Page 21 of Trash the Dress

“As a heart attack.” My jaw clenches as I wait for him to absorb this news.

“So let me get this straight. You got the bride of a wedding you photographed pregnant? I mean, that was her, wasn’t it? Scarlett isn’t the most common name.” He points toward the now closed door she left through moments ago.

“Yes, that was her. But you remember me telling you she didn’t go through with it because he cheated on her,” I explain.

“I do remember, son. And I remember it was my buddy’s son that was supposed to marry her.” He shakes his head. I’m not sure if his disappointment is with me or Eric the cheater. Finally, he raises his hands up.

“That doesn’t matter, I don’t know his son, but he sounds like a tool if he cheated on her and let her find out on their wedding day. What are you going to do?” he asks.

I inhale deeply and look him straight in the eye. “I don’t know. She wants me to think long and hard about what I want. Having kids was never in my plans…even before my life spiraled. But I won’t be the kind of man that leaves a woman to take care of the child we created together all by herself. I mean, people co-parent every day.”

Dad is quiet for a moment. “I know you’ll make the right choice,” he says and stands.

“What do you mean?”

“I know you. And you won’t walk away from your child…or this woman. Life is about to get good for you. There’s nothing like the love for your child, or the mother of your child for that matter. You may not see it now, but your life is about to change for the better. Just don’t overthink everything and mess it up,” he says.

He leaves me then to my thoughts and now I’m wondering…am I worthy of being someone’s dad?

I guess only time will tell. But I don’t even begin to know what to do about Scarlett and me. I know lots of people who co-parent with no issues. But I don’t know if what’s left of my heart could handle sharing my child with someone Scarlett may or may not get involved with later. Once I let someone in, it doesn’t let go until I’m left bleeding. Can I risk it again? Can I soften my stone-like heart? Even for my child?

I run a hand through my hair. She’s right…I have a lot to think about.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Scarlett

Anna is waiting for me in my room at the B and B. She has clothes laid across the bed for going out, and another set for staying in and binging whatever TV shows or movies we want while ordering in.

She plops down on the couch close to the little table and chairs in the corner. “I’m down for whatever you want to do, but before we decide what that is, come tell me what he said.”

I toss my keys and purse on the little table as I pass by. Then I sit beside her. “It went the way you’d expect. You have a one-night stand with someone you don’t plan to see again, and six weeks later you’re told you’re going to be a dad. I mean, I can barely believe it myself, Anna.”

She tucks my hair behind my ear. “At least he’s not dating someone,” she says. “That would make it awkward.”

I close my eyes. “Yeah. That’s the thing, he says he has very little to do with women, yet there’s this waitress who works for him and I swear she was basically peeing circles around him to stake her claim.”

Anna bursts out laughing. “What? Are you serious?”

“Yep. I went to the bar and asked for him and she interrogated me like the FBI would a suspect from the most wanted list. And when we went to his office to talk privately, she didn’t take her cold stare off us. And I swear she was eavesdropping because when I barreled out of his office the first time, she practically ran around the corner to avoid me.”

“Yikes. But it may be one-sided,” she says.

“Or they could just have something physical going on, but she wants more. He hinted at sleeping with women, just no relationships. I mean…I don’t know him, Anna. And he doesn’t know me,” I say as I stand up and start to pace.

“I’m having a baby after a one-night stand with a man I barely know. A man who is as grumpy as the day is long. I’m not sure what I pictured from the man who would father my children, but it wasn’t someone who doesn’t know how to smile and is still hung up on his past,” I say, exasperated.

“I know having someone stand you up on your wedding day had to have sucked, especially when his circumstances were that she left him for his best man/best friend. But was my situation so much different? I didn’t know the woman who stood up in the church to object, but the knife to my heart was no less sharp.”

Anna wears an expression filled with pity. She’s smiling at me, but it doesn’t touch her eyes. “Scarlett, you and this baby are going to thrive no matter if there’s a dad in the picture or not. You know why?”

“I don’t but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

Anna laughs at that. “You know I will. But all joking aside, you will be fine because you have me and your parents, and we will love you and this baby unconditionally. But mostly, you’ll be fine because you are such an amazing person with so much love to give. This baby is going to be so lucky to be blessed with a mom like you.”

I start to laugh but it turns into a cry instead. This whole situation seems impossible. Anna stands and pulls me into her arms. “I got you, hunny-bunny.”

“I know you do. I’m sorry. I’d be emotional anyway, but these pregnancy hormones are no joke,” I say as I pull back and wipe my eyes.

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