I clutch the pillow he slept on last night to my chest and bury my face in it, engulfing myself in his scent.

I was half-asleep when he left this morning, but the skin on my forehead still tingles in the spot where he kissed me. The warmth of his hand where he slept with it pressed to my belly all night lingers like a shield protecting our precious cargo. And the memory of his whispered, “See you in a few days,” to our little one has been running through my head nonstop.

Yep, I’ve got it bad…

“Intruder alert! Intruder alert!”

“Maui!” I screech, laughing at the obnoxious green and yellow parrot running back and forth along his perch like a guard dog.

“Keep it up, asshole,” Darci warns, wagging a finger at his cage as she slips into the room. “I’ll throw you on the pit, and we’ll have grilled ringneck for dinner!”

“I’m a demigod,” he announces, proudly fluffing out his feathers.

“You’re a jerk’s what you are.”

“Stop it,” I growl, crawling to the foot of my bed where I can get to his cage and let him out. “You’re gonna have him saying all kinds of not-nice things.”

“Not nice,” he chirps, stepping up onto my finger. “Not nice, bird.”

“You’re so right. Darci is not a nice bird.” I place him on my shoulder and turn to face him. “Gimme a kiss,” I say, puckering my lips.

He presses his little orange beak to my mouth and makes a loud kissing nose. “Thank you, baby,” he responds, as is our usual routine.

“I love you,” I say, giving his noggin a few smooches.

“Ugh, get a room,” my best friend groans with an exaggerated eyeroll.

“I have one…you’re in it.”

“Oh, yeah.” She pulls out my desk chair and plops her ass down, apparently intent on sticking around.

“Can I help you?” I ask, but it’s just a formality. There is no mistaking the way she’s frothing at the mouth for the tea.

“Girl, you know I need details.” She rocks back in the chair, crossing one leg over the other, making herself nice and comfy.

I expel a long, dreamy sigh. “Gosh. I don’t even know where to begin.”

“His package,” she encourages. “Start there.”

I flush from the tops of my breasts all the way up to my cheeks. “Huge.”

She nods. “I knew it. That dude gives off some major big dick energy.”

You have no idea… “It’s uhh… It’s pierced.”

“What?” she shrieks, before leaning in close. “I’ve always wanted to fuck a pierced dude. How was it?”

“Hold the fucking phone, bitches,” Margo hollers, storming down the hall from her room to mine. “I know y’all were not about to have this conversation without me.” Her usually pale cheeks are a rosy hue in her righteous indignation.