Just as we get up, the door to the deli bursts open. Todd rushes in, wild-eyed. I start to turn away, but he sees me anyway. No! Talk about rotten luck!
“You have to talk to Chuck!” he screams, trotting toward me. “I can’t go to that God-forsaken Boston!”
Griffin steps forward, his body a shield. “You couldn’t get a job anywhere?”
Todd’s arms flail, maybe in appeal. It’s hard to tell because he looks more like a drowning man trying to find something to hold on to. “Sierra, don’t do anything hasty! This…man…isn’t like me!”
For once, I completely agree with Todd. “I know!”
“He treats people like disposable garbage!”
“Isn’t garbage supposed to be disposable?” Griffin says.
“His attitude will change when he finds out you’re infertile!” Todd yells. Literally everyone in the deli turns to stare.
I gasp. Griffin takes a menacing step forward, but I tug on his sleeve. “Let me,” I say. I’m not going to miss this chance.
His jaw tightens, but he nods, putting a protective arm around me.
“For your information, I’m not infertile. It’s you who’s shooting blanks.”
“What?” Todd looks lost.
“I’m pregnant,” I announce triumphantly.
Todd turns so pale, I wonder if he’s going to collapse. I hope he doesn’t expect me to catch him. This is what he deserves for the way he’s treated me.
“With my triplets,” Griffin puts in helpfully.
Todd is now redder than a child left out to play in the beach without sunblock.
“So why don’t you think about what that means, while you send out more résumés?” I say sweetly.
Todd looks at me, then at Griffin, then back at me. Then he covers his face and runs. One thing he can’t stand is having somebody cut his ego down, and to experience that in public will hopefully keep him away for a long, long time.
“Are you okay?” Griffin asks, his eyes searching my face.
“Oh, I’m fine.” I smile. “Better than fine.”
“Well, look at that. A barren boaster blaming the woman,” the deli owner says loudly with a snort. “Here, honey. Any cookie you want on the house.”
Other customers congratulate us, and I beam. “Thank you, thank you!” I say, waving at them. Is this my Oscar moment?
I pick out a chocolate chip cookie from the counter, then kiss Griffin. “See you soon.”