“What same thing?”
“Keeping him at arms’ length.”
“We’re, you know, getting to know one another for the sake of the baby.”
“Nonsense.”
She recounts all of the things he’s done for me since finding out I was pregnant.
“Some men go above and beyond for their kids.”
Kandace pushes out a frustrated breath. I can picture her squeezing her eyes shut, the way she does when she’s on the verge of having it with my shit.
“Alyssia, I love you, but I swear if you were standing in front of me right now …”
A grin splits my lips.
“Maybe there’s something there,” I finally say. “It could just be sexual tension though,” I quickly add. “I swear these hormone shifts are wild. Do you know how much a body changes during pregnancy?”
“I do, and don’t you dare try to change the subject.”
Busted.
This is one of the problems with having a best friend. They know you too damn well.
“Orrr,” Kandace eventually draws out.
“I don’t like that tone.”
She giggles. Now I know I’m not going to like what she’s going to say.
“Why don’t you allow yourself to experience what you’re feeling?”
“What are you talking about?” I ask despite the fact I’m pretty certain where this is going.
“You’re horny and you have a perfectly capable, hot baby daddy right there. I bet he’s waiting to service you.”
“Kandace!” I shout. “He’s not.”
“Why not? Unless he has someone else he’s getting it from.”
Her comment feels like a piercing to the heart. I plop back against my chair.
“He, uh …” What could I say? Travis and I never discussed dating or seeing anyone else.
I don’t have any official claim over him, and he is on the road a lot for work. Not to mention he’s gorgeous, accomplished, and the type of guy who uses humor to save a woman on the verge of a panic attack in an elevator.
In other words, he’s who ay reasonable woman would fall all over themselves to have a shot with.
“Alyssia?”
“What?” I blurt, having completely missed Kandace’s last comment.
“I asked what’s wrong with having sex with your baby daddy? You’ve done it before, and I’m presuming you enjoyed it. I mean, if he was a selfish lover and didn’t get you off, then?—”
“That wasn’t a problem,” I cut her off. “He was more than generous that night.” The note of reminiscence that fills my voice isn’t lost on me or on Kandace.
She squeals. “Good. Then let your pussy be a gateway to your heart.”
