Page 122 of Playing For Keeps
“Your birthday is next weekend. How about we combine my celebration with yours?”
I shrug. “Are you sure you want to share the spotlight?”
“Girl, the spotlight is on both of us no matter when we go out. We’re like the greatest eye candy in the world, so it won’t be anything new.”
“I wish I had your conviction.”
“No, you don’t. You like being the way you are.”
I pinch my brows together. “And what way is that?”
“Confident but modest. It’s the only reason I hung out with you when I first met you.” She leans forward and takes a candy out of a dish that’s sitting on the coffee table and pops it in her mouth.
“Why would that make you want to hang out with me?”
“Duh. There can’t be two of us like me. Could you imagine the fights we’d have over who was in charge?”
“I don’t need to be in charge.” I stand and stroll to the window.
The view of the beach is spectacular. My heart fills with gratitude that Jami is willing to help Melanie out.
He’s such a good man.
Mel cuts into my thoughts. “What are you thinking about?”
“Just how amazing my fiancé is.”
“He’s a great catch. I still wish I would’ve seen him first.”
I turn to her and pretend to glare. “He’s going to be my husband, so stop thinking about him in that way.”
She waves me off. “Every woman who takes one look at him is fantasizing about him. At least I tell you up front.”
She’s probably not wrong. A zap of jealousy strikes me, causing me to frown.
Melanie must read it on my face. “He already loves youmore than life itself, but if you want to solidify that and show it off to other people, give him what he wants.”
“And what would that be?”
“A baby.”
I tilt my head. “How do you know that’s what he wants?”
“I see the way he holds you. His hands are always rubbing your belly like you’re already pregnant. He asked me once if you ever talked about having kids. It’s obvious he’s thinking about it.” She pauses. “I shouldn’t tell you this, but…”
“But what?”
“After you were rescued, they told Jami you were pregnant. His entire face lit up when they told him. Then he found out you made it up. I was talking to him about it one day, and he admitted he was sad it wasn’t true, but he wanted to focus on you being found and safe.”
“He was sad that I wasn’t pregnant?”
“Yeah. I’d say almost devastated. He wants a baby, Dori, and he wants it with you.”
My adrenaline spikes. “I don’t know if I can go there again.”
“Why?”
“You know why. If I lost another baby, I’d die. Just thinking about it…” I tune in to my feelings like my therapist has me practice.
