Page 62 of Her Baby His Gift

Harlem glanced down at her hands. “No. Not in the way I should have. You can’t be all that surprised. You heard me at the gravesite.”

“I heard a woman who was rightfully hurt and angry.”

“I was very angry with him, but mostly with myself. Don’t get me wrong, Damian was my best friend. He had all the qualifications for my perfect guy. I should have been in love with him. I don’t understand why I wasn’t. I hoped with more time, eventually, I would be. I know now that it never would have worked out that way.”

“I don’t know, Harlem. Damian loved you very much.”

“Damian loved the idea of me. We didn’t see eye-to-eye on so many things, but I know he desperately wanted a family. Something he never had growing up. I was an idealized fantasy come to life. He was my exact opposite. He would have been miserable if this relationship had continued, and so would I.”

Carter was finding it hard to digest her words. “I know one thing. He would have been a great dad.”

“No doubt about it.” She agreed.

“Damian and I share a lot of the same hang-ups.”

I know, which is why I have no idea why I feel more connected to you. “I guess it’s part of the thing that bonded you.”

“Harlem, I can do this. Iwantto do this.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I don’t want this baby to know me as an uncle. I want to be her father.”

“It’s a big step and an even bigger commitment. Is that truly what you want?”

Carter reached for her hands and held them firmly in his. “It’s what I want.”And so are you, but you, I cannot have.

“Are you sure it’s not just the emotions from the day? I mean, you kissed me and then acted as if it never happened. You also gave me a rose–on Valentine’s Day. We’re just friends, right?”

“I don’t know if I should have done that. I guess I just got caught up. But, there is a part of me that hopes we can be more than friends.”

Harlem’s heart started to accelerate. “More?”

“Yes. I want us to be parents to this little miracle. I hope you give me the opportunity.”

Harlem hoped her face didn’t reveal her disappointment. She could also kick herself for wanting to explore anything romantic with Carter. Instead of voicing what was really going on in her head, Harlem smiled. His declaration was good news. “If that’s what you really want, I could never stand in the way.”

Carter exhaled in relief. That battle was over. He had a feeling the biggest battle was just getting started.

Chapter 29

Harlem was stuffed. She rested her head on the back of the sofa and patted her stomach. “God, I don’t think I can eat another bite.”

“Right.” He twisted his lips to the side. “I don’t believe that for a second. I know for a fact around eight o’clock you’re going to want some black-walnut ice-cream.”

“True. You’re going to have to make sure I’m home by then. You stocked up my freezer with enough for the two years.” She laughed.

“I knew that craving was serious when you’re ass got car-jacked over it.”

“Wow. That seems like so long ago.”

“You don’t have to wait until you get home. I stopped off at the store and picked some up. So, if you get a sweet tooth, you’re all set.”

“Really?”

“Yep.”

“Wow. Who would have thought?” She said.

---