He nods. “So, let’s talk logistics. Have you been to the doctor?”
I shake my head, surprised he’s thinking through the steps that have to be taken after he just tried to offer me peanut butter and pickles.
“You’ll need prenatal vitamins.”
“I know. I am the woman.” My back goes up because who does he think he is to just tell me what I need?
“I’d like to go with you.” His voice softens a little.
“Is this your first time getting a woman pregnant?” I ask, since he seems to know the routine so well.
“Yes, I’m not the manwhore you like to think I am. And just so you know, I would have known the baby shirt was from you. I haven’t slept with anyone in Chicago but you.”
I blink back my surprise.
“Shocking, I know.” He crosses his arms, the onesie still dangling from his fingers.
“I feel like we should start over. I’m just…” I pause because Foster doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy you want to pour your heart out to, but he is the father of my baby. “I’m not used to relying on people. I’ve just never been someone’s first…” I let my words drift off, but he waits for me to finish. “I have hang-ups too, but it’s no excuse.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but I raise my hand. “I’m truly sorry for barging in here and leaving a bomb on your bed when I should’ve just asked to meet you for coffee. I should have talked it out with you. It was extremely selfish of me to assume you wouldn’t want to be a part of this, and it was judgmental as well. I am sorry.”
He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. My stomach sours. This is not how I wanted our co-parenting journey to start off.
“Have you eaten?” he asks.
I shake my head.
“Want to order takeout and talk it out?” I’m not sure of the look that crosses my face, but he chuckles. “You’re used to being disappointed by people, and I’m used to being underestimated. How about we make a deal not to pick at the scabs other people have left behind?”
I don’t know much about Foster’s life, only bits and pieces, but if he feels the same about being underestimated as I do about being disappointed, I don’t want to inflict that pain on him.
I nod. “Deal.”
He pulls out his phone. “What are you craving?”
I shake my head, and he peeks up at me with a raised eyebrow. “Not peanut butter and pickles.”
“But what?”
“Guacamole and chips. Pretty much all Mexican food.”
He grabs some waters from the fridge and waves me into his living room. “Take your shoes off and stay a while.”
I slip out of my shoes again, and my phone vibrates in my back pocket on my way over to the couch.
Leighton: Okay, I’ve been a good girl and waited really patiently. When do I get my reward?
I’m with him now. We’re going to talk it out.
How many flights of stairs did you have to walk up to reach him?
I giggle.
Wouldn’t you like to know?
YES. YES, I would like to know. And you’re gonna have to tell me who it is so I know if I have to tie Hayes down before you tell him.
Keep your kinky sex games to yourself. I’ll be over tomorrow.
