She asked about the photo and I kind of froze up. I told her I’m seeing someone and she assumed it wasn’t you. I didn’t correct her. I also didn’t want to explain why you can’t be at the wedding.
You could’ve told her. I wouldn’t have cared.
It’s your news to share.
Our news.
You know I’m rolling my eyes right now.
I’d expect nothing less. Was she excited to find out you’re having a girl?
Fuck!
I didn’t tell her. I was so stressed out about everything that I completely forgot.
Why were you stressed? You know what the doctor said about keeping it to a minimum.
I didn’t want her to judge me about us being together.
A second later, there’s an incoming call from him, and I answer, “Hello?”
“Are you embarrassed to be with me?”
“No! It’s nothing like that. If anything you should be embarrassed being with me. I just wanted to wait until the wedding was over; she deserves the attention, not me.”
“Aubrey,” he sighs, “you shouldn’t be lying to your best friend.”
“I know, but it’s only for a few weeks. If you’re okay with it, I’ll tell her before I leave Vegas.”
“You could tell her right now, and I’d be more than okay with it. I was just hoping we wouldn’t have to sneak around anymore.”
I groan, hating how he’s right. “I know, but Isaac and Olivia have proven themselves to be meddlers. She'll probably start planning the wedding the second I tell her it’s you. It’s better this way so she can focus on work and her own wedding.” He doesn't say anything, so I offer, “I’ll be done around six today. Would you be okay starting dinner before I get home?”
“Of course. I’ll be done a little earlier. As much as I love your white-girl tacos—as you call them—I’ll stop by the store and pick up something to make.”
“Admit it. You hate them.”
“No,” he replies a little too quickly.
“Whatever you make, can you make it spicy? The baby has been craving it.”
“I thinkyou’vebeen craving it,” he chuckles. “But I’ll take your request into consideration.”
We hang up, and all I can think is how lucky I am to have Jamie. I want to shout it from the rooftops that he’s mine, but we need to be smart about it. The last thing either of us needs is it to leak before the wedding and taint Olivia’s reputation.
It’s only two weeks. I can do this.
29
Jamie
TWO WEEKS LATER
Aubrey’s on her way to Vegas, and even though she’ll only be gone for about twenty-four hours, I’m going to miss her. At least when she’s traveling for work, we’re in contact all day, but with the wedding, I’ll be lucky if I get to tell her goodnight.
It doesn’t help that I’m meeting my father for the first time and I wish she was here for it. We’ve spoken a few times since our initial call, and although I’m nervous, it isn’t as if I expect to have an immediate father-son relationship with him. He shared with me that I have a half-brother who still lives in Puerto Rico and is finishing his degree in social services, with hopes of becoming a social worker. Maybe one day I’ll get to meet him, but even if I don’t, it’s comforting to know that the men I share blood with have values that are aligned with mine.
Since I got an early start today—and am feeling restless—I stop by the boutique paint shop Aubrey’s been insisting we use to support small businesses, to pick up two cans of paint in the shade she sent me. She wanted to hire someone to paint the nursery, but I need something to keep me busy. Also, I want tosurprise her when she’s back from her trip. I manage to get two coats done, and still have time for a quick shower and to change before needing to leave for lunch with my father.
