Chapter 12

“Can you?” he asked, eyes wide.

I chuckled. “I can’t. Partly because you still have your pants on.”

“I’ll wait,” the operator said.

“Okay. I’m gonna set down the phone,” I told her.

“Fine.”

I did, then I stood to face Elijah. “This isn’t exactly how I pictured saying this to you,” I teased, “but I need you out of those pants.”

“I’m not that kind of guy.”

“That was probably more convincing before you got knocked up.”

“Just help me, will ya?”

The elastic-waist jogging pants slid right off, and I helped him scooch and wiggle his way onto the bed, moving, adding, and taking away pillows until he signaled he was reasonably comfortable

“I’m gonna look,” I told him.

“Do it,” he said, bending his knees to expose his crotch.

After a brief visual exam, I reached for the phone. I met Elijah’s eyes and told him and the operator, “I don’t see baby. Not yet.”