“Yes, and you.” He looks me in the eye. My pulse rate irrationally soars. “I know you didn’t sign up to have a father in the picture, but here I am. And, well, here I’m going to stay.” He leans forward. “I don’t want to impose on you, and I’m not saying I should see them every day, but I want to be as much a part of the children’s lives as you’ll let me be.”
I don’t really know what to say, so I don’t say anything.
“The other night you mentioned the possibility of me leasing Brooke’s house.” He pauses as the waiter brings us iced teas. “I went by the hospital and talked to Margaret about it this morning.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Wow. You didn’t waste any time.”
“I don’t have a lot of time. The new owners take possession of my condo in three weeks.”
“What did Margaret say?”
“She loved the idea.” Zack smiles. “She’s more than happy to lease it to me, fully furnished, for nine months. After that, well, we’ll see.”
“Wow,” I say, trying to process what this means.
“This way I’ll just be two blocks away. With Margaret and Lily living with you and a baby on the way, you’re likely to need some help.”
The concept thrills me. But wait—it shouldn’t, should it? All my internal alarm systems should be flashing red. This is not taking things slowly as Sarah advised! “I’m planning on hiring some help when the baby comes,” I tell him. “Brooke had a nanny who stayed with Lily while she was at work, and I plan to do the same thing. And Margaret will have a home nurse with her for much of the day, at least at first.”
“Great. And I’ll be nearby for backup.”
My expression must give away my worries.
His brow furrows. “This was your suggestion, but you look kind of upset. Did you change your mind about it?”
No. Yes! I don’t want to become too accustomed to you.“I, um, just don’t want Lily to become dependent on you,” I say, because it seems to cite Lily.
“Why not? I’m not going anywhere,” he says. “I’m staying in New Orleans, and I’ll be in her life from here on out. And the baby’s, too. I think this is a win-win situation.”
For everyone but me. What if I get too attached to him, and he gets involved with someone else and leaves?
Or, even worse—what if he gets involved with someone else, and doesn’t? My stomach sinks at the thought.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Quinn.” He places his hand over mine on the table. “I’m not going to abandon Lily or the baby.”
I both love and hate that he gets me. It’s great to have someone who understands; it’s terrifying that it’s the man I’m falling for.
Oh, God—am I falling for Zack?
I force myself to smile. “You’re right. I’m probably being paranoid. If you’re going to be here, well, you might as well be nearby. But we need to talk to Lily and make sure she’s okay with you living in her old house.”
“Sure.” He nods. “And while we’re on the subject of me helping out, I want to help you with expenses, too.”
I balk at the idea. I don’t want him to have that kind of sway over me. “There’s no need. Brooke set up a generous monthly trust fund to pay for Lily’s care.”
“Yes, but what about the baby? You said you’re planning to hire a nanny.”
“I’ve budgeted for that,” I say. “I planned on being a single mother.”
“And you still will be. That’s no reason for me not to help.”
My feelings are too confused to sort through this issue at the moment. “Let’s talk about this later,” I say.
“Okay. Sure. No rush.” He gives me a smile. “There’s one other matter I need to discuss with you, and then I’ll be done with serious topics.”
I brace myself.
“My sister warned me against being the good-time parent. She said Lily needs to do chores and errands and everyday boring things with me as well as fun stuff.”
