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I swore to him I was on birth control. I swore he could trust my IUD.
“All right. I’ll stay here then.”
I picked up my bag and shoved my phone inside. I walked toward Cole, barely able to look at him. I planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
“I’ll text you when I have her.”
“Ok. Be careful.”
I closed the door and ran to my car. My boobs hurt just running across the parking lot. I didn’t need a test. I knew it with every breath I took.
I was carrying Cole’s baby.
I paced in front of baggage claim. Mary Ellen’s plane landed five minutes ago and I was about to crawl out of my skin. A month was a long time to be away from my best friend.
She broke through the travelers in front of her and ran toward me.
“I’m here!”
I hugged her harder than I had anyone in my life. “How was your flight?”
“Too long.” She frowned. “You are just too far away. I’m ready for you to move back home.”
“I know. But that’s not happening.” I pointed her toward the luggage carousel and away from her last statement. “But no problems?”
She shook her head. “Not one.”
I was glad her first trip to Texas was different from my experience. Everything that could happen to me seemed to in less than twelve hours.
“Where’s Cole?” She looked around the pickup area.
“Oh, he’s working. Since he took off a week after the accident, he can’t really get away.” I chewed on my bottom lip. “He said to tell you he’ll see you tonight for margaritas.”
“Margaritas? My favorite.” Mary Ellen wedged herself between two men and retrieved her flowered bag from the rotating luggage carrier. “This is it. I only brought one bag.”
I smiled. “All right, let’s get your vacation started.” I led her into the bright Texas sun and to my car.
I turned the key for room twenty-four. It seemed like the perfect place for Mary Ellen to stay. It was only steps from our beach deck and it faced the water. We still hadn’t gone furniture shopping. There wasn’t a pullout couch. I couldn’t very well roll out a sleeping bag for her on the floor.
“Wow, this is cute.” Mary Ellen gushed over the room. “I love the pink tile.”
I giggled. “Finally, someone else who appreciates retro-chic.” I pulled a luggage rack from the closet for her.
“Are you kidding? This is adorable.” She fluffed a pillow then hopped on the bed. “And the bed is cushy too.”
I tried not to blush. I used to share that bed with Cole.
“I’ll let you get settled, and then we can walk over to Peabody’s for drinks and dinner. Cole said he’d be home by five. That gives you an hour. Is that ok?”
She walked across the room and unzipped her bag. “Yep. I’ll be ready.” She held up a cutoff top. “Do cowboys like these kinds of shirts?”
I laughed. “The cowboys aren’t going to know what to do with you. See you in an hour.” I hugged her again before heading home.
It felt good to have Mary Ellen next door. She was a piece of home, a piece of my life that I was trying desperately not to miss. Texas was supposed to be my home now.
I changed into a pair of fitted jeans and the boots Cole bought for me. I hadn’t worn them nearly enough. It was warm, so I opted for a black tank top. I shook my hair down around my shoulders. I thought I looked like any other Texas girl. Only, right now, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
Cole hobbled through the door, banding his crutches on the frame. “You look hot.”
