My phone buzzes.
Huxley: You realize I’m going to have to find a new driver now.
A hiccup of laughter pops out of me. This is the Huxley from Chipotle, from the sidewalk. This is the side of him I appreciate. The side of him I wish he would show way more often, because if he did, I’m certain we’d be friends.
Lottie: I’m pretty sure this conversation made my year. Also, I can run by the pharmacy tomorrow if you need more cream for your rash.
Huxley: If that’s how you want to play this, it’s on, Lottie. And remember, I’m relentless.
Lottie: I think you’ve met your match, Huxley Cane.
Chapter Thirteen
HUXLEY
“Huxley, Lottie, over here,” Ellie says, waving her hand while she balances on an exercise ball.
I squeeze Lottie’s hand and guide her over to the jubilant pregnant woman.
I was worried I’d be encroaching on Lottie’s day with this request, I wasn’t sure what she was doing, but she didn’t seem to mind. She actually seems to be in good spirits today, which is throwing me off. Still has an edge to her, but it seems as though that edge has been smoothed out—slightly.
Lottie turns distinctively into my shoulder and whispers, “She looks as if she just busted out of the insane asylum.”
I chuckle and assess Ellie. Bouncing far too high on the ball, wearing leggings and a sports bra, her hair swishing back and forth, while a giant, unfaltering grin is plastered to her face. Lottie isn’t wrong.
Just then, Dave comes up behind Ellie and settles her down with his hands to her shoulders. He spots me and waves. “So glad you guys could make it.”
We walk up to them and Ellie immediately takes Lottie into a hug, while Dave gives me a firm handshake.
“You will absolutely love Heaven,” Ellie says. “She’s the best in the business.”
“Heaven?” Lottie asks, confused.
I place my hand on Lottie’s lower back and say, “The prenatal teacher. Remember I was telling you about her in the car?”
I told her nothing. Because her text, I think you’ve met your match, inspired me. Rather than discussing today’s outing, I went into great detail about how if she’d actually attend the pedicures I’d set up for her, her crusty feet wouldn’t scrape across our beautiful hardwood floors. And the murderous look on Lottie’s face when I said we had to get a contractor to come in and check out a spot on the floor where she’d left a gash was priceless.
“Oh, yes, sorry.” She taps her head. “Pregnancy brain.” Turning to Ellie, she asks, “You’re sure it’s not too early for us to do something like this?”
Ellie waves off Lottie’s concerns. “I think the more you can learn and practice the better.”
“That’s what I told her in the car,” I say.
Lottie adds, “We do love education, don’t we, Hux?”
I look down at her. “We do. We really love education.”
“Then you’re in the right spot,” Dave says. “Pull up a yoga mat, a ball, and one of those pillows. We should be getting started soon.”
“Great.”
I head toward the wall when Lottie takes my hand in hers, reminding me to be affectionate in the moment. Together we work our way to the wall where all of the “supplies” are. Out of earshot, she whispers, “What the hell are we supposed to do with an exercise ball, yoga mat, and pillows? I’m not very bendy, Huxley. I’m very stiff, and when I squat, my knees crack. I might be twenty-eight, but my body acts like a seventy-five-year-old arthritic woman.”
“I don’t think there’s a lot of bending in this class.”
“Have you been to one of these before?”
I give her a look. “Do you think I’ve been to one of these before?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know what you do in your spare time.”
“Not this,” I almost hiss. I really need to start thinking before I react to situations, aka, don’t say yes to everything Dave asks. “I don’t think we’re going to be required to be professionals. This is our first time.”
“What if we have to imitate sexual positions?” She glances behind her back.
“Why the fuck would we have to do that?”
“I don’t know,” she whispers. “We’re in LA and we’re in a birthing class. They like granola things here. Hip and trendy things. What if this class isn’t about breathing but more about the journey, the process? You know, we did this whole story on Angeloop where they talked about unique birthing classes and how you had to share your entire journey with the class. What if this is one of those?”