Page 71 of In Spades

Whenever I mentioned I didn’t want to have kids, the response was always, “Well, you’re young. You’ll change your mind,” or “when you meet the right man, you’ll want a family.”

Never once had anyone taken my decision seriously.

I wasn’t trying to linger on our age difference, but Will was older than me. There was no way he didn’t want kids. Hell, the way he lit up when I talked about my siblings had onesies and bottles flashing in his eyes.

I knew I needed to sit down with him and be upfront about it, but when was the right time to broach a topic like that? The “baby conversation” wasn’t exactly first-date material. There was a fine line between honesty and scaring him off.

When I pulled into the trailer park, I found Chase’s truck parked in front of my house. Hannah Jane had texted me earlier that he would bring all four kids back home.

I waited in my car for a moment, savoring the last remaining seconds of peace. Then, with a sharp breath, I pulled out my phone and texted the poker club.

Kristin

So, I think I might need to call for a vote…

The group text explosion happened instantly.

Hannah Jane

IT’S HAPPENING! EVERYBODY STAY CALM! O.M.G! IT’S HAPPENING!

Steve

We’re calm. You’re the one freaking out, H.J.

Melissa

WE ARE NOT CALM. Kris—I totally saw y’all making out in the parking lot. I assume things went well?

Maddie

HOLY FUCKBALLS! GET IT, KRIS!

Luca

Wait. Who is this guy?

Isaac

What Luca said.

Maddie

If you and Isaac would spend more than 36 hours in Beaufort, you’d be able to meet him.

Hannah Jane

What Maddie said.

Chase

Would y’all keep your marital spats out of the group text? That’s just weird.

Kristin

CAN Y’ALL JUST VOTE ALREADY?

Erica

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