Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“He does. I told him after our meeting, and then we went to dinner to talk.”
“Okay…and?”
“And he’s excited. He’s always wanted to be a dad…”
“But…” she prompts because she knows me too well.
“He lives in Dallas.”
“Oh.” She deflates.
“Yeah,” I agree. “He says we have time to figure it out, but I don’t know how that’s possible when he runs an entire company four hours away from where I live and work. And even if we take ourselves out of the equation, what will that mean for our baby?”
Tears of frustration fill my eyes, and Ana rounds the desk to pull me into her arms. I stand, and we hug for several minutes while I get it out.
Once I’m calm, she says, “Don’t stress about this, Paige. I know it’s easier said than done, but things have a way of working themselves out. I know that firsthand.”
I sniffle back a sob and nod. “I know. It’s just so hard. Spending time with him last night felt so natural. It was like we picked up right where we’d left off in London. Only there’s this giant elephant in the room.”
“How did you guys leave things?”
“He asked me to dinner again and then had my favorite ice cream and pickles delivered to me this morning.”
“That’s so sweet.” Ana swoons. “Just like in a romance book. Speaking of which, we need to figure out when we’re having our book club meeting.” She pouts. “We haven’t rescheduled it since you and Kira found out you were pregnant.”
“Yes, that’s definitely at the top of my priority list,” I joke.
“It should be. Reading is the ultimate escape.”
“Yeah, well, right now, I need to deal with my reality.”
We talk a little longer about Nate and then move on to how her little ones are doing, which leads to her inviting me over for a barbecue this weekend.
“You should invite Nate,” she suggests. “It will give us a chance to get to know him. Regardless of what you guys decide, he’s your baby daddy.”
“Will you stop calling him that?” I laugh. “You make it sound so scandalous. But we’ll see. I don’t know what his plans are. He says he’s staying in a hotel for the next few weeks, but I don’t know if he’s planning to fly back home.”
“Okay, well, it’s an open invitation,” Ana says, standing. “And you’d better update me on your date tonight. I’ll be in my office tomorrow morning with breakfast and coffee.”
With a wink, she strolls out.
I pull my phone out and type in Nate’s name—as I input it yesterday, when he asked to exchange info. Then, I type out a message.
Thank you for the ice cream and pickles.
Within seconds, he texts back.
You’re welcome. See you tonight.
The thought of dressing up and going out to dinner after working all day sounds exhausting, so I send him back a text, ignoring how intimate it sounds.
I was thinking we could order in tonight instead of going out.
Sounds good. Text me once you’re ready for me to come over. I’m just at my hotel, working remotely.
“Do I dress up or dress comfortably?”
I texted Nate that I’m home and he’s welcome to come over whenever he wants, but when I started to take off my work clothes, I realized I had no idea what to put on, so I video-called Ana.
“You’re at home and pregnant. Nobody will judge you for dressing comfortably.”
“Yeah, but…”
“But what? You’re attracted to him, so you want to look your best because you’re pregnant and horny and you haven’t gotten laid in four months?”
“Jesus, Ana,” I grumble. “You got all that from me barely saying two words?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know Nate, but I know Julian, and he doesn’t care what I wear if I’m willing to give it up.”
She waggles her brows, and I groan because she isn’t wrong. A part of me is worried about the baby’s and my future, but the other—horny—part of me remembers how good Nate was in bed and wonders if he’d be interested in scratching my itch.
“God, this is so complicated.” I groan into my hand.
“Is it though?” Ana asks. “You like him, and he likes you…”
“And he lives over two hundred miles away.”
“Oh, I meant the sex.” She grins innocently when she’s anything but.
“Goodbye,” I mutter dryly. “I need to go figure out my clothing situation.”
“I vote for pajamas,” she says with a laugh. “Oh! Or something sexy, like lingerie.”
“Goodbye,” I repeat.
“Tomorrow morning, breakfast. I can’t wait to hear all the juicy details!” is the last thing she says before I click End on the call.
“Did I misunderstand?” Nate glances down at my heels and then lets his gaze roam up my body with an appreciative but confused look. “I thought we were ordering in.”
Despite wanting to wear comfy pajamas—and sexy lingerie was a hard no—I went with a cute plaid skirt, a stretchy, long-sleeved black top, and heeled black boots. Nate and I are still getting to know each other, and I didn’t want to appear like a slob who’s letting myself go only a few months into my pregnancy.