He doesn’t speak for a long while as his shadow looms over me.
Everything in me wants to shrink back, away from that look that I can’t put into words. But this is my apartment and we’re discussing my body, my life, and the life growing inside of me.
I won’t back down even if my words bruise his ego a little bit. In the end, he’ll likely walk away because me and this baby will cramp Travis’ style.
“I’m going to say this one time,” he finally speaks.
“We don’t know each other. That much is true, because if you did know me at all, you’d know there is no scenario on this Earth in which I’d allow you to be pregnant with my child, and I’m not there every step of the way.”
He moves closer.
After opening and closing my mouth a few times, I reply, “Given your lifestyle,”as an athlete, nonetheless, “you probably don’t have time.”
A muscle in his jaw ticks.
“Here’s lesson number one about me,” he replies. “I don’t like when other people make judgements about what I can or can’t do.”
“That’s easier said than done,” I throw back.
“If I say it, then it’s as good as done. I’m in this now,” he asserts before leaning in, taking my chin into his hand.
Staring into those eyes that threaten to steal away all of my common sense, I swear I feel a nudging inside of my chest. Something that’s been locked up tight for years begins to loosen, expand.
“Now, tell me why at eight weeks pregnant you were working on your feet all night.”
CHAPTER 10
Travis
“Are you still in the city?” my agent, Norm, asks as I pace back and forth in the limited space of Alyssia’s living room.
I turn my head left and right to unkink the damn knot in my neck from sleeping on her couch last night.
She can’t continue living here.I think as I sweep my gaze around the room again.
It’s early but I’ve been on the phone for a couple of hours before Norm called.
Originally Alyssia’s doctor was unable to get her in before Tuesday, but I took it upon myself to make a few phone calls.
Unsurprisingly, her doctor’s schedule opened up. We now have an appointment at ten o’clock this morning.
“I’m here.”
“Good.” Norm blows out a breath. “Once you disappeared last night, I thought you’d flown back home early. I know being in the city isn’t your favorite. And it was your first appearance since?—”
“I’m not thinking about that right now,” I snap at Norm.
A beat passes.
“Did you get a chance to meet Charlotte from that brand we talked about, last night?”
My mind goes back to the plethora of people I met the night before. Charlotte, from a watch brand Norm is trying to sign for me, comes to mind. Some boring conversation over baked chicken about how I would fit in with their legacy watch brand.
“You know, we might be able to get a joint deal for you and your father,” Norm continues. “Charlotte seemed interested when I floated the idea past her.”
“You spoke to her about my father?” I ask, tuning back into the conversation.
“She was all over it.” His voice becomes animated, and I can imagine the dollar signs in his eyes.
