Page 12 of Big Dog (Lonesome Garage #2)

W e have a routine. It’s only been three weeks, but it works. Romy sets an alarm for the coffeepot in the morning, then takes the first cup into the bathroom with her. She comes out, I go in, and when I come out again, there are pancakes started. It’s great.

Until this morning. Romy went into the bathroom twenty minutes ago and she’s still there. Twenty minutes isn’t excessively long for a woman to take to put on make-up and do her hair and shit, but Romy’s a fifteen-minute woman in the mornings.

At twenty-five, I knock on the door. “Are you okay? You’re late.”

“Tell me about it.” There’s a long pause, but she doesn’t open the door. “You know when you asked me to move in and you said I could have a spare room for myself?”

I’ve been trying to get her to move in for two weeks already. “Yes.”

“Can I have it for somebody else?”

“Like who? Did you want to get a cat?”

Romy opens the door. She’s dressed and ready for work. She’s holding a narrow, white plastic case in her hand. “I haven’t given notice at my rental yet, so I’m okay either way.”

I’m still stuck on the white plastic case. “Are you contagious?”

“No.”

The other option is, “Are you pregnant?”

“Apparently.” I’ve never seen Romy anything but confident. The shadows in her blue eyes scare me. “I’ll make a doctor’s appointment to be sure. That’ll give you some time.”

“Time for what?”

“Time to see if you’re good with this. If I am pregnant, and all signs point towards yes, I’m good.

I have insurance and everybody always needs a hairdresser.

The timing will be tricky with the salon opening but I’ll see if I can work out some split babysitting time with Violet. If not, the daycare?—”

“I’m good with it!” I yell. “Romy, I’m good with a baby.

I’m great with a baby. I’m great with twins or however many you’re carrying.

” I never expected this, but I’m not sorry.

I was jealous of Deacon and Violet having a family already.

Being older than both of them, I was starting to give up hope of one of my own.

“We’ve been together for a month. I don’t want you to think you’re obliged.”

“What part of “I love you” are you having problems with, sweetheart? I told you I was planning on a future with you. We haven’t talked about it, but I had hoped that a baby—our baby—could be part of that one day.”

Romy sniffles, then throws herself into my arms. “I love you too. I didn’t do this on purpose. I need you to know.”

That never entered my mind. “Pretty sure I was the one wearing the busted condom.” After she stops crying, she tosses the test onto the bathroom vanity and grips my shirt with both fists. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? I know it’s fast.”

“Romy, I may be slow to catch up with you sometimes, but, baby, I am with you forever.”

THE END