My fingers are aching and my lower back isn’t far behind as the clock creeps past three thirty Friday afternoon. It feels like it’s been the longest few days of my life. I’m sure I pulled some longer days in college. I was an expert at all-nighters, but I know I’m more exhausted now than I was when I was cramming marketing theory at two in the morning.

Part of it has been a mini-business boom. In addition to the new product and restocking, the shop has been crazy busy with customers, and Devon and I have stayed after hours every night to get the new items out on the floor.

I don’t know what caused the boom, but it’s been great for the bottom line. One of the spring dresses I’d bought an entire rack of completely sold out already, and I even had to rush-order a few more to keep up with demand. The Etsy dealer must be doing backflips themselves . . . or shitting themselves trying to keep up with my demand.

But for now, we’re finally done. I glance over at Devon, who’s looking just as exhausted as me. “Devon, thank you so much! I don’t know how I would’ve done this without you. You’re a life-saver.”

She smiles back, her chin lifting proudly as she surveys the shop and all our hard work. “No problem, Rose. I’m happy to help. And I appreciate your teaching me so much. I know unpacking and hanging clothes isn’t exactly fun and games, but your telling me about how you choose what to order and the quantities helps me understand the whole process better.”

I snicker, smirking back at her. “I love how you make my rambling about business stuff that only interests me sound like something you actually enjoy. Thanks for indulging an old lady.”

Devon bursts out in giggles, shaking her long, dark locks. “Old lady? You make it sound like you’re ancient. You’re a few of years older than me, and I’m twenty-two.”

I half-close my eyes, nodding sagely while putting on a false philosophical accent. “Ahh, but it is the wisdom and life in those few years' difference that change everything.”

She rolls her eyes, heading for the back room where I know we’ve both got water bottles stashed. “All right, Dr. Phil-etta, you'd better get out of here before you’re late for your prenatal appointment, or did you forget about it?”

I can’t help but bounce up and down a little bit, despite my aching lower back. “Of course I didn’t forget! It’s sonogram day and I get to find out if Jelly Bean is a boy or a girl. I really hope it’s a girl or Brad is gonna be so pissed. He already bought pink booties with humongous bows on them and a onesie with a tutu attached. Can you believe that? A tutu. I guess I’m just thankful he hasn’t bought a tiara yet. Well, at least not one for the baby, but between you and me, I’m certain he has one for his own use.”

Devon snickers. “He definitely has at least one, and don’t tell him that I snitched, but he already bought a headband with a big tiara printed on it, complete with blingy rhinestones.”

I laugh, waving it off. “I can definitely believe that.” Giving her a quick hug, I grab my purse and head out to my appointment. I’m supposed to meet Nic there, even though he offered to pick me up. With the way I’ve started feeling every time I see he’s sent me a text, I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t detour the car straight back to my house for a quickie before the appointment. As much as I want him, I don’t want to jump the gun.

Speaking of texts, I check my phone to make sure he hasn’t sent anything while I was working today. It’s another habit I’ve gotten into, just sneaking my phone out for a moment to see if he’s sent me anything. In some ways, I feel like a teenager again.

Nope, nothing new since his simple confirmation of the appointment he sent me this morning, but I see the few texts we sent last night, full of double-entendres and dirty talk. I swear that man can get me off when he’s not even in the same room. Actually, that was literally the case last night because after we signed off for the night, I had to finish what we started, rubbing myself until I yelled out his name.

Shutting off the phone for the drive, I soon pull into the doctor’s office lot and see Nic waiting outside. He looks handsome as always, dressed in a business suit with a long overcoat to keep out the chill.

He waves, immediately rushing over and opening the car door for me, taking my hand to help me stand, and then wrapping his arms around me in a big hug. “No carrying me through the lot, you big ape,” I tease, relaxing into his arms. “How was your day?’

His lips press to my cheek, and my heart speeds up as he whispers in my ear, “I’ve missed you.”

Smiling, I reply back, “I’ve missed you too, but we’ve been so busy I’ve been working like mad the last few days. I don’t think I’ve sat down once before ten in the evening.”

Nic raises an eyebrow as he looks down at me, and I can tell he knows I’m exaggerating just a little. Actually, last night, I was lying in bed with my legs spread, my fingers busy, and my mind on nothing but him at ten . . . but he gets the idea. “Well, maybe we can go to dinner after we see the doctor and then I can give you a reason to sit down.”

