Page 47 of Size Queen

“Are you still there?” I ask softly.

“Yeah,” he answers. “Noelle…”

“Actually,” I snap, “do you think you could just go?”

“Back to bed?”

“No. Do you think you could head out for the night, maybe?” I wonder. “Please…? It’s not you, I promise.”

“Then what is it?”

“Damon, please,” I beg shamelessly. “Please just go… I’ll talk to you soon, I promise. Please.”

I expect to hear him resist again or say a farewell of some kind. I’m not sure when, but he eventually honors my request and leaves. I hate having to dismiss him so callously, but nothing else matters to me right now.

I go back to my bed, alone. I remain unable to fall asleep, and I waste the night away with thoughts of the man I just sent away and the baby that’s cooking in the oven with both of our DNAs.