“True. But maybe you and Franky might?—”
“That won’t be happening.” She had made it very clear, and I wasn’t going to push those boundaries. This torrent of speculation about why we had agreed to this arrangement only laid bare what I couldn’t have. I needed to nip it in the bud.
“The Jock and the Nerd are not a thing,” I added.
If I said it enough, maybe I could make myself believe it.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Franky
* * *
Summer was positively giddy at my news.
“Franky, you look amazing! That sweater is so cute and the perfect fit to accentuate that bump.”
“Not really my intention but Rosie said I should wear it. Make a big splash.”
I slid a look at my sister, who had called me yesterday and insisted I come to Chicago for Theo’s party. For a good twelve hours, I weighed the decision and because I was leaning toward no, I hadn’t included Jason in the process. But my sister was persuasive.
This way, everyone finds out at once. You rip off the Band-Aid, accept heartfelt congrats from everyone in the hockey universe, and then fly back to Boston. The perfect heist.
So I used my miles for a last-minute ticket and here I was, four months gone, and the center of attention. I was not a fan.
“I’m so pleased for you,” Summer said. “Hatch looked just as surprised, which is good because if he had known and I hadn’t, we would be having words right now.”
“We’ve shared with family only. I told my parents and brother a week ago because it would be a bit much to blindside them.”
“They must be thrilled,” Summer said.
“Oh, they are.” I met her reflection in the mirror. “I suppose you want to know how this all happened.”
Rosie chuckled. “I think we all know how it happened. What people want to know is the who, sis. But you don’t have to say anything.”
“It’s okay. The father doesn’t mind being identified, especially as we’ve agreed to co-parent.”
Summer leaned in.
“It’s Jason.”
Her violet eyes widened. “Oh! Did not expect that. I thought you two weren’t very friendly.”
“We’re not. Or weren’t.”
Rosie cut in. “But they got friendly enough to make the magic happen.”
“And the co-parenting thing? How’s that going to work?”
“We have a contract.” That sounded cold and sterile, the complete opposite to how Jason and I worked together. “We want the best for our child.”
Summer hugged me. “I so want to be you when I grow up, the woman who decides what she wants and goes for it.” She grinned. “Not so temperamentally unsuitable after all.”
I had once showed my spreadsheet to Summer with all its damning notes and variables. That seemed like a lifetime ago.
“I’ve become more open as I grow older. Being too rigid about things means you might miss out on something amazing.”
“Ah, the wisdom of our elders.” Rosie threw an arm around my shoulder. “You ready to meet everyone as a pregnant lady?”
