“I wasn’t exactly thinking about kids at your age either, so I can understand that.” I nod.
“Maybe…if I found the right person, at the right time, it wouldn’t be so bad.” He smiles softly, nudging his shades up higher on his nose. “Paislee makes it seem pretty fun.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty cool.” I agree, nodding my head. “I seriously never thought it’d happen to me so—”
“Why not?” he asks.
I swallow deeply. I guess I never really talk about it. “Children have always felt pretty final to me. I mean, theyare—reallyfinal. And that used to scare the hell out of me.” I admit, honestly. “When I’m not sure about making decisions for my own life, how am I supposed to make decisions for someone else?...is how I used to think.”
His eyebrows raise. “I never would’ve guessed that answer from you.”
I laugh softly. “Yeah, why would you? It’s not like you really stuck around long enough to ask how I felt about it.”
Noah shakes his head, looking down at his ice cream cone. “You know that’s not what happened.”
“Really? You didn’t freak the hell out as soon as you found out?”
“Oh, no. I definitely freaked the hell out.” He smiles. Cocky as ever.
I shake my head, focusing back on Paislee, who looks like she’s drifting to sleep in her stroller.
“I just…wanted you to be happy,” Noah mutters softly.
My heart aches the moment the words leave his lips. He left forme?
“I can’t fucking believe you.” I look down at my shoes, unable to look him in the eyes. My anger pulses through me. “I wish we had talked about it. I wish you had stayed.”
“Well, we’re talking about it now.”
“Well, it’s too fucking late now,” I bite back, looking at him. “You left. I’ve moved on.”
As much as I want to let him in again, I can’t. I was an idiot then, trusting him so easily. I can’t let that happen again.
He looks like my words visibly push him back. “Have you really?”
“Excuse me?” a frail voice interrupts from behind.
I turn to see a sweet elderly woman, smiling graciously at us both.
“Yes?” I ask, trying to steady my breathing.
“May I please say hi to your little one?” She smiles.
I look over at Noah, whose eyebrows raise.
“Yeah, she’s just drifting off to sleep right now, but you can go ahead.” I shift the cover of her stroller back so the older lady can get a better view.
“Oh, what a precious little peach. What’s her name?” she asks, clasping her hands together.
“Paislee,” I answer.
“Beautiful name, for such a beautiful little girl,” she coos.
It warms my heart to see it.
“And you two are very lucky.” She adds. “Handsome fathers.”
I feel the blood drain from my face. My gaze shifts to Noah, who tilts his head at me, a cocky grin plastered on his face.
