the foyer. “The sacrifices begin now. Better get used to it.”
I slip on a pair of boots and grab my jacket. The weather is getting colder, but it’s still far milder than the Arctic Circle. A shudder wracks my limbs at the faux chill.
Casey quirks a brow my way. “You good?”
“Getting there.”
“It’s probably better if I drive.” She clicks her fob.
I settle into the passenger seat with a sigh. “Thanks for coming to my rescue on short notice.”
“You would do the same for me.” She steers onto Main Street, not bothering to ask where we should go. “But let’s hope you don’t have to until I find myself a Halder.”
The grin splitting my lips is total instinct. “He’s pretty great.”
“I can’t wait to meet him. Finally.”
That reminder brings forth a sinking sensation. Other than my mom and sisters, he hasn’t seen much of my life here. The foundation of our relationship was built in the Canadian wilderness, surrounded by nothing but nature. Will we survive the trials that regular society will throw at us?
A glance out the window bathes me in beaming sunlight. Not a speck of snow has dusted the ground. Cars crowd the streets. People are striding with purpose along the sidewalks. Buildings stand tall in each direction. There’s not a chance of catching sight of the Northern Lights unless we head into the country. Everything is so different. I flick my gaze downward to the flat expanse of my torso. Soon even more will change. Are we ready?
Casey pulls into the lot of Cup & Plate, finding an empty spot in the front row. “Lucky us. And happy hour is just starting.”
“Keep rubbing it in.”
“The sober fun is just beginning for you.” She tips her head back with a manic cackle. “Just kidding. It’s not like you’ve ever been a huge booze hound.”
“It’s nice to take the edge off. I could use a little numbing juice for this situation.”
“You can drink vicariously through me. I’ll order whatever you can’t.”
I wink at her. “You’re too kind.”
She returns my gesture with gusto, fluttering her lashes extra fast. “What can I say? I’m a people pleaser.”
A frosty wind nips at my exposed cheeks as we shuffle toward the entrance. The trusty comfort of fresh garlic and melted cheese greets me as we step inside. Those simple pleasures never get old. Since it’s only four o’clock, the place isn’t too busy. A sign by the host stand tells us to seat ourselves.
Casey thrusts an arm out, motioning left to right. “Booth or bar?”
The butcher block counter reminds me of the woods in an ancient ancestor sort of way. “Eh, I’ll belly up on a stool. Just for kicks.”
“That’s the spirit.”
We hop onto our seats and order a round of cocktails, sans alcohol for me. It only takes a handful of moments before the weight of this afternoon’s reveal bears down on me. I roll my shoulders while sipping at the citrus slush in my glass. The bundle of nerves only doubles in size and threatens to expand wider.
Casey peeks at me over her salted rim. “Can we address how you’re going to tell Baby Daddy yet?”
And there goes the rest of my false calm. “Is it awful that I want to hide under a rock until he’s forced to guess?”
She pops her lips open. “You have to tell him, Blakely. He deserves to know.”
I giggle at her mask of offense. “Whoa, that’s not what I meant. Obviously I want to share the news with him. It’s a super huge deal, and he’ll be excited. Trust me, I have no intentions of keeping this a secret from him. I just don’t know how to spill the beans.”
“Send him a picture of your pee stick.”
“Gross, no. This should be done in person.”
“And how long will it be until you can see him?”
“I don’t know. This is all too much.” I scrub over my bleary eyes. “I’m an emotional mess. Are my hormones already out of whack?”
“Most definitely.” She makes a circular motion around my middle. “This is like PMS on steroids.”
“How lovely.”
Casey gives my arm a light squeeze. “You’ll be fine. It’s a learning curve. Halder will be there to rub your sore back and deliver ice cream at midnight.”
The poor man has no idea what’s coming for him. “This is all my fault. The last thing Halder needs is a baby. He has enough to worry about already without me adding to the stress. What am I going to do?”