“You didn’t have to buy me anything.” She tilted her chin up. “I can afford it, you know.”
He sighed. “This isn’t going to be a big deal, is it? It’s just a dress.”
“And earrings.”
“So? I plan to strip the dress off you at some point. It’s more a present for me, really.” He nodded to more stores. “Now, where to next?”
She gave in and took him to a baby store, where they selected a stuffed owl and some neutral-colored onesies for the baby.
“Do you think Julie will want to learn the baby’s sex?” she asked as they left.
“Probably. Julie likes to know what’s what. Dan too.”
They hit a bistro for lunch and ordered sandwiches and drinks. Jack insisted on paying, despite her protests, and then they took their seats while they waited for their order to appear.
“I could have paid,” she said.
“Look, it’s my weekend. I’m in charge.”
“You lost your authority hours ago,” she reminded him.
“I know. So you should ease me back into being a normal guy by letting me do whatever I want.”
“I should, hmm?” She was such a sucker for that bright blue joy in his eyes. When he grew so animated and happy, she had a hard time refusing him anything.
“Yeah.” He sipped from his drink, watching her. “So…”
“Go ahead. Say what’s on your small, male mind.”
He laughed with her. “You’re so funny when you’re insulting. And everything about you is pretty.”
“Jack, stop. I’ll get a big ego if you keep flattering me.”
“Nah. You’ll shrug it off, like you do all my compliments.” He studied her from the top of her head to her toes hidden under the table. “Yep. I like the whole package.”
Unfortunately, she really liked him too. What to do about that?
“You had a point?” she prodded.
“Julie’s pregnant with her second. My mom’s on me to settle down, but I keep telling her I don’t have time. What about you? Ever thought about kids?”
She shrugged, keeping it casual and not trying to read too much into that segue. “Sure. I always figured I’d be a mom someday. But I’m only…” She did the math and felt her biological clock start ticking. “Well, I’ll be thirty next year.”
“Still young.” He nodded. “You have plenty of time to start a family.”
“I’d like to do it the old fashioned way. I know too many single moms having a hard time. I’d prefer to get married first. Then again, I’m sure my single friends did too.” She sighed. “It’s scary. Relationships don’t last anymore.” She looked at him, uncomfortable at the intensity in his eyes. “What?”
“So you’re off marriage altogether? Scared it will go bad so you quit the market?”
“I didn’t say that. It’s just… I need to take my time and not rush things. I don’t see a ring onyourfinger.” She stared pointedly at his bare left hand.
“True. But I’m not against marriage. I’d like to get married someday, have kids and a house.”
Her heart raced. “Oh? Ever proposed to anyone?”
“No.” He stared at her. “The one I wanted got away a long time ago.”
Did he mean her or some other woman from his past? As much as she wanted to know, she didn’t want to spoil the day either way. “Right. Well, enough of this marriage talk. Why don’t you tell me about your job?”
