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She kneas the best advice she could get "Thanks "

"Now lets talk about the important shit, like names You dont have to name her after me Tallulah sort of sucks No wonder dopehead picked it, but my middle name is Rose Thats not so bad"

The rest of the afternoon passed in quiet conversation They avoided talk of the baby and focused on inconsequential things By the time theyd left the restaurant and driven back to town, Kates desperation had eased It wasnt gone, but having a plan of action helped

When Tully parked behind the houseboat, Kate gave her friend a fierce hug and said goodbye

Alone in Johnnys house, she changed into a pair of sweats and an old T-shirt, then went into the living room to wait for him

As she sat there, knees pressed together (too late for that), her hands clasped, she listened to the ordinary sounds of this life shed grown accustos around her, the squawking of seagulls, the ever-present chug of a ile before, or so bittersweet All her life shed i, a polyester emotion that could handle the wear and tear of everyday action, but now she sa dangerous that perception was It lulled you, put you at risk

Across the room, the lock clicked and the door opened Johnny smiled when he saw her "Hey, there I called you before I left the office Where were you?"

"I played hooky with Tully "

"Happy hour, huh?" He pulled her up into his arms and kissed her

She let herself ainst him When she put her aro

She held on so tightly he had to actually pull her away "Katie?" he said, stepping back enough to look down at her "Whats wrong?"

In the last hour shed iined a dozen different ways to tell hi here in front of hiift that could be wrapped in pretty paper and she wasnt the kind of woman who could stay silent

"Ie

He stared at her for an eternity, unco "Youre what? How did that happen?"

"The normal way, Im pretty sure "