Page 36 of Love is Grand

“Shell, I’m not the one you should be mad at. I’m advocating for you. After our honeymoon in London, Ry and I are back in Michigan for the summer, so I won’t be here to keep an eye on you. You need Cal. Don’t get me wrong, I told him to man up. It’s obvious he cares for you, because he’s never worried about anyone a day in his life. He’s usually the fucker who fucks shit up, pardon my French.”

I scoffed. “Well, he fucked this up. He thinks all I want is a sugar daddy. I’m not looking to tie him down, but he could want to know his kid. To be in his or her life.”

Running his hand through his hair, Adam blew out a long breath. “He was wrong. The fact is, he’s scared. My brother doesn’t even have a goldfish. He’s New York’s best divorce attorney and thinks everything starts and ends with money. Call him. He’s too chickenshit to reach out, but he’s a mess.”

Swallowing the emotions I didn’t want to have—like feeling sorry for a scared Cal—I said, “I don’t believe your brother is chickenshit about anything.”

“Shell, he’s never bought anyone jewelry before. Clothes, fancy purses, extravagant weekends, yes, but never a jewel. Always thought it was too personal.”

The guilt made me look away.

Switching gears, Adam asked, “How are you feeling?”

“I heard the heartbeat,” I blurted excitedly in a moment of weakness.

Adam both smiled and shook his head. “Call my brother. You can’t do this to him.”

“Me?”

He stood, tossing a tip on the table.

“Anything else?” I asked, delivering it with a bit of snark.

“Take the job with your dad. My brother may be an asshole, but there’s no way he’s going to put up with you working on your feet all day while carrying his baby.”

I snatched up the tip, rolling my eyes at his back, then hurried to check on a table I’d ignored.

Later that night, after I’d tucked Weezie in and made myself a cup of herbal tea, I picked up my phone. In my mind, I started to craft a text, but there was no way to shorten all I had to say. Before I could chicken out, I forced myself to dial his number.

“Shell, are you okay?” Cal answered without saying hello, his sexy voice rumbling over the line.

“I’m fine.” For a second, I felt bad for him, and then I remembered our last “discussion.”

A long stretch of silence passed between us.

“Is this a bad time?” I finally asked.

“No. I’m at the office, just looking over some paperwork for tomorrow.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

“Shell, don’t. It’s fine. I’m glad you called. I’ve wanted to call every day to apologize for how I acted, but I wasn’t sure you could forgive me.”

“Your brother came to see me,” I said, moving the conversation along.

“Shit,” Cal muttered.

“He’s anxious for us to set the news free. I’m going to show soon. I heard the heartbeat, so it’s time.”

“What?” Cal’s voice boomed over the line.

“I heard the heartbeat. It was very fast and strong.”

“I’m coming to see you. I want to hear it.”

“What?” I asked, not sure I’d heard correctly. “Cal, we need to figure out a plan, not make travel arrangements.”

Another long pause stretched out over the line.

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