Page 59 of On Thin Ice

“Eating ice cream at three in the afternoon.”

I shot her a glare. “Very funny.”

She lifted her hands in surrender. “What? You asked. Want to talk about it? I mean, that is why I’m here.”

“Ugh,” I groaned, plopping down on the couch next to her and taking the pint of ice cream from her hands.

“Hey!”

“I need it more.” I shoved the spoon in my mouth.

“What’s going on, Ally?”

I pulled the spoon out of my mouth. “I don’t know. Dom really wants me to move to Denver. He says no pressure, but he keeps asking. Am I crazy to consider it? You guys are all here, and you’re my support system, but we know how crazy hockey season is, and he wants to be around to help me. I want to give our daughter the best opportunities from the get-go with both of her parents involved. I just don’t know the best way to do that.” I put my head in my hands.

“What do you want to do?”

“Not make a decision like this when I’m pregnant,” I muttered.

“Yeah, not ideal timing to move, but what do you think is best for you and my perfect little niece?” She nudged her shoulder into mine, and I looked up.

“He’s the father.”

“Yes. But you can’t just move in with him because of that. It needs to be what’s best for her. I know he’s been a bit pushy about this, but don’t cave just to appease him.”

“I wouldn’t. I’m not,” I said firmly. “This is solely about her.”

“Okay. So what are the other pros?”

“It won’t disrupt my job to move to Denver. Hell, they even have a satellite office there,” I said.

“True. Does the thought of living with him make you want to say absolutely not?”

“I guess not. I mean, we text and talk all the time. I guess we’re friends now.”

“What about more than friends?”

“Nope. Not going there. We will be co-parenting roommates. Anything else is just setting us up for disaster,” I said, hoping I sounded firm.

“Okay, good. Don’t think about me or your family, then. Think about what is best for you and this little girl. That’s the best advice I can give. Oh, and if you do move, I will be visiting as much as you’ll let me.”

That was exactly what I needed to hear. She wrapped her arm around me and tugged me into a hug.

Before stealing more ice cream.

DOM

I definitely was putting too much pressure on her, but I couldn’t help but be selfish. I stared at my phone, promising myself I wouldn’t text her again today. I’d laid the charm on thick during our last call and still felt marginally guilty.

My phone dinged.

Micah: Grabbing a beer at Tipsy. You in?

Dom: Sure.

There were a few hours before my movie date with Ally, and I was always up for a teammate bonding session over a beer or two.

Micah: Heading down to the lobby in five.

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