Oh, crap. How am I going to get around that? Even if we get takeout, it’s going to get messy hiding spaghetti or pizza in the couch. Think fast . . .
“Hey, what about the place down the street, Manzoli’s? I don’t want pasta, but they have great subs. We could get it to go. Wasn’t there a game on that you wanted to watch tonight?”
Nick beamed his approval at her. “Good idea, babe.”
I’m a rotten person. The man is looking at me like I’m a rock star while I plot to buy a sub that will fit under the cushions without causing too much mess. The acting award for the most convincing liar goes to Beth Denton!
* * *
Beth woke to a hand gently rubbing her stomach. At first, she thought that Nick was trying to wake her up in the way that they both enjoyed. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t move to let him know that she was awake, maybe curiosity. When his hand didn’t move past her stomach, she was intrigued. He caressed the slight swell of her belly softly, almost reverently. His fingertips explored every inch, as if memorizing her new shape.
Normally, this type of scrutiny would have made her uncomfortable, but something was different in his touch. There was nothing sexual, nor did she feel like he was having any negative thoughts about her changing body. The opposite seemed to be true. She lay there while he explored her for what seemed like hours, but was probably only minutes. Just when she was planning to move, signaling that she was awake, he leaned over her and softly kissed her stomach. She held her breath and tried to will away the tears that were gathering in her eyes. She was thankful when he slid out of the bed and walked to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
What had just happened was so out of character for the Nick that she knew. His actions made it appear that he was happy about her pregnancy. But he never really mentioned it other than asking her how she was feeling, so she assumed that he was in denial. Now she had to wonder if Nick was handling her pregnancy better than she was. Did he think he would freak her out if he talked about the babies or showed excitement? Was she depriving him of her pregnancy by trying to protect him? Maybe it was time to stop acting as if it wasn’t happening and see where Nick stood.
Pregnancy was supposed to be one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life. Just because Beth and Nick weren’t married didn’t mean it couldn’t be that way for them as well. After her doctor’s appointment, she would drag him into Babies “R” Us and see how he took it. She had to smile at the image of a ladies’ man like Nick in a baby store, where he would either sink or swim.
Chapter Twenty-six
When they were settled into the waiting room at the ob-gyn’s office, Nick looked around and whispered, “These women here hate men.”
“What are you talking about?” she whispered back.
“Just look around. Most of them are giving me evil looks. Is this like when you have a baby and you start screaming obscenities at the father because you’re in pain?”
Trying to hide her smile, she said, “Yeah, maybe.” She didn’t bother to add to his inflated ego by telling him that most of the women were looking at him as if he were the last piece of cheesecake on a buffet. Let him continue to think they were staring for a different reason. He would probably send one of them into labor if he turned his sexy grin on them.
“So, how about breakfast after this? We left home before we had a chance to eat.”
Beth couldn’t contain her groan. “Could we at least get through an hour without someone mentioning food?”
Nick gave her an innocent smile that didn’t fool her for a minute.
“Beth Denton.”
They both stood as the nurse called her name. As if trained, Nick walked past the scales and to the end of the room. She almost called him back since she was pleased with what she knew the number would be, but thought better of it. If she had lost any weight, he wouldn’t be happy about it and would redouble his efforts to feed her.
The nurse frowned as she recorded the number. “You are two pounds lighter than your last appointment. Have you been experiencing morning sickness?”
With a rueful smile, Beth said, “Yes, I have.”
“Well, make sure you replenish your fluids, dear. You can talk to the doctor about taking something to lessen it.”
Beth gave Nick a bright smile as the nurse led them into a room and helped her up onto an examination table. He gave her a puzzled look, clearly expecting the same response she’d had at her last weighing in public. When the doctor came in a few moments later, she asked about her morning sickness and Nick mentioned her dizzy spell from last week.