“I don’t understand.” She frowns. “Does he not want the baby?”
“Not exactly. He seemed really shocked, which is understandable. Then he said the baby wouldn’t change anything and asked me if I wanted to keep it.”
Confusion clouds her violet eyes. “You told him it was his, right?”
“Yeah, of course. Buuut…it was a little awkward. He seemed more interested in knowing whether or not I wanted it rather than if it was his.” I try to process the conversation again. “It almost felt like he was looking for a reason tonotwant it or something.”
“That’s disappointing. I didn’t think he was that kind of person.”
“I don’t think he’s some nasty asshole.” She shouldn’t think the worst of Rhys, because that isn’t fair. “But we made it clear from the beginning we weren’t looking for anything long term—no commitment, just some good times. Maybe he doesn’t want to change what we have because of a baby neither of us planned for. Part of me probably expected him to…I don’t know…show more love for the baby? His reaction hurt me so much more than I expected. I keep thinking about what happened with my parents, you know?”
“What do you mean?”
“They got married because my mom got pregnant with me. My dad wanted to do the right thing. But he left her because he slept with his assistant and was hankering for a son, which his assistant supposedly gave him.”
“That asshole,” Ailee mutters.
“Don’t worry. Turned out that isn’t reallyhisson.”
She covers her mouth with a hand, her eyes wide. “Oh my God!”
“A Karma bitch-slap! Pow!”
We both laugh.
“But anyway…” I sober. “I told Rhys not to do ‘the right thing.’ I’d hate it if he woke up five years from now and went, ‘Oh my God, what was I thinking? Telling her I would marry her rather than just giving her some child support and not worrying about this?’ I don’t want his regret to hurt our kid.”
Ailee reaches over and lays a hand on mine. “You’re afraid.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “I’m scared shitless. Sometimes I wonder if just taking child support might be easier. He can see the kid when he has the time, no obligation to do anything beyond that. That way, if he finds somebody else he’d rather be with, he won’t regret it.”
“That’s…a really depressing way of thinking.” Ailee leans forward, peering at me with concern. “What happened to you? What happened to my confident friend?”
“I dunno… Her confidence sort of dissipated when it wasn’t just her, but her kid on the line, too?” My voice trembles a little toward the end.
“Okay, let me lay this out for you. From what you’ve said over the years, I think Rhys is a super-smart guy, even though he can be single-minded and work-obsessed. He has a degree in physics from MIT, and built this billion-dollar fortune in finance in L.A. He’s so freakin’ sure of himself, he didn’t even bother with WallStreet. The man’s clear on what he wants and what he’s doing. Right?”
I nod.
“And now you’re telling me a manthatintelligent,thatdriven, is going to make the same mistake your absolute moron of a father made?” She pauses and gives me a long look, letting her words sink in. “That’s not just an insult to Rhys, it’s an insult toyou.”
“I don’t see how—”
“That you fell for a guy just like your father! You’re letting your father’s idiotic behavior prevent you from being happy. If your thing with Rhys works out, you’ll be one of the happiest people in the world. And your baby will be one of its most cherished and pampered children.”
My mouth dries. The outrage at the injustice she’s painting…and the happiness that my hesitation and doubts are letting slip from my grasp…
She continues: “I don’t want your past to stop you from having the best life possible. I know it isn’t easy. Hell, I’m an insecure mess myself, and it took me a while to realize that it’s okay to accept the good things in life. Rhys might just be the perfect guy, created just for you.”
I cover my face with my hands briefly, then press the heels against my temples. She’s right, of course. She took the hard, brave step, and achieved the kind of life millions of women would kill for. “When Mom died, I found a bucket list she’d written. First item was that she wanted to see me happy and fulfilled.” I lift my head and look straight into Ailee’s warm eyes. “It was thetop item,” I choke out. “I don’t want to fail.”
Ailee drags her chair next to mine and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Being happy and fulfilled doesn’t mean never making a mistake. You’re right to be careful. There’s a chance Rhys could be the wrong guy for you. But that doesn’t mean thattrying to seekhappinesswith him is wrong. If he betrays you, he’s the bad guy, not you. And Karma’s going to kick him in the balls, and he’ll never get it up again.”
I let out a tremulous laugh. My bestie reallyisthe best.
“Don’t let your shitty dad get in your way, Max,” Ailee says gently. “He isn’t worth it.”
Chapter Forty-Five