I lean back, patting his chest playfully. “Any particular reason in mind?”

I’m flirting, half-hoping he says something sexy back but cautiously reminding myself to go slow. It’s just so damn hard with Nic. Everything with him seems natural, easy, and about a hundred miles an hour.

He nods somberly, playing Mr. Serious. “Definitely something in mind.” He leans back down to whisper in my ear, his breath tickling me and making my stomach flutter. “Maybe I could interest you in a foot rub since you’ve been working so hard?”

I moan, my mind already filling with ideas of candles, oil, lingerie, and Nic on his knees easing the exhaustion out of my feet before moving up my legs. “That’s not at all what I thought you were going to say, but that sounds amazing. Just don’t judge my pedicure. I slapped a fresh coat of polish on for the appointment, but my toes are getting further away every day so I’m sure it’s sloppy.”

Nic laughs, letting go enough to let me catch my balance. “Trust me, I’m not judging your polish.” He takes my hand, and we go inside, quickly getting escorted to the sonogram room.

Within moments, Dr. Stevens enters and I introduce Nic to him. “Nice to meet you, Nicolas. We would like to do some bloodwork on you too, and there’s a questionnaire if you’re up for some paperwork? I just want to make sure we screen for any possible complications, not that I think we’ll find any.”

I look to Nic, uncertain about his response, but his voice is unwavering as he answers Dr. Stevens. “Sure, we can take care of whatever you need today. I’m here for Rose and for Jelly Bean.”

His steadiness puts me at ease, a coil of tightness loosening in my heart to let Nic sneak in just a little more. I lie back on the table, Nic moving politely up to stand by my head and hold my hand.

I jump a bit as Dr. Stevens squirts cold jelly onto my belly and begins moving the handheld wand around. I watch as he points out various body parts and takes measurements, my eyes flicking back and forth between the screen to see for myself and then back to Nic to see his reaction.

Nic looks a little terrified, but mostly excited, probably exactly how I looked at first, and I remind myself that to him, this is all brand-new. Dr. Stevens presses a little bit, getting a view of the heart flickering on the screen. With a press of a button, the musical rhythm of Jelly Bean’s heartbeat fills the room. My eyes lock with Nic’s and his jaw drops open in wonder. “Is that it—the baby’s heart?”

Dr. Stevens nods. “Yep, sounds good. Everything’s looking good, for that matter. Measurements are right on track for your due date. Are we finding out the gender today?”

I nod, grinning foolishly as I think about the idea. “Yes, please! I can’t wait any longer. And Auntie Brad will probably kill me if I don’t call him within minutes of leaving here.”

Nic squeezes my hand, and I look up to see him gather his courage and strength. In his steady gaze, I know that somehow, everything’s going to be all right. “We’re ready.”

Dr. Stevens draws a circle on the screen before declaring triumphantly, “Looks like you’re having a . . .” He pauses dramatically, and we nod like bobble heads until he explodes into a huge grin. “Girl!”

The news is stunning somehow, as if knowing that I have a baby girl inside me makes this all real, and I burst into tears. Joy fills and explodes inside me like someone’s just set off a whole value-pack of fireworks, and I’ve got sparklers, Roman candles, pinwheels, and more running all around inside me, and the only way to let off the pressure is through tears.

Nic looks back at me, suddenly confused as he wipes the tears away, wrapping his arms around me and whispering in my ear. “It’s okay, Rose. We’re having a girl, and she’s going to be beautiful and perfect, just like you.”

Vaguely, I realize he’s trying to comfort me, like I’m disappointed, and I laugh. The combination of tears and laughter do him in, and he looks to Dr. Stevens for help. “Uh . . . Doc?”

This isn’t Dr. Stevens’s first rodeo, though, and he smiles, patting my shoulder with a neutral gesture that can be both reassuring and celebratory. “Congratulations, Rose!”

He exits the room, and I wipe the last of my tears away, getting control of myself. “I’m not sad, Nic. I’m excited and happy. It’s a girl! I’m having a girl!”

He wipes my tears once more, lowering to press a light kiss to my lips. “We’re having a baby girl.”