Land of the Leylines: A Cozy Fantasy (Friendly Neighborhood Wizard Book 3) by SmilingSatyr

Author:SmilingSatyr [SmilingSatyr]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Published: 2025-02-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 32

Darlene’s Dreaded Dinner Date

Do we have to?” Darlene asked as if it hadn’t been her idea.

“Pretty sure we do,” said Wil from the bed. He pulled on one sock, then the other. “You were excited for the opportunity a week ago.”

Darlene groaned and lowered herself onto the mattress next to him. When she’d first moved in to watch after the place while Wil was gone, she’d taken one of the extra rooms as hers. Now Wil found himself sleeping in there most nights, even if most of his stuff remained in his bedroom tower.

The room reflected Darlene’s tastes, full of bold, bright colors painted on the wall in abstract designs, while every piece of furniture, from the big bed to the dresser and bookshelf all were in the only places they could be. It was neat, clean, and casually stylish. The more time Wil spent in there, the more he realized how much he wanted her to do the other rooms and bring some life to his—their home.

“That was a week ago,” she said. “It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I don’t want to. I’m pregnant and cranky, you have to cater to my whims.” She laid down behind him, and Wil could hear the pout without seeing it.

“Pretty sure each time I’ve tried to start something by noting your pregnancy, I’ve gotten fussed at. This seems like a bit of a double standard, to be honest. You’re not scared, are you?” Wil continued to get ready. He pulled on his rarely worn dress shoes and tied them tight.

“No, not really.” Darlene sighed. “Not of either of them, anyway. Maybe I am scared of what we’ve never had, what I’ll never get. That it’ll hurt when nothing changes.”

Wil nodded in understanding. He lay facing her. Luckily, she was too focused on their upcoming plans to tell him to get his shoes off her bed. “Then I think the best thing you can do is to not try to cling to the past. I see how much this hurts you and has always hurt you. Maybe don’t focus on what you don’t have but what you could have, if you give it a chance.”

Darlene grumbled, but visibly relaxed. “You know,” she said, none of the playful petulance to be found, “you’re going to make a good dad.”

Wil’s heart skipped a beat. “I hope so,” he said. His eyes flitted down to her stomach. They’d spent so much time working on their experiments and projects, and he’d been grateful for it. The more exhausted he was, the less time he had to think about the future and how unprepared he was for it.

Sure, he’d read some basic books, but no book could ever prepare him for the gravity that would come from being responsible for a new life. Darlene didn’t seem any more ready than he was, but it was different. She was sharp, driven, and always had a good idea how to approach any given situation.

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