Page 105 of Negotiating Tactics

“Well, that was anticlimactic,” Alex said thirty minutes later.

“I have to agree,” I said.

They’d taken blood to confirm the pregnancy then given her few resources and told her they’d be in touch to set up an appointment.

“Lunch?” I asked.

“No, I?—”

Something in my expression must have given her pause.

“Sure,” she finally said.

I was glad she had relented.

I was going to take Aunt Clem’s advice but would only allow Alex to push me so far.

“I’m going to miss lunch meat,” Alex said.

“The doctor said you could have it. You just have to heat it up,” I responded.

“Yeah, but warm cold cuts don’t even sound right,” she said.

I just laughed and stayed silent as I led her to a lunch spot, one that happened to be next door to her OB. She placed an order for chicken—chicken that I intended to ensure was thoroughly cooked—veggies, and brown rice.

“I’ll have Dominic’s chef prepare meals for you,” I said absently.

“No, that’s not necessary,” she said, frowning at me.

“Look, Alex,” I said, my patience wearing thin.

I stayed quiet, took a deep breath, and then started again.

“Alex, whatever happened between us, we have the baby to consider. And right now, taking care of you is taking care of him or her. So I’m going to do that. No arguments,” I said.

I kept my face emotionless, wanting to be ready for her response.

You could have knocked me out of the chair when she gave me a curt nod.

There was a shift after that, something subtle, but she talked to me a little bit about the cases she was working on.

Nothing of real substance, but it wasn’t the silent, distant Alex that I had confronted for these last couple of weeks.

By the time we left lunch, I felt something like hope.

“Have a good day. I’ll call you tonight,” I said when I stopped in front of her office.

She looked over at me. “You too.”

I moved on instinct and leaned over to place a quick, hard kiss on her lips.

Her eyes widened, and then, to my surprise, she smiled.

She got out without saying anything else, but I sat for a moment, trying to hold onto that feeling.

Hope.

For the first time in weeks, I believed I might have a chance.

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