I turned back to the small group of students and researchers. “Okay, where were we?”
Melissa and Sean had invited me over to their apartment in the Back Bay—Melissa had moved in right after the holidays—and we’d had a lovely meal of pumpkin soup, chicken pesto pasta (nut free), and garlic bread. Now that Sean knew about the pregnancy, we were having a good laugh about my original “special” request.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
A blushing Sean gazed in adoration at Melissa, who was all agog at the situation. “It was a delicate time. You and I had just reconnected, so that kind of complication might have scared you off.”
“I like to think I’m made of sterner stuff.” She sent a grin my way. Melissa and I had hit it off immediately, which was unusual because people had a hard time warming up to me. “Just think, I could have been having dinner with my boyfriend’s baby mama. You’ve denied me a great cocktail party story.”
Sean reached over to cover Melissa’s hand. “Sorry, honey. Next time someone asks me to be a sperm donor, I’ll consider the future entertainment value.”
Melissa chuckled, then turned to me. “Sorry, I don’t mean to make fun.”
“Not at all. I did ambush him and I so wish I’d recorded it. His face was priceless.”
“Oh, I bet!” She jumped up from the table. “Time for the peach cobbler. Vanilla ice cream for everyone?”
“Yes!” both Sean and I said in unison.
With Melissa in the kitchen, the mood turned a little more reserved. She was a bubbly individual, the kind of person who brightened every room she entered. I thought it interesting how well the two of them balanced each other. “My Seven lifts the spirit of his Six,” Melissa had said. While I didn’t completely buy into the pseudoscience around Enneagram personality types, I recognized that some people just fit together.
Sean was still digesting the reveal of my baby’s father, and now that Melissa was occupied, I could tell he wanted to analyze it further.
“When Jason told me, I couldn’t believe it. Still can’t, to be honest.”
“I know, it seems like a strange choice.”
“Maybe not so strange. Jason’s always wanted kids. I didn’t know about your baby fever, but it’s been on his radar for years.”
“So, why hasn’t it happened? Many men his age are already married with families.” Now that Sean knew, I felt safe asking for more in-depth knowledge about his brother.
“I think he’s worried he’ll turn out like Dad.”
“But he has so many stronger male influences in his life. You, Theo, his teammates. And he’s such a family-oriented person.”
“It’s because he could be traded in an instant,” Melissa said as she placed the peach cobbler down before me. The scent of sweet fruit and fragrant biscuit crust filled the air. “He was, what, ten years with the Cougars? He could have settled down here, but he didn’t.”
Sorry, but that explained nothing. “Again, plenty of pro athletes marry and start families with the risk of trade hanging over their heads.” My dad did, though I’m not sure he would have married Mom if she hadn’t become pregnant with Cat. As new parents, barely twenty years old, the relationship was doomed from the start.
Sean picked up his spoon. “I think he hasn’t committed to anyone because he saw what Theo had and wanted the same. He wanted it to be perfect. Now that he’s getting older, he’s?—”
“Not so fussy?” I offered.
“That’s not what I meant.” He sent a guilty look my way.
“It’s okay. I understand what you’re saying. Life is a series of compromises.” Jason and I both saw an opportunity with each other that would have once seemed extremely improbable.
Sean considered that. “Are you regretting your choice?”
“Not at all. Everything I learn about Jason assures me he’s going to be a great dad. I would just hate for him to regret choosing me.”
“He doesn’t.” Sean broke up his cobbler with his spoon. “He’s very invested. Calls me every day to ask after you.”
“As long as the boundaries are clear,” Melissa said airily.
“What boundaries?” Sean asked. I was glad he did so I didn’t have to.
“Well, you’re co-parents but not …” She waved to intimate the rest.
