I’m in trouble.
???
The dinner is delicious. Aidan and I have steak, Lucy has salmon, and Piper goes for a creamy pasta that looks amazing. Lucy and I both lighten up as the evening wears on and before we know it we’re sharing laughs and joking around just like we used to before.
After 9:00 pm the restaurant turns up the music and clears some tables to make a small dance floor to the left of the bar. Lucy and Piper are bouncing in their seats, nodding along to the music. It’s fast pop music, not really my thing as I’m more of a country guy, but I’m enjoying myself nonetheless since it’s clear that Lucy’s having fun. Eventually, Piper convinces her to get out on the dance floor and she agrees, pleased that her dinner appears to be staying put.
Aidan and I nurse whiskeys while we watch the girls dance. I’ve observed Lucy dancing a million times before–and she’s good at it–but now all I can focus on is the sensuous roll of her hips, the bounce of her tits, and the long smooth length of her neck as she throws her head back singing along to the words. I want to lick a stripe up that neck just like I did that night on the beach. I want to taste her sweat and the sweetness of her skin.
“You’re so fucked,” Aidan says.
I flinch, then sigh, unable to take my eyes off her. “I know.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“What can I do? We have to co-parent. I can’t let this get messy … and things with Lucy would undoubtedly be messy.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because … she’sLucy. She’s– she’s–” I sigh again. “She’samazing. But she’s also wild, and unpredictable, and my complete opposite in every way.”
“Opposites attract for a reason,” Aidan offers.
“Yeah, but do they last? I mean, does it work out for those couples long-term? Because I can’t take the risk when there’s a kid in the mix.” I shake my head sadly. “I just can’t. Besides, she doesn’t want me anyway, who could put up with my moodiness?”
“I think you’d be surprised, bud, I’ve been watching you two together all night. There’s something there.”
Just then a man–a tall blonde lumberjack type who’s been watching Lucy from the bar–moves in on her. He sidles up behind her, placing his hands confidently on her hips. Lucy throws a smile at him over her shoulder and continues dancing, allowing him to pull her back against his body.
What the–?!
I watch as the man slides his hand around to rest on her stomach and my nostrils flare. That possessiveness from earlier rears its ugly head, again. He better get his hands off her–and my child–right quick!
Aidan reaches over to put a calming hand on my shoulder. I swallow thickly.
Friends, I remind myself again.
Just friends.
But it’s no use.
I’ve seen Lucy do this ‘dance’ with guys before. I know she’s just having fun tonight, and it’s clear that sheneedsthat. She’s friendly and flirty, and I know this doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll be leaving with this loser.
But … it also doesn’t mean shewon’t.
And … I can’t have that.
I’m seeing red as I shove up from the table. My instincts are roaring–roaring!
No one else can touch her.
Aidan jumps to his feet as well and braces a hand on my chest to stop me from lunging into the crowd.
“Calm, Noah,” he says.
I pull my eyes from the dancing duo only to catch Aidan attempting to mask a smile. He’s amused with my discomfort.
Making a noise of disgust I turn back to the pair on the dance floor. The douche is running a hand up her ribcage, coming dangerously close to–
