘This baby’s going to come out with the worst sweet tooth.’
Zaid chuckles and finally releases my hand. ‘Go taste them all.’
‘Don’t tell me that, or we’ll be here all night.’
He moves to the small table in front of the plateglass window and takes a seat, settling in, crossing an ankle over his knee. ‘Fine with me.’
I playfully roll my eyes, though I glance around to make sure I’m not holding up anyone else in line, but the place is empty save for us and the employee now behind the counter. ‘I’m surprised they’re not busier. I thought there would be huge crowds everywhere after the race.’
‘They’d be heaving if I hadn’t bought the place out for tonight.’
My head snaps in his direction. ‘You didn’t.’
‘I wanted you to have whatever you liked,’ he says, like it’s really that simple. ‘And I didn’t want you to feel rushed. Or harassed.’
At the last bit, he glances at a group of girls snapping photos from outside. They rush off in a fit of giggles upon being spotted.
It’s so thoughtful that I could kiss him in thanks, though I think that might be frowned upon considering, number one, we’re very much still in public, if the people walking by and staring at us through the window count for anything.
And two, we definitely need to have a new conversation about where things stand between us.
Despite all that, I’m not deterred from rushing over and hugging him, savoring the way his hand lands on my lower back to keep me to him for a second.
‘Thank you,’ I murmur. ‘But you better hope I don’t have gestational diabetes.’
That drags the kind of laugh out of him that I’ll never get sick of hearing. ‘In that case, maybe I should let you try one and then get you home.’
‘Absolutely not.’ I pull back after dropping a quick kiss on his cheek, as bold as I’m willing to be. ‘But I’ll start with my favorite, just in case you make good on that threat.’
‘What is your favorite flavor?’ he asks as I approach the counter, pointing out the one I want to the employee, who immediately starts scooping.
‘All of them,’ I answer honestly. ‘If my options are just the classics, probably pistachio or hazelnut. But of all time? It’s sour cherry.’
Thankfully, they have it here, and I’m handed a heaping cup a moment later, a tiny mint-green spoon peeking out of the mountain.
‘I never would have guessed that,’ Zaid says as I join him at the table. ‘You seem more like a bubblegum kind of girl.’
‘My mom made a lot of sour cherry dishes when I was a kid,’ I explain. ‘I’ve always loved albaloo, partially because it reminds me of her.’ Tonight, grief is a quick squeeze around my heart before it dissipates with the sharp tang of cherries. ‘Want a taste?’
I scoop more onto my spoon and offer it to Zaid, expecting him to take it from me. Instead, he leans forward and lets me feed him, licking away the bit that ends up on his bottom lip. I have to bite my own lip to keep from letting out an incriminating giggle because goddamn, what a sight.
‘I like it,’ he says, leaning back in his seat again, perfectly relaxed while I’m coiled tight with a longing I wasn’t expecting. ‘I’ll keep it stocked for you wherever we go.’
I’m probably reading into it too much, but the way he meets and holds my gaze as he says it has me even more flustered.
‘So,’ I blurt, eager to change the subject, preferably back to the reason why we’re both sitting together in this gelateria in the first place.
‘I’m heading back to Virginia tomorrow to rest and repack, and then I’ll join you up in Montreal next week for the grand prix.
I have to go home again after that since I have a doctor’s appointment, but I’d like to join you for the rest of the European races, if that’s okay. ’
Zaid nods, accepting my plan. ‘I have to go back to the factory after Canada, but I’ll meet you at your house the Sunday after. We’ll go to your appointment and then head to Spain together.’
I nearly say Okay, sounds good before the full extent of his plan hits me. ‘Wait, you’re coming with me?’
‘I’m not missing an appointment, Ava,’ he says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. ‘Definitely not your twenty-week scan at that.’
‘How did you—’ I cut short, remembering the baby books that seem to be populating at an alarming rate around his apartment. I should have known better than to think he wouldn’t come, even if it means a dramatic schedule shift, and I have to admit, I’m glad I won’t have to go alone.
Exciting as the first appointment was, and as much as I had prepared to experience a pregnancy on my own, actually being in there by myself was .
. . overwhelming. Lonely, even. Sure, I could have had someone come with me, and looking back, I probably should have, but knowing Zaid will be beside me this time is a comfort.
Again, I’m struck with the urge to kiss him senseless in the most aggressive form of gratitude. But even with all the hormones screaming at me to do it, I still have some semblance of self-control.
So I swallow hard and say, ‘I can’t wait.’