“Okay. Well, Lauren knows.”
“So does Rosie. Anyone else?”
I shook my head. “You’d rather we kept the circle small.”
“I would. Sure, everyone knows I asked Sean and probably assumes I’m working my way down a list of candidates. There will be enough pressure as it is in trying to conceive. If too many people are aware of our enterprise, that may create unreasonable expectations all around.”
It made sense. The last thing I needed was my family or teammates sticking their noses in.
“And when we hit the jackpot?”
Her lips curved slightly. “So sure of yourself.”
“You bet I am. This is going to work.”
She inhaled a deep breath. “We would have to wait until the twelve-week mark before any announcements. How good are you at keeping secrets?”
“Terrible. But I won’t let you down, Doc.”
Chapter Fourteen
Franky
* * *
It doesn’t matter what you look like. This is not a date.
Then why couldn’t I stop looking in the mirror?
I appeared worried instead of excited. I might be pregnant within hours—okay, days—so I should be thrilled at the prospect. But the prospect happened to involve Jason Isner.
I had tried with Sean. Charles, too. A few days ago, I called him in London and made my request. He declined, and part of me was oddly relieved. He was nice about it, even regretful, but he said the world was too messed up to bring more children into it. I agreed on the first part but not the second. Children would make it better. How else could we fix the world without imparting values to the next generation?
Meanwhile, my options were shrinking along with the viability of my eggs. Two refusals, my hormones screaming. I had a genuine, hand-to-God offer to help me conceive a child. I would be a fool not to take it.
Jason had signed the contract with its amendments quite quickly, which meant he recognized the urgency. An old maid, getting older by the second, my chances at conception diminishing with every moment I hesitated. This could be my last shot, though it wouldn’t be Jason’s. He could impregnate anyone.
So why had he chosen me?
Because I did feel like I was chosen. The geek blessed by the star quarterback with a quick fumble behind the bleachers. Jason had his pick of prospects, while I had my rapidly shrinking candidate list and fading chances of getting pregnant.
I threw open the door.
He looked far too handsome. Hair still damp from a shower. A navy-blue Henley highlighting his chest and arm muscles. Faded, threadbare jeans completing the casual yet irresistible ensemble.
I had made no effort apart from exchanging my bathrobe for a LU sweatshirt over leggings. Because this was not a date.
“Hello. Come in.”
He walked by me, and I got the scent of danger. Okay, sandalwood and musk cologne, but danger all the same.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“How am I feeling?”
“Yeah. You nervous? Weirded out? Regretting your life choices up until now?”
It was nice of him to acknowledge the oddness of the situation. “A little anxious. I want it to work.”
