“I’m so glad you’re not just pretty,” I quip, using humor to get off the fact that I might have indeed been a tad jealous. “But yes,I think for the time being, both of us should avoid dating. Other peopleandeach other.”
I don’t wait to see his reaction to that, turning on my heel and toward his car.
That urge to run is present, making me want to avoid talking about something I know we should be talking about. Especially with the memory his car brings hitting me like a pound of bricks as I approach it.
I go to open the passenger door, when he slams it closed. I twist to look at him, and notice that his hand is still on the window, allowing him to lean over me.
“Can I get in the car?”
“If this is going to work between us, then we need to be able to communicate. Talk to me and tell me why you said that,” he demands softly.
My brain struggles to function when he’s leaning over me like this, so I step out from under him.
“We briefly talked about this at dinner, but I want what’s best for our baby. I don’t want things to get complicated and ruin our chance at a family. Besides, the last thing I want is someone being with me because of pity or a sense of obligation. We don’t know each other. Hell, we could hate each other and we don’t even know it yet.”
“We seemed to fuck pretty well, so I don’t think we’ll have a problem getting along,” he says in this deep yet smooth voice that makes my nipples stiffen. Usually, I’m the one who says bold shit, and every time he gives it back to me, it draws me to him.
I rub my barely there belly over my sweater. “Clearly. Now, can I open my door so we can get going, please?”
“Ask and you shall receive,” he teases as he opens the door and I shake my head as I pass him. Of course he’d open it for me instead.
I curse under my breath before he gets in the car because my baby daddy happens to be the hottest man alive. Plus, he’s got apersonality that I don’t entirely loathe. It’s a jarring mix, and I need to keep my head on straight. I have goals, not only for the baby but forme.
“I think we need rules,” I say, needing clear boundaries.
“I agree. Let’s make a co-parenting pact,” he suggests.
“To start, no holding hands or touching in general. Exceptions will be made if you’d like to touch my belly,” I begin, knowing that touch is going to be important for him as he begins to bond with the baby from the outside.
“Sounds fair,” he replies with ease and adds, “I’d like that we be in contact daily as best as we can. Since we’re both busy with our jobs and don’t live together, I’d like to know that you’re both doing well or any updates you have. And I want to be aware of every appointment, because I’m going to do my best to be there.”
“I can do that. And rule number three, we make decisions for the baby together. Where they will go to school, how we’re going to split holidays, all that kind of stuff.”
“Makes sense. Anything else?”
I tap my fingers against my chin in thought. “Nope, not that I can think of.”
“That was fairly easy,” he remarks as he starts the car.
“No one’s ever consideredmeeasy to deal with,” I chirp playfully, happy that we set ground rules.
Because there’s no way in hell I’m letting a man distract me.
Especially one who is officially off-limits.
Chapter 17
Quentin
There are a lot of moments I’ve been nervous for in my life.
When Camille nearly got us caught while we were drinking underage when we lived back home. Our parents would’ve lost their minds had they found out, despite it being socially common among teenagers.
Or when I decided to leave said home for good. When I was nearly finished pitching my first no-hitter, because one mistake would ruin it all.
Right now, though, I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous as I am.
Teagan’s on the table, waiting quietly as we’re about to see our baby together for the first time. Looking at the sonogram was an impactful moment in itself. The last time I went through this, thinking I was having a baby, my happiness was pulled out from underneath me faster than I could imagine when I discovered that it was all a lie. So to now seemybaby, my actual child in a photo is nearly an indescribable feeling. It feels all-encompassing, like everything I thought I loved before pales in comparison to the tiny blueberry in that photo. And knowing we’re moments away fromseeing Blueberry growing and their heart beating has me more excited for this than anything else in my life.
