Page 23 of A Really Bad Idea

“Rosemary is her favorite herb, and the potatoes are smothered in them.”

Denny’s right brow shoots up, and now, I totally get why Angela thinks he’s so sexy. “But you’re not a couple?”

“Nope,” I say. “They are.” I thumb over toward Natasha and Christian, who quickly adds, “We’re not a couple either. We’re just dating.”

I can’t see Natasha’s face, but from Angela’s wide-eyed, chin-dropping expression, I think the verdict is that Natasha is not pleased.

“Meadow and I are just friends,” Christian clarifies.

Denny looks at us for a beat and then states, “You’d make a cute couple.”

I pause mid-bite and glance over at Christian, who is giving me a side-eye, like, Is this guy for real? I shrug my shoulders and take my bite.

Angela chimes in, “I’ve said the same thing. They won’t listen.”

“Me, too!” Beth shouts beside me.

I scrunch my brows at her. From further inspection of the empty glass in front of her—her third drink from what I can tell—I conclude she is buzzed.

“Their babies would be gorgeous!” she adds.

“Christian’s eyes with Meadow’s lips,” Angela says to Beth with her own glass in hand.

Beth is extra invigorated. “Christian’s thick hair but with Meadow’s rich color. It’s natural; did you know that?”

“No shit. I always assumed she dyed it.” Angela is now staring at my head.

I blink a few times.

“I’d have kids with Meadow,” Christian declares.

With two hands placed on the table, I lean back and give him a what the hell are you talking about glare.

He just shrugs and points toward Beth and Angela. “They’re right. Our kids would be fucking cute.”

Natasha makes an audible squeak. This conversation got awkward and fast.

“Meadow, do you want kids?” my friend Marissa cuts into the conversation, her pink nails under her chin as she leans forward in interest.

Suddenly, four pairs of eyes are on me as Angela, Denny, Marissa, and Beth are staring at me, waiting for an answer.

I lift my water glass, take a gulp, and gently place it on the table. “I do. Actually, I just made an appointment to inquire about freezing my eggs.”

Angela’s mouth drops, as does Beth’s forehead.

Brian’s fork falls to his plate with a loud thunk. “You what?”

Christian leans into my side, pulling my attention away from their confused expressions. “When did you make this decision?”

“I haven’t made any decisions, but I’ve spent some time researching the benefits of egg cryopreservation, and I think it could be a good option for me,” I explain.

Brian lets out a loud gruff as Beth twists her body toward me.

“You’re so young. You can easily meet someone tomorrow,” she says.

“I could, but I don’t want to rush into being with someone just because I want to start a family. And who knows? Maybe, in a few years, I’ll decide to do it on my own. Hell, maybe I’ll decide to just say fuck it and do it on my own now.”

Angela rests both hands under her chin. “That’s so badass.”