Page 48 of Trash the Dress

She sighs. “I know why I was there. And as much as I wanted to tell him no, there was something in his voice and his eyes that got to me.”

“His eyes are mesmerizing, I know. But you saidshewas there. What more proof do you need that he’s been lying to me?” I almost shout.

“I said I saw someone, and yes, I assume it was this Vivian person you described. But he was putting her in her place. The interaction was frosty and firm on his part from what I overheard,” she says.

“But that doesn’t mean he hadn’t just banged her one more time to get her out of his system. The woman was there to seduce him,” I snap.

Anna tucks the hair falling in my face behind my ear. “I think until you talk, and I mean both of you, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

“I can’t see him. I won’t open the door for him,” I say again.

“I can’t make you, but I strongly suggest you talk to him. Your son deserves both of his parents. You know I’m right. Especially since your own parents haven’t come around yet,” she says quietly.

She’s not wrong. I want to give my son everything. I want him to be surrounded by all the people who should love him. I also know Zander and I will have to talk sometime soon. I just thought I’d have a few more days to compose myself before I faced him. I thought it’d be on my terms, not his.

“Will you stay until he comes? Scare him with your staredown? What time is he coming?”

She laughs and checks her watch. “I’ll stay till he’s here and then I’m just a phone call away if you need support. I’d say he’ll be here in an hour,” she says while tapping her watch.

“Okay. I’m going to shower and get dressed.”

“Good.” She giggles.

“What does that mean?” I ask and laugh while throwing a pillow at her.

“Take it as you will, but if I was seeing my dream man, I’d at least brush my teeth and my hair,” she says still laughing.

I guffaw. “I’ll remember this moment when you meet your dream guy. What is a dream guy anyway?” I ask before turning to walk down my hallway to the bathroom.

She taps her temple in thought. “Oh, I don’t know. The sexy, strong type. The one that’s secretly sensitive with you but tough as nails to the rest of the world. The man that will do whatever it takes to make you happy and take care of your heart.”

I pause at the last bit. “Yeah, we’ll see if he can live up to that.”

“He’s here,”I whisper, placing a hand over my pregnant belly.

“So he is,” Anna says with a wink.

She starts to open the door, but I grab her hand to stop her. “Do I look okay?”

“You look beautiful as always.”

“Am I doing the right thing by talking to him right now? Maybe we should take a little more time apart.”

She smiles and grabs my cheeks gently. “You’re amazing. You’re brave, and yes, you need to clear the air sooner than later. No time like the present.”

I nod as she releases me and turns to open the door. When she does, Zander Bailey is standing there holding the most beautiful bouquet of orange and yellow roses. His gaze locks on to mine immediately.

Anna clears her throat breaking the silence. “Don’t screw this up,” she says to him before turning to me and winking. After that, she leaves my apartment to give us some privacy, but she won’t go too far away in case I need her after this talk with my baby daddy.

My baby daddy. That sounds so funny in my head I almost laugh. But he’d think I’m crazy for sure then. He very well might be my dream man though. Once I pushed through his grumpiness, he’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Let’s just hope his ex-fiancée hasn’t caused more than superficial damage.

“Uh, come in,” I say awkwardly.

“These made me think of you,” he says.

“How so?” I ask.

“They remind me of the sun. And you’re the only sunshine in my life,” he admits.

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