I was too weird, too insular, too out there to hold the attention of a man, let alone one as conventional and normal as Jason. He had also made his position clear: he wasn’t interested in a relationship, either. At least, that was his mantra now. This man could get anyone—images of Miss Perky Texan Tits flooded my brain—so when he decided that was back on the table, that fatherhood wouldn’t block him from a truly fulfilling life, he would do it. And I would be happy for him. Because the man was my co-parent and now, my friend.
“So, we’re good?”
He blew out a breath. “We’re always good. There’s another gift.”
Right, something for me. This was a medium-sized box, and when I opened it, I was greeted by a black and white cushion with a cat face on it, Hello Kitty style.
“A cat cushion?”
“Turn it over.”
I did and found a cat … skull? It took me a moment.
“Schrodinger’s Cat? In cushion form?”
He shrugged, almost diffidently. “I saw it on Instagram and thought it was cute. For the science nerd in your life.”
That was me. Holy Superposition, Batman.
“I went as Schrodinger’s Cat at a Halloween party at Theo’s. The one before last.”
He grinned. “You wore a cardboard box and kept bumping into people with your sharp edges.”
A metaphor for my life. I couldn’t believe he’d remembered.
“I have one more gift,” he said.
“Jason! Let me give you something before I faint with embarrassment.”
“Alright. Better be good.”
As if I could compete with all this perfection. I headed to the tree and picked up a wrapped gift.
“I’m behind with wrapping all the others, but I bought this one a while ago.”
Unlike my calm approach, he ripped the paper off in seconds. He opened the lid of the box and stared at it.
“Francesca.” His voice was a low, sexy rumble. Almost reverently, he touched the front of the dark green T-shirt emblazoned with “Hockey Dad.” I thought it would go nicely with his eyes.
“I know we haven’t announced it yet, and I’d rather see the OB first before we do that. Just to make sure everything is okay.”
“In the meantime, I’ll wear it around the house.” He looked up at me, his eyes shiny with emotion. “It’s a great gift. Thank you.”
“There’s one more, underneath it. I can do plural gifts, too.”
Chuckling softly, he pulled the soft cotton aside. Holding up the onesie I had bought, he burst out laughing.
“Too right I did!” The onesie said, “Daddy slipped one past the goalie.” “I love it.”
My phone buzzed and I checked it quickly. It was a text from Violet.
I’ll be there in about ten minutes.
“That’s Violet, telling me she’s on her way. She’s giving me a ride to Dante and Cade’s for Christmas lunch.”
“Okay, I’d better be off.” He placed the box I’d given him in the shopping bag he brought, and I followed him to the door. “Sorry I wasn’t all that helpful with the gift wrapping. Just with the gift unwrapping.”
“No problem.” As I pulled his jacket from the coat hook, I noticed the cap of something familiar. “Is that an EpiPen in your pocket?”
