Page 54 of Power Move

“Sit. I promise I don’t bite.” Davey patted the sand.

“If I sit, I might not get back up. My back and hips are fucked—and for once, there is no fun reason for it.”

“I’ll hoist you,” Davey offered

I plopped onto the cool sand indelicately, resting my eyes on the horizon. A few boats remained, their lights bobbing. The waves were calm, breeze cool, and the evening perfect.

“I love this place,” Davey said.

“It’s incredible,” I admitted. “I’d want to just work from home and never leave.”

“You’re not much for city life, then?”

“Oh, I love the city, too. I love London still. But, as I get older, I appreciate the quiet more. And now that I never have it, I want it even more.”

I leaned back, bracing myself with my hands.

Davey looked over, then at my stomach.

“It’s bad, yeah?” I laughed.

“It’s good,” Davey said. “I mean, it’s progress, but… it’s hard to hide in this shirt.”

“Next week. Just let there be good news.”

“Agreed.”

It was awkward. A tension hung.

“I—” We both said.

“Sorry,” I said. “I missed that.”

“I wanted to ask you if I could just touch your stomach. If it’s weird, I… don’t have to. I’m just genuinely curious. Is it soft or firm? It looks firm, but… who knows?”

His interest surprised me. “Yeah, sure.”

Davey put his hand on my stomach gently. “It’s firm. Wild.”

“That’s mostly my stomach muscles,” I said. “It’s nothing impressive yet.”

“The baby is the size of a plum,” Davey said. “That’s impressive enough to me. I cannot grow a damn thing.”

“You researched it?”

“Yeah. I bought actual books,” Davey answered. “Stupid, probably but?—”

“No, you tried. I appreciate it.”

I was glad he sought knowledge rather than me answering every question.

“You’re not comfortable here,” Davey murmured. “Eva, I would like you to be?—”

“Why would I be? I do not belong here. Your mother madethat much clear. And… I don’t want to torture either of us with this game… it would never work.”

Davey looked at me, hand still on my stomach.

“Tell me that you didn’t enjoy it, Eva.”