Susan Mallery - Sweet Talk

“Go in the kitchen,” Nicole told her. “There’s a surprise.”

Amy raced in that direction. When she’d left, Nicole said, “I agree. She’s very together. I wouldn’t have been at her age.”

“Me, either.”

Nicole rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Of the two of us, you have the best shot at the title of mature child. You were practically living on your own as you studied and toured the world.”

“I couldn’t have handled what she’s doing. Amy has backbone. I would have listened to the adults around me and done what they told me to.”

“If only that were still true,” Nicole said with a sniff.

Claire laughed.

Amy burst back into the room. “You made cookies! Can I have one?”

“Of course,” Claire said. “My first attempt at baking. Be kind.”

“They’ll be fine,” Nicole told her. “Baking is in your blood.”

“I hope so.”

“As long as you didn’t use too much salt.”

Claire remembered the unfortunate incident the first day she’d gone to the bakery. “We’re not going to mention that.”

“Aren’t we?”

“No.”

Claire led Amy back into the kitchen and served her a couple of cookies, along with a glass of milk. She sat across from her at the table and listened to the details of her day.

As the girl spoke and signed and laughed, Claire realized something. She didn’t just love Wyatt. She loved his daughter, too. Leaving them both behind, not to mention Nicole and even Jesse, was going do more than hurt. It was going to break her heart.

C LAIRE HOVEREDimpatiently, dancing from foot to foot, counting to herself. She’d used three different tests at the same time and then lined them up on the bathroom counter on a paper towel. Now came the hard part-waiting.

The sticks offered her nothing at first, then one by one they changed and gave her the same message. She shrieked and ran into Nicole’s bedroom.

Her sister was still in bed. It was barely after six, so Nicole being asleep wasn’t a huge surprise. But Claire didn’t care. It was only in deference to her sister’s still-healing knee that she didn’t jump on the mattress. But she did yell.

“Get up! Get up. You have to be awake so I can tell you myself.”

She pulled back the drapes and opened the blinds. Sunlight spilled into the room.

Nicole sat up and blinked at her. “What’s your problem? It’s early.” She glanced at the clock. “Dear God, I’m going to have to kill you.”

Claire didn’t care. She spun in a circle, her happiness giving her speed and momentum. She couldn’t possibly be expected to contain all the happiness bubbling up inside of her.

“I’m pregnant,” she announced. “I peed on three different sticks in three different tests and I’m pregnant. I’m having a baby. Isn’t that the best?”

Nicole’s mouth dropped open. “Since when?”

“This morning. Oh. I guess technically since that first night Wyatt and I, you know. I’m so happy. I’ve always wanted children. I never thought I could get pregnant so easily. I thought I’d have to work for it more. This is going to change everything. I get to be a mom and start a family.” She stopped spinning and planted her feet until the room stopped moving, too.

Nicole laughed. “Too bad no one can harness that energy.”

“I know. You’ll be an aunt. I hope I have a girl. Is it okay to hope that? Except a boy would be great. I definitely want a boy.”

“I know you haven’t been drinking, but you are totally out of it.”

“I’m happy! I’ve always wanted kids but that seemed impossible, like I would never be that normal.” Claire laughed. “I should have gotten pregnant years ago.”

“Apparently.”

Claire settled on the edge of the bed and grinned. “You’re worried. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Just about Wyatt.”

The man who was probably not going to be so happy about this, Claire thought, bubbling too much to have anything break her mood.

“He’ll come around or he won’t. Either way, I’ll deal.”

“Good for you,” Nicole told her. “He may surprise us both. And if he doesn’t, I’ll break his kneecaps. I happen to know that can be really painful.”

Claire leaned forward and hugged her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Even if I am a little bitter.”

Claire pulled back. “Why?”

“Because I always wanted a family, too. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful Drew and I never got around to the kid thing. But a baby would be nice.”

She sounded wistful as she spoke.

“So go get pregnant,” Claire told her. “It’s easy.”

Nicole laughed. “So I’ve heard. I appreciate the advice, but I think I’ll wait a bit. Things are a little complicated right now. But I’m happy for you.”

“Me, too!” Claire sighed. “I’m also terrified, but in a good way. I’m filled with possibilities and anticipation.”

“What are you going to do about your career?”

“I don’t know.” While thoughts of Wyatt being unhappy didn’t affect her mood, a sharp longing to play again seemed to shave off a couple of layers of happiness.

“I miss it,” Claire admitted. “More and more. Can I do both?”

“Why not? Aren’t you rich? Can’t you hire help if you need it.”

“Sure.”

“Honey, then I say go for it.”

Claire laughed again. “I will.”

C LAIRE CALLED AHEADto make sure Wyatt was at his office, then drove over before he could head out to a job site. She spent the thirty-minute trip alternating between total happiness and a gnawing worry about what he was going to say.

In a perfect world he would be as excited about the baby as she was. She wasn’t going to hold her breath for that, though. She figured the best she could hope for was neutrality.

She walked into the building and was directed back to his private office. Wyatt hung up the phone as she entered, smiled and moved toward her.

“An unexpected pleasure,” he told her, pulling her close and kissing her. “The best kind.”

His mouth was warm on hers, making her tummy clench in anticipation. Blood moved faster and the instant desire made her want to throw herself at him.

She pulled back, laughing. “How do you do that? Turn me on with just a kiss?”

“I’m gifted.”

He was more than that. He was everything she’d ever wanted. Strong, yet gentle. Caring, determined, even stubborn. She loved so much about him, including how much he loved his daughter. Would he be willing to give their child the same amount of caring?

He put his hand on her waist and kissed her again. “If you’re here for something quick on my desk, I can tell you that I’m open to the possibility. In the name of making all your fantasies come true.”

She touched his face. “You’re so generous.”

“I know.”

“While I appreciate the offer, I stopped by to tell you some happy news.”

Wyatt stiffened. “Okay.”

“What?”

“Your happy may not be my happy. Are you leaving?”

She hadn’t expected him to say that. “Leaving for New York?”

“You will eventually. Your work is there. You can’t give up the piano forever.”

A fierce longing gripped her. She was less surprised by it this time-it seemed to happen more and more lately. The need to create, to be one with the music. To let it fill her up and spill out of her.

“I’m not leaving,” she told him. Not yet, a voice whispered. She ignored it and looked at Wyatt. “I’m pregnant.”

Everything about him seemed to freeze in place. Then he was moving, putting space between them.