Sweet Hope

I couldn’t help but laugh as I hugged him back.

Rome planted me on the floor, and I kissed him on his cheek. “Hello to you too, Mr QB Almighty!”

Rome rolled his eyes and moved past me to grab my luggage. I followed him into the house. My eyes widened as I drank in the foyer, because that’s all it could be described as, a foyer. The place was enormous.

“Rome—” I went to say, when I was cut off.

“Ridiculous, isn’t it?”

My head turned to the sweeping staircase. Molly Prince was walking down, dressed in a long empire-waist sleeveless purple summer dress. Her long brown hair lay on her shoulders and her pretty face wore a happy smile.

“Molls!” I shouted in excitement and, as Molly descended onto the last step, I wrapped her up in my arms. She immediately hugged me back. “I’ve missed you!” I confessed, and let her go so we could walk back into the foyer.

“I’ve missed you too, sweetie,” Molly said, squeezing my hand, only to let go when Rome reached out and pulled her to his chest, his arms wrapping around her shoulders from behind. Molly’s hands lifted to hold his arms, and that look they both had when they were with each other drifted across their faces.

An ache momentarily stabbed at my chest. Looking at how happy they were only emphasized how lonely I felt. Working all the hours God sends could be a good distraction, but as much as I adored my job, it could never replace that heart-stopping, bolt of lightning love I so desperately craved.

“Come on. Let’s go and get a drink!” I said cheerily, fighting back my moment of sadness, and let Rome and Molly lead the way to their white country-style kitchen.

Molly must have seen me gaping at the opulence of the room and blushed. “It’s too much, isn’t it?”

My attention was drawn to my timid friend and her embarrassed expression. “Not at all, darlin’. It’s beautiful.”

Molly joined me in looking around the room. I adored that she still found it uncomfortable having money. I didn’t think she’d ever get used to it. But I couldn’t help but think it was an adorable trait to possess.

“She fought me on buying this place, but I wanted somewhere safe for us to live… somewhere for us to start a family,” Rome stated.

Molly’s eyes, which had been fixed on the table, then shot to her husband’s and began to fill with tears.

Rome lifted Molly’s hand to his lips. I felt like an intruder on their private and meaningful moment. Molly appeared to shake herself to and cast me a ghost of a smile. “Ally, you must be thirsty. Can I get you a drink?”

“Don’t worry, darlin’. I got it covered!” I declared excitedly and ran to my carry-on and pulled out the bottle of champagne I’d bought en route to their house.

As I looked up, Molly had turned green and was rushing out of the room. “I… I’m… I’ll be back in a moment!” Molly ran out into the hallway. I stood in the middle of the kitchen, eyebrows pulled down.

I turned to face Rome, who was fidgeting on his seat. “She okay, honey?” I asked. “She looked like she was gonna puke.”

Rome’s eyes tracked the direction Molly had gone. “She’s fine.” I could see the concern on his face. But Rome had always been all serious and possessive of Molly. His need to keep her safe and cared for stood above anything else in his life.

Feeling awkward at the silence that immediately followed, I asked, “Where are your champagne flutes?”

Rome snapped out of his worry and walked to a cupboard. Reaching up, he pulled out two champagne glasses and set them on the table as I popped the cork. When I went to pour, I stilled.

“Rome, you forgot one. There’s only two here.”

Rome stiffened beside me, and when I looked up, his eyes were facing the direction Molly had gone. My eyes narrowed, and I nudged him with my elbow. “Hey, cuz! You with me?”

Rome flicked his head to me and ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, sorry, Al.”

“What’s up?” I asked. “‘Cause y’all are acting real strange.”

I stared down at the two champagne glasses and I let out an excited gasp. “Why isn’t she drinking?”

Rome opened his mouth, but...

“I’m pregnant.” Molly’s quiet voice carried from the entranceway to where I stood. Both Rome and I quickly turned our heads to face her. She was pale, and I could tell she’d just vomited.

The air whooshed from my lungs and my hand flew over my mouth. Molly edged forward, and her lip curled in happiness. “I’m sixteen weeks gone…” She looked at Rome and tears of happiness filled her eyes. “Can you believe it? We’re pregnant again!”