Free Hourglass Squared by K. S., Megan C. Smith Page B

relationships and romance look so, so… special. I wanted more, but not this much more. Not babies, and a husband, and a house. I didn't want to jump off the domesticated life-cliff head first. I'm not you, Brooke. I'm not a Suzy Homemaker who wants to rock an apron barefoot and pregnant. I don't want to have baby puke on me instead of couture dresses. I don't want to trade in my BMW for a minivan. Every part of me wants to run away, to escape, but this," she paused a moment waving her hand in front of her stomach, "this is just too much."
    I watched Savannah disassemble. My best friend crumbled into a pile of rubble as she faced the reality of her inescapable future. After standing up, I slipped into the kitchen to pull out something that Josh had bought for a date night we kept putting off, deciding Savannah and I needed it tonight. When I walked back out to Savannah, her eyes lit up at the wine glasses in my hands.
    "We can't. You wouldn't," she half-asked, half-begged.
    "Not completely," I shrugged. "It's mostly grape juice with a very low alcohol content, and the midwife told Josh it was perfectly safe. One glass though."
    Before I could say more, Savannah had the glass in her hand, holding it up like a chalice as she looked to me with appreciation.
    "I've ordered pizza, I'm going to put in a movie, and we are having a girl's night," I said, clinking my glass with Savannah's as the first smile of the night tilted her lips up at the corners.
    "Thank you, Brooke," she softly said. "I need this. And I need to stay here at least a week. I'm sorry."
    "Don't," I demanded. "Don't apologize. It's you and me, Sav, always. The boys will be just fine at the condo for as long as you need."
     

CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    Savannah
    B ROOKE HAD BEEN my saving grace for the past week. When I'd needed an out, a place to go where I didn't have to think about babies and my future, she'd opened her home to me, and I was so grateful for that. But, as Friday evening rolled around, I knew it was time for me to get back to reality, back to Jake. Meeting Brooke in her usual parking space at Hourglass, I hopped into the front seat, and she pulled out of the parking garage.
    The brightness of the setting sun hit my eyes as Brooke awaited the turn signal that would take us toward her house. "Hey, I think you may want to go straight. I've been hiding out for long enough, and I'm sure you're ready to have your husband back."
    Brooke let out a huge sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness."
    Giving her a dirty look, I crossed my arms. Some best friend you are.
    "Oh don't give me that look. I don't mean that I'm glad to be getting rid of you. I'm just glad that Josh will finally be able to come home. Poor thing has had to wait for you to fall asleep every night so I can sneak him in, and then he's up and out before you wake up."
    Releasing a laugh that seemed like it'd been built up forever, I massaged my temples. "I know I've been childish, I get that, but it's so hard."
    Brooke reached over and took my hand, squeezing it tightly. "You don't have to apologize to me, Sav. I know you better than anyone else, so I get it." Taking off when the light turned green, Brooke drove toward the condo, the car silent of conversation the entire way there.
    My key twisted inside the lock, and I pushed the door open to a deserted condo. Glancing around the empty room, I noticed Jake was nowhere in sight, so I peeked down at my watch, checking the time. Six in the evening on a Friday night? He'd usually be home by now. I wonder where he is? I dragged my overnight bag across the floor toward our bedroom.
    The room was just as I'd left it, as if the bed hadn't been slept in since I'd gone. I lifted my overnight back onto the crisp white quilt and began unpacking; figuring Jake would be home any minute. Thirty minutes later, my things were all put away, and I'd even thrown a load of dirty clothes into the wash.
    Standing in the bathroom, I examined my naked body in the mirror. I