“Patience, young grasshopper.”
“You know damn well that patience was not a virtue I was born with. Now spill, Jacobs!”
Zach throws his head back in laughter. “This is very true.”
Enough with changing the subject damnit. I’ll call Ky and ask him. This is getting ridiculous. I throw my hands up in frustration
Zach reaches for my hand and brushes his hand over the ring he gave me a year and a half ago, and his smile widens.
“Ky is going to ask Dani to marry him. He’s already spoken to my dad, and tonight he wanted to make sure I was okay with it too. I can’t believe he asked for my permission. Oh, and he wants you to help him pick out the ring this week—that is, if you’re free. I told him you would call him.”
“What? Oh, my God! That’s amazing!” I jump up off the couch in excitement.
I only get a moment to celebrate before my stomach has other plans. My hand rushes to cover my mouth, and I spin on my heels and race to the bathroom.
“Hails?” Zach calls out from the hallway. “Are you okay? I know my sister had a crazy reaction to us getting engaged, but don’t you think throwing up is a little extreme?”
I turn to look at him, now standing in the bathroom doorway, and narrow my eyes before my stomach turns on me, and I continue to the porcelain throne. When I finish, I sit back and exhale a loud breath, trying to blow the fallen strands of hair out of my face.
The humorous side of Zach leaves, and his face turns serious as he crouches down in front of me, tucking the fallen hairs behind my ear.
He brushes his lips against my forehead before he stands. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and into bed.”
“I’m fine, really, Zach. Dinner must not have settled with me.”
I wash my hands and splash water over my face. I reach for the hand towel and find the ring empty. As I lean down to reach under the sink for a new towel, I see the unopened box of tampons and instantly freeze. No, wait…when was my last period?
The color from my face drains.
“Are you about to get sick again?
“No, I think I’m okay.” But am I?
“Are you sure, because you don’t look it.”
With the tampon box in my hand, I sit down on the closed lid toilet and stare at it. Come on, Haylee, when was the last time you needed one of these? Things have certainly been stressful lately with wedding planning, and there is no shortage of sex in this house.
As if Zach and I were in tune enough and he could read my thoughts, he mutters, “Oh shit.”
My eyes meet his, and he visibly swallows before running his fingers through his hair. I worry that I am going to need to move from where I’m sitting to allow him to lose his dinner with the way he’s looking. Finally, he shoves his hands in his pocket.
“Okay, wow. Talk about a crazy turn of events tonight. Hey, it’s okay.”
Zach sits on the edge of the tub, removes the box from my hands, and places it on the floor. He laces his fingers with mine. “Hey, come here.”
I hesitate at first, but then I rise from where I sit and settle into his lap. His hand rubs circles on my back.
“Okay, here’s the plan. Tonight, we go back into the living room and curl up on the couch and watch some more How I Met Your Mother, I tell you about Ky’s plans, and we worry about this tomorrow. Deal?”
I nod in between sniffles.
“Plus, I’m pretty sure there are some cookies and cream ice cream still in the freezer.”
My eyes perk up at the mention of ice cream. Nothing a little time with my favorite five can’t fix.
Zach leans in to kiss me, but I press my hand to his chest and push him back.
“What’s wrong?” He tilts his head in confusion.