Page 2 of Blizzard Babies
“With a little Jameson’s,” he says.
“Sure, rub it in that I can’t have any.”
“Hey, you get a little of the taste without the alcohol.”
“I could use more than a little alcohol right about now,” I mutter.
“What’s wrong?” he asks softly, perching on the edge of my desk.
I motion to my stomach. “Hello? Have you not noticed your fat, exhausted wife?”
“I don’t see fat,” he replies patiently, his gray eyes gleaming. “I do see the sexiest, most hardworking woman I know growing our child inside of her.”
“I’m done with being pregnant,” I tell him, moving two fingers back and forth across my forehead, trying to fend off the headache that’s been threatening all morning.
“Tell you what.” He stands up and holds out his hands. “How about you play hooky this afternoon and we hit the spa?”
I roll my eyes. “I can’t, Gage. I have a million things to do.”
“Last time I checked, I was your boss,” he says, a teasing lilt to his voice. “I could make you go to the spa with me.”
“Just because you’re my boss doesn’t mean I can ignore my responsibilities. If I don’t do them now, I’m going to have to work late tonight. And tomorrow we leave on a road trip.”
“My love… maybe it’s time to go on maternity leave,” he suggests gently.
I glare at him. “Seriously? Now?”
“When else?” he asked. “You’re tired and miserable. Matthew misses you. Hell, I miss you.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have knocked me up again,” I snap.
“Your IUD slipped out of place,” he says. “That was no one’s fault.”
“I don’t want to argue,” I lean back in my chair. “But I can’t play hooky today if I’m going to spend time with the baby tonight. I’m sorry. I’ve got to finalize notes for Drake for when he takes over and also rearrange the third and fourth lines for the next game, and I have a doctor’s appointment at two.”
“You can do some of that on the plane tomorrow,” he says, not budging.
“Gage.” I gave him a dirty look, but he gives me one right back.
“Laurel.”
We stare at each other, but he’s the one who finally backs down.
Not because he isn’t tough as nails when he has to be, but because he loves me enough to let me win. Even when I probably should have given in.
“I don’t want to fight either,” he says after a moment. “Will you please come home early then? Matthew needs to spend more than five minutes with you before you leave.”
Making me feel guilty about our son is a surefire way of getting me to do what he wants, and I nod despite the manipulation. “Yes. Okay. I’ll be home right after my appointment. Promise.”
“You’d better. Don’t think I won’t come back up here to get you.”
I smile. “Oh, I know you will.”
“I love you,” he says, brushing his lips across mine. “I’m sorry this happened at such an inconvenient time. I know we wanted to time it for summer.”
“I love you too.” I reach up to touch his face. “Sorry I’m so cranky.”
“It’s all right.” He puts one of his big, warm hands on my stomach. “It’s almost over. We’ll regroup this summer and work on a plan to make your schedule easier going forward.”
