Page 47 of Together

She playfully shoves me. “Shut up, you can’t deny that there’s truth to what I’m saying.”

“I can deny it. Why in the hell would I want to be in the room while my sister shoves a baby out of her vagina?”

“Hey! I’m still here, you know. Just come so that you’re here when the baby arrives. You don’t have to be in the room. Holy shit, that would be awkward.”

I point to the phone. “See? Even Dean says it would be awkward.”

She drops back onto her butt, pouting. “I don’t know why you’re being such a party pooper about it. It would be so cool.”

“You’re so wrong. It would in no way be cool.”

“Yo!” Dean shouts. “Are you listening to me? Are you on your way? I’m kind of in the middle of something here and listening to you and your woman argue about seeing my wife give birth isn’t at the top of the list.”

“She isn’t my…” I trail off, knowing that’s not the point right now, “yeah, we’ll be there soon.” I slip my phone back into my pocket after saying goodbye to Dean.

“Yes!” Ashley pumps her fist in the air and jumps off the couch. “I’m sooooo excited!”

“You don’t say?” I deadpan.

We slip back into our coats and I place a hand on her lower back as we walk out of the coffee shop. “Just riding with me?”

“Makes sense. Unless you’re going to want to stay longer, then I should probably drive separate.”

“Just ride with me. It’s supposed to snow and there’s no way I can put you into that car when it’s bad weather. I don’t really have long-term plans of hanging out at the hospital, anyway.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“How are you calm right now? You’re not freaking out. You’re just chill. Like your sister isn’t having a baby at this very moment.”

I shrug. “It’s not that I’m not worried, but people have babies every day. It’s not exactly Bible times, you know? Besides, Dean is capable of being there for her and so will the doctors and nurses.”

“But… you’re just, walking around like this is totally normal.”

“And? Would you rather I begin running through the streets, screaming and yelling?”

“Maybe?”

“Careful what you wish for, babe. This is the same guy you’re going to want to be completely calm in about thirty-three weeks when it’s our turn.”

“Our turn. That sounds weird, doesn’t it? We still barely know each other.”

I wrap an arm around her shoulder. “But we’re getting there, little by little.”

She looks up at me. “He’s gonna have the darkest eyes ever, isn’t he?”

“Appears so.” I wink at her.

“If he takes after you, he’s going to charm the literal pants off anyone, too.”

“Clearly,” I tease, adding another wink in for good measure and she smiles.

Something that she said earlier clicks with me, making my feet come to a stop. “Do I touch you too much?”

“What?”

I turn to look at her. “I’m kind of a handsy guy, I know this and maybe you’re not okay with it? I just show my affection often and maybe I’m overstepping. You’ve mentioned more than once that we barely know each other.”

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