Well, nowthatI do believe. “Well, it’s your lucky day. There’s no fucking way,” I point to her stomach, “thatis mine.”
She gasps as her face morphs from a scowl to shock.
I don’t wait for her to respond. Instead, I stomp past all the gawkers until I’m out the door. When I spot my truck, I jog over to it, slide in, and start it up. I can’t get the fuck out of EZ’s parking lot fast enough. Tearing out of the gravel lot, I gun the gas, kicking up rock and snow in my wake. I’m a mile away before I’ve even taken a breath.
7
Maggy
“Well, that went better than expected,”Robin says, patting my arm. “The important thing is you told him. Now, you can go about your life without worrying about him.”
“Worry about him?” I squeak. I’m doing my best to hold my shit together until we’re out of EZ’s. It hasn’t been easy. No pun intended. “Why the hell would I worry about that jerk?” The fact that I spent the last three Saturday nights at EZ’s waiting on Nate to show is a testament to how dedicated I was to telling him about this—his child. While this didn’t turn out the way I’d hoped, Robin’s right, now he knows. I did my duty, and I can move on with my life. One thing is certain, I’m happy I don’t have to spend another night sitting at the bar drinking apple juice waiting on that—that man.
Crap. This sucks.
I sniffle, doing my best not to let Robin see how upset I really am. Luckily, the parking lot is dark.
“Look. You stay with Venom. I’m going home. I’m exhausted.” Apparently, that’s what happens when you’re pregnant. You get sick a lot and all you want to do is sleep. And eat. Let’s not forget the eating. And since I’m nearly three months along now, the sick part of my pregnancy journey seems to be waning. Now, it’s just fatigue. And the eating.
“You sure?” she asks looking concerned.
Giving her a smile, a fake one, I slide my arms around her and give her the hug she deserves. “Positive. Go be with your man. I’m fine.”
Not.
“Okay.” She returns my smile. “Talk to you tomorrow?”
“Sure.” I take a step, then look back at her. “Thanks, Robin.”
“Anytime.”
In my car, I slide the key into the ignition, and the second it starts, so do the tears. This night was a disaster and one that was three weeks in the making. That’s right, I’ve been coming to EZ’s every weekend since I found out about the baby. Well, since the doctor confirmed I was pregnant. Luckily, Robin and Gus were already regulars at the place, so I didn’t have to go alone. I was tempted to go to his apartment, but I didn’t feel like that was a good idea, especially since the place has a doorman. I’m not sure how I would have made it past the front door. At least at EZs, we were on neutral ground, sort of.
“Shit.” I wipe off my face and check it in the mirror. Yep, raccoon eyes. I knew I shouldn’t have worn any makeup, but Robin insisted I do something to my face, since I’ve been looking pale lately. Part of me wanted to look nice for him. I have no idea why, because the man is the biggest asshole I’ve ever met, and believe me when I say I’ve known some really big assholes in my life.
But this guy, he’s a next-level jerk. He wouldn’t even listen to me. I don’t know anything about vasectomies, but that waitress must be right, because there’s no other man who could have impregnated me.
Pulling up to a stop light, I rest my head back and squeeze my eyes shut. “The look on his face when I told him I was pregnant.” I may never forget that expression and the way he pointed at my stomach and declared, “There’s no fucking waythatis mine.” He practically spit out the words like he was disgusted at the notion. And let’s not forget he accused me of lying about him being the father of this baby.
Well, I’ve got news for Nate Black. I don’t need him.Wedon’t need him. Placing my palm on my belly, I talk to the little life inside me. “No worries. I’ve got you.” And I do. Women have been raising kids alone for thousands of years. I’m strong. I’m capable. “We’ve got each other.” And Robin. We’ve also got Robin. “We’re lucky.” And I mean that.
* * *
Two weeks later…
I hearthe bell above the door chime. “Welcome to Bloom’s,” I shout from the back room. “Be right with you.” I’ve been scrambling to get these orders done all morning, but thanks to a ton of walk-in customers and even more phone orders, I’m behind. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and believe me when I tell you, this particular holiday makes people bat-shit crazy. At least as it relates to flowers. That’s why I’m at the shop alone. Robin had to run out to our distributer to get more red roses. We’ve sold more this year than any other. I guess it’s good, except for the fact we’re shorthanded.
I quickly finish the simple arrangement of red and yellow roses and slide it into the fridge. As I round the corner to the front of the store, I lift my apron and wipe the water off my hands. “Hi there. Sorry about that.” I sigh. “How can I—” That’s when I look up and see him. Nate Black. Standing near our display of chocolates.
What is he doing here?
“Nate.” I can’t think of anything else to say because the man looks—well, good. Okay, good isn’t enough. He looks fucking gorgeous in a pair of charcoal-gray dress pants, a blue button-down shirt, and a matching suit jacket. No tie, which is a little disappointing because I bet Nate Black looks even more spectacular in a tie.
So, Nate Black has a job that requires a suit? I guess that’s a dumb question, because I know practically nothing about the man. Well, except his vasectomy didn’t take and he’s a cranky bastard. I know those two things. Oh, and he’s great in bed. There’s that. But, in terms of important things like what he does for a living and why he’s an asshole all the time—well, those things are still a mystery.
“Maggy.” I guess it’s good he knows my name, at least.
I might as well cut to the chase because I’m busy. Really busy. “What do you want?”
