Page 19 of Somebody To Love

She knew the exact amount. Of course she did because she was Penny. A smile ticked up the corner of his mouth.

He whistled into his beer. “That’s a lotta dough.”

She scowled, freckles standing out against her skin as it reddened with irritation. “I know what I’m getting into, BJ. I researched all statistics. Read dozens of parenting books. Watched hours of Internet tutorials. I’m aware of the cost, time, and dedication it takes to be a parent.”

“I know what I’m doing. Famous words of every person without kids right before they have one.”

A phrase his mother liked to repeat every time one of his cousins found out they were expecting.

“I wasn’t doubting your ability, honey.” She scrunched up her nose at him the way she did when she was upset. “If I had any doubts, I wouldn’t be willing to donate my…guys.” Shit, he still couldn’t say sperm in front of her.

“Really?”

“Really. I just want to make sure you and the baby are going to be okay.”

She sighed, placing her soda down on the counter she came to his side and slipped her arms around his waist, hugging him tight. That weird awareness started happening again. Strange, because he and Penny touched all the time. They hugged, wrapped arms around each other, even exchanged kisses—platonic ones on the cheek and forehead. So why the hell was his body suddenly going haywire from normal innocent touches?

“Everything will be fine, BJ,” she said, completely unaware of his inner turmoil. “Don’t worry so much about me. I know you have a savior’s complex, but I’ll be okay.”

“A what now?”

She grinned up at him. “You can’t help but help the people around you. It’s one of the things that makes you such a great guy. You always try to fix everyone’s problem.”

So? What was wrong with trying to help the ones he cared about?

“But I don’t need you to rush in and fix anything for me. I have it all under control.”

“All you need from me is my sperm.” There! He said it.

“That and your amazing queso.” Pale red eyebrows bobbed. Her nose scrunched up. “And if the baby decides they like sports, you’re going to have to teach them. Fun Uncle BJ to the rescue.”

He laughed, tipping his beer back to finish the bottle. Now that he could do. The strange vibe dissipated from his body as he helped her clean up the dinner dishes. Granted, all they really did was place them in the dishwasher and throw out the empty lasagna tin. Since Penny didn’t really cook, clean up was always easy. There wasn’t anything wrong with prepackaged food, but his mind wandered to the future. Would Penny try to learn to cook homemade meals for her kid? Nothing could beat the homemade tamales his mother made every Christmas eve dinner. Would their kid have any memories of delicious family recipes?

Not their kid.

Her kid.

Penny made it very clear the baby would be her child, not theirs. She wasn’t splitting custody. He could be involved in the kid’s life, but he wouldn’t be their dad. That was the way it worked with most donors. Fine with him.

Then why was an image of him and Penny running around after a rambunctious mini them and laughing their heads off filling his mind right now?

He shook the image away.

They settled on the couch to watch an episode of the hilarious baking show contest Penny liked. The woman couldn’t cook worth salt, but she loved watching other people do it. He could understand the appeal, he supposed. The host made him laugh, and the finished dishes always looked amazing. Though they had made it a rule to watch after they’d eaten since the first time they watched on an empty stomach. Which resulted in them eating an entire pizza, two bags of chips, and half a pie.

Once the shows finished, he stood, knowing the time had come to call it a night. For once, he felt oddly disappointed by the fact. What was the deal? They hung out all the time. He’d most likely see her tomorrow. Leaving her place had never made him sad before. So why was this weight settling in his chest now? Why did he have this craving to stay?

“Thank you again, BJ. So much.” Penny said as she walked him to her front door. “I really can’t express how much this means to me.”

“I’m happy to do it, honey.” And he was. The joyful expression on her face made him feel a thousand feet tall. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

She nodded. “Yup.”

He cupped her face, intending to give her a goodbye kiss on the forehead like he always did, but for one moment, his gaze caught on hers and something sparked. Her pupils dilated, the inky black iris overwhelming the pale hazel. The tip of her pink tongue came out to run along her bottom lip and he had the strongest urge to dip his head and catch it with his own lips. To delve into the depths of her warm, wet mouth and feel what it would be like to really kiss Penelope Williams.

“Bravo?”

His full name. Uttered in a breathy tone he wasn’t used to hearing from his best friend. He sucked in a sharp breath. That strange ping of desire hitting him low in his gut. He leaned down, so close he could feel her warm breath against her lips. Watching as her eyes went heavy, lids drooping.

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