Page 85 of The Do-Over
“Yeah, I guess you did,” Steph agreed. “Sometimes I still can’t believe that story. That you were staying here with Thea without any memory of what had happened between you guys. And then I ran into you at your award presentation and had no idea at all that anything was off. You really put on a good show.”
“He knows how to work a crowd,” Thea said.
“Suppose we start the movie now,” Carlo chimed in. “I’d like to get home before sunrise. I have to open the restaurant tomorrow.”
Rob nodded and hit play on the remote. “I’ll go make us some popcorn,” he suggested.
“Sounds good,” Steph and Carlo said in unison.
Rob disappeared. A moment later, Thea started to struggle to her feet.
“Hey, what do you need?” Steph asked. “I’ll get it for you. You should stay down.”
“No, I’m fine,” Thea insisted. “Seriously. I want to move around a little. I’ll be right back.”
“She’s fine,” Carlo said. “You don’t need to baby her. My sister’s tough.”
Thea grinned at him and made her way into the kitchen after Rob. He was just pouring the popcorn kernels into the pot.
He glanced at her. “What’s up? Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” she said. “I just wanted to be with you.”
“You’re going to miss the beginning of the movie.”
“Yeah, but they’ll tell me what I missed.” She went over to him and rested her head on his shoulder.
He moved to stand behind her, wrapped his arms around her, and cradled her belly. “Want me to take some of the pressure off?”
“Yes, please.”
He wrapped his arms beneath her belly and lifted gently.
Immediately, Thea felt twenty pounds lighter. She groaned in relief. “You’re amazing. How do you even know how to do this?”
“One of my patients told me,” he said. “I’ve got that picture of you at work—you know, the one at the apple orchard—”
“I look so bulky in that picture.”
“You look pregnant and beautiful. And there’s also the ultrasound picture on my cabinet. So everyone knows my wife is expecting.”
She grinned. “I still love the way you say the word wife.”
“Well, I still love saying it.” He smiled. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that.”
“I don’t think I will either.”
“Anyway, lots of people have been giving me advice. Would you like to know what the best children’s TV shows are?”
“Maybe some other time.” She leaned back and rested her head against him. “Let’s just keep doing this for now.”
“You don’t think we should get back out to our guests?”
“They’re fine. They’re watching monsters kill each other. We can spare a few minutes.”
Rob nodded. “As long as you like,” he said. “You know I’m yours, whenever and wherever you want me.”
“I just want you with me. All the time.” It was more than enough, more than she had ever dreamed of, that he had come to live in Deer Ridge with her. She had never expected it of him. When they’d gotten back together, she’d been sure it would mean leaving Iowa at last.
