His Heart Desires

CHAPTER 4

The door swung open, and before it even clicked shut, Chloe was already in Lila’s arms.

They hugged like sisters separated by an ocean. Long. Fierce. Grateful.

“You’re here,” Lila murmured into her shoulder.

Chloe pulled back just enough to look at her. “I missed you. So much.”

Lila took her in, the soft glow on Chloe’s skin, the subtle shine in her eyes, the way her hair fell in loose, effortless waves. “You’re glowing,” she teased, narrowing her eyes. “Wait, is that Darrell glow I’m seeing?”

Chloe let out a laugh and rolled her eyes. “Let me sit first before you start interrogating me.”

Lila chuckled and led the way into the living room. The scent of cinnamon rolls, fresh coffee, and lavender-scented candles made the apartment feel like a warm hug. Light streamed through sheer curtains, painting the walls in honeyed tones. On the coffee table sat a tray with two steaming mugs and a bowl of strawberries.

The girls sank into the wide, cushy couch, legs tucked under them like old times. The energy between them was electric and easy, the kind of friendship that never had to ask permission to restart where it left off.

“So,” Lila said, lifting her mug, “spill.”

Chloe grinned. “Darrell’s back. And this time, it feels... different. Like he’s here. Present. Focused.”

Lila raised a brow, clearly intrigued. “Mmm. I always liked him when he wasn’t being an emotionally unavailable CEO robot.”

Chloe laughed. “Well, the robot’s defrosted. He’s been warm, attentive, saying things I thought I’d never hear from him again.”

“You mean, like how he wants to marry you and have adorable little brown-eyed babies?”

“Lila!”

“I’m just saying,” Lila smirked, popping a strawberry into her mouth, “you two were always the couple. Even when things went quiet.”

Chloe’s smile softened. “He’s changed. And I think I have too.”

They fell into easy conversation, catching up on life, work, and memories that still made them giggle like teenagers. Chloe asked about Marcus, Lila’s boyfriend, and listened with fond amusement as Lila gushed.

“He surprised me with tickets to this jazz show last week,” Lila said, eyes bright. “Then, after, he took me to this rooftop garden he somehow found in the middle of downtown.”

Chloe rested her chin on her palm, smiling. “He sounds perfect.”

“He’s not perfect,” Lila said. “But he pays attention. That’s everything.”

As Lila sipped from her mug, Chloe reached for hers but paused.

A sharp, twisting nausea curled in her stomach, as sudden as a wave crashing over calm water. She blinked and sat back, pressing her hand lightly to her abdomen.

“You okay?” Lila asked, setting her mug down.

Chloe offered a tight smile. “Yeah. I probably just had too much coffee this morning. Or nerves.”

Lila tilted her head, unconvinced. “Sure?”

Chloe gave a nonchalant shrug and waved her hand. “Yeah, yeah. Keep talking. You were saying Marcus found a rooftop garden?”

But just as Lila opened her mouth to continue, Chloe’s stomach lurched again, more violently this time. Her hand flew to her mouth, and she bolted from the couch.

She barely made it to the bathroom.

Twice Is No Coincidence

Lila stood frozen at first, hearing the unmistakable sound of retching through the cracked door. Concern washed over her as she walked toward the hallway, pausing just outside the bathroom.

“Chloe?” she called gently.

A muffled voice replied, “I’m okay. Just… give me a second.”

Lila waited, biting her lip, glancing toward the living room where the cozy calm had been just moments ago.

Chloe emerged a minute later, pale and a little unsteady. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and tried to wave it off. “Sorry. That was… sudden.”

“Come on, sit,” Lila said, guiding her carefully back to the couch.

They didn’t speak right away. Chloe clutched her mug with both hands, not drinking. Lila watched her quietly, brow furrowed.

Then, it happened again. The nausea returned like a rogue tide. Chloe shot up and rushed to the bathroom for the second time, leaving Lila staring after her, worry now blooming into curiosity.

This wasn’t just bad coffee. And this wasn’t Chloe’s usual.

When Chloe returned the second time, looking even more pale and disoriented, Lila didn’t hesitate. She slipped into her bathroom and came back holding a small rectangular box.

Chloe blinked as Lila gently placed it on the coffee table between them.

“A pregnancy test?” Chloe asked, stunned.

“I’m not trying to jump to conclusions,” Lila said carefully, sitting beside her. “But I keep one in my cabinet just in case. You’ve been glowing. Then, suddenly nauseous. And twice in a row? Babe, maybe it’s time to rule something out.”

Chloe stared at the box like it was a bomb with a ticking clock.

“I’m on the pill,” she mumbled.

“Yeah, and I watch what I eat. Doesn’t mean I won’t reach for cupcakes at midnight,” Lila quipped, her tone soft but her gaze steady. “Just… check.”

The seconds stretched between them.

Chloe slowly reached for the test and turned it over in her hands. The weight of it is light in reality, crushing in meaning.

“Okay,” she whispered. Her voice trembled.

Lila squeezed her hand. “I’ll be right here.”

Chloe rose on unsteady legs and made her way to the bathroom.

Behind the door, time stood still.