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Luke, it seemed, also had his morning routines, and checking in with Mary — who was now in her final week of pregnancy — was tops on his schedule.
“What did the doc say yesterday?”
A pause.
“Two centimeters? Shouldn’t they have admitted you?”
Another pause.
“Well, I beg to differ. Something’s fucking happening. Maybe we should skip the beach this morning. Andy and I can come hang with you.”
Luke blew out an exasperated sigh. One that had Andy certain his sister had just vetoed his suggestion.
Which was probably a good thing. At least in Andy’s case. As she pushed up from the bed, her stomach cramped. Biting back a whimper, she scrambled from her bedroom, not caring she wore only panties and a tank top, and Kory’s boyfriend was just down the hall. Nope, she needed the bathroom. Now. Her gut said it was time.
Five largely unproductive minutes later, Andy swore as she washed her hands. “Stupid, fickle gut.”
After brushing her teeth and splashing some warm water on her face, Andy slipped back into her bedroom. There she found Luke already dressed. “Morning,” he said, drawing her to him. “Feeling any better?”
“A little.” Being wrapped up in Luke’s arms did help. At least temporarily. She sighed against his chest. “As much as I’d like to hit the waves with you, though, I should probably sit this session out.”
“No problem.” He rubbed little circles over her lower back. “If the cramps aren’t too bad, maybe you can just hang out on the beach with those binoculars of yours.”
“They’re Nikon Prostaffs, and they deliver 8X magnification.”
“Sexy,” Luke drawled, nuzzling the side of her hair.
“Have I ever told you you’re completely nonsensical?”
“I’ll add that one to the list.” Pulling away, he winked. “So you gonna make my day or what?”
“I guess I could swing by a little later.”
Luke shot her a mischievous grin as he pocketed his belongings. “Make sure to wear the windbreaker. Cinch it up nice and creeper-like for me.”
She pointed to the door. “Just go.”
He did, but not before hauling her in for a kiss that left her body feeling all fluttery and clenchy. Which was a pretty amazing feat considering her tummy problems.
Several minutes later — after a small bowl of cereal and some playtime with Petals — Andy secured her bird in the nook.
As she donned her jacket, Andy glanced at the couple quietly sipping their coffees in the kitchen. Gray had to drive back to Sacramento that afternoon, and Kory didn’t look too happy about it.
Andy suspected as soon as the woman graduated next summer, she’d be moving back to Northern California, and Andy would be down a roommate. This didn’t make Andy particularly happy either. Because, truthfully, she’d grown to really like Kory Wilkes.
On a whim, Andy walked into the kitchen and gave her roommate a hug. “Want me to pick up some cake for later?”
Kory let out a sad sigh. “That’d be cool. I’m probably gonna need it.”
“No problem. Well, I’m off to the beach for a bit.” She waved at Gray. “If I don’t see you before you go, have a safe drive home.”
“Thanks, Andy. Catch you later.”
She headed out to the parking lot and settled into her little Kia since transporting cake on a bike probably wouldn’t work out so well.
A short drive later, she lucked out to find parking near her usual spot, and, with a smile on her face, took the stairs down to the sand. Spotting a note on the Tweety, Andy tugged the scrap of paper out from under a brand new beach bag. A bag which — at a quick perusal — contained two Gatorades, a bag of Doritos, Luke’s phone, some clothes, and an extra towel. Smile widening, Andy unfolded the note.
Don’t even think about taking the Tweety.
