“You are. You’re looking at me like you’re about to say something I won’t like.”
She knows me too well.
“If we were living together, I could help with this sort of stuff. I’m not an expert on pregnancies, but my sister had a rough one, and my brother-in-law did his best to help her anytime she needed something. I want to be there, Syd. Through it all, now and later. Just . . . think about looking at the house I bought. It’s got to be better than June’s apartment. Do you have your own room at least?”
“Yeah.”
“That didn’t sound convincing.”
“It’s a one-bedroom apartment. June insisted that I share her room with her. It’s not a big deal.”
“It is, though.”
She sighs but doesn’t argue.
“And like I said before, it’s big enough that even with a nursery, you could have your own room. I’ll give you the master bedroom, so you have your own bathroom and space. It’s two blocks from campus, too, and that coffee shop you like is just five minutes away.”
She drops her face into her hands.
“You’ve really put a lot of thought into this, didn’t you?”
“I want this to work, even if we aren’t together romantically. I want to give our baby a good, happy life, and I want that for you too.”
“What happens if we are living together, and we meet someone else? How do we explain our situation?”
“I guess we cross that bridge when we get to it.”
She shakes her head for a moment before donning a tight-lipped smile.
“All right, I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I ask. Do you want to get up?”
“Yes.”
I hold her hand to help her stand.
“I’ve got this.”
“I know, but you also have me.”
“So you keep saying.”
“Until it processes.”
That makes her laugh, and the sound relaxes me.
She didn’t say yes, but I think we made a little progress on our next move. I’m happy with that.
I open the door, and her father, mother, and brother look shocked as they all walk away quickly.
Eavesdropping. Of course.
“I’m fine to walk on my own.”
“I know, but at least let me help you back to the table, and then I’ll get you whatever you need or want.”
“I’m afraid that this house won’t have what I want most.”
