Page 150 of Hopeless Omega

They’re all sitting on the floor, eating, and I’m on the couch behind them, not hungry yet.

“Not an idiot,” I say, content in a way I never have been before. This feeling hasn’t gone away since June gave us a second chance. If anything, it’s growing.

A piece of popcorn bounces off my nose, and I aim a glare at Torin.

“Still wearing that stupid smile,” he finds it necessary to remind me. “I was doing you a favor. Your face will stick that way.”

June and Callum laugh as I turn to look for the remote control. I might as well start the movie, or Torin’s teasing will become relentless. Or he’ll pick up the camera beside him, take a picture, title it something ridiculous likeLovesick Fool, and frame it.

“Archer?” June says.

“Yeah?” I respond, distracted as my fingers brush the edge of the remote wedged at the back of the couch. How it got there can be a question for another day.

The sweet scent of blueberry teases my nose, and June gently tugs the front of my t-shirt. I twist around, confused, then pleased when she crawls into my lap, straddling me. The more time we spend together, bonding and rebuilding trust, the more tactile June has become.

There’s a wariness in her gaze that makes me think this isn’t just her wanting a hug or to snuggle. I forget about the remote and grasp her hips. “What’s wrong, beautiful?”

Callum and Torin, who were chatting about who to invite for our next movie night, stop talking and snap their concerned gazes toward June.

She chews her lip. “We never figured out the thing you love to do. Your passion.”

I smile at her, relieved it isn’t anything serious, as Callum and Torin’s shoulders relax.

Torin has photography, and he’s good. Really good. Callum has started looking into joining an amateur football team on the weekends, and June bakes every day.

“We have the rest of our lives for that,” I tell her. “I’m in no rush. What’s up with the missing smile?”

“I just might not be as involved in trying to find your passion.”

She’s the one leading this hunt to find my passion, whatever it might be, so I frown, concerned. “Why?” And I start to panic. “You’re leaving.” She decided she couldn’t forgive us after all, and she’s leaving us.

June smiles and shakes her head. “I’m not going anywhere. I love you, and I’ve never been happier.”

Relieved, I sit back on the couch, but I tilt my head, confused. “Then what’s up?”

“We’ve been having a lot of sex.”

I blink at her. “You want to stop?” She’s probably right. We play, we eat, we bake with June, and we have a lot of sex.

Everywhere.

“I’m pregnant,” she says tentatively. “I mean, I think I am. It’s probably a bit too soon to tell, but I definitely feel different, and?—”

Heart so full it could burst, I crush her against me, grinning, then yelping when Torin and Callum throw themselves onto the couch. We forget all about Chinese food and the movie to hug June instead.

I squeeze her, laughing. “I’m gonna be a dad.”

“Weare gonna be dads,” Torin says, beaming.

“And to think Callum thought we’d all wind up in the ER with food poisoning,” June says, laughing.

“Is this a memory you’ll hold on to forever, June?” Callum asks her, happier than I’ve ever seen him before.

Her smile is radiant. “The best. It’s why I wanted to tell you all today.”

The End