Page 50 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

“Okay, then, shall we get started?”

Stacey leaves, never giving Regan another glance. One look from her boss was warning enough apparently. Good, I hope that settles the issue. We don’t need rumors floating around before anything even happens. Regan and I will have to sit down and discuss when and what to tell people when the time comes. I look at her, sitting across the table like we’re a divorced couple meeting to divide our property, and I wonder if she already has told people. People like Ava and Maddie.

I’m pretty sure she hasn’t. They’d never let her do it. Then again, when has anyone ever told Regan what to do? Perhaps having a lawyer run this show isn’t the worst thing in the world. I do have rights, too.

“Okay then,” Candace begins. “While this agreement we’re about to draw up may be a bit unconventional, it’s not that different from say a prenuptial agreement. In the end, though, they’re all the same thing, business transactions.” She turns to Regan. “I don’t mean for that to sound cold, but things like this are necessary to protect both of you. And I’ll have my friend in family law go over the contract before you sign it.”

“You don’t already have one?” Regan asks. “I thought that’s why we’re here.”

“You’re here to set the terms of the contract. It’s up to you and Mr. Montana, not me. I’m just here to guide you and bring up matters you might not have thought about. That’s also why I’ll have Richard Livingston take a look at it—to make sure we covered thingsImight not have thought of. I’ll redact the names of course. Lucas came to me because he knows I’ll be discreet.” She waves a hand at the door. “Everyone in my office will be discreet.”

Regan nervously pours herself a cup of coffee from the carafe. She rips open two packets of sugar and pats them until they’re empty.

“It’s okay, Regan,” I tell her. “This is just an informal meeting. We’re not teaming up on you. This is for your benefit. You need to just tell us what you want.”

Candace holds up a hand. “Before we begin, I want to make it clear that this contract will only cover what happensafterthe baby comes. It presumes you will successfully conceive and deliver a baby. I told Mr. Montana I did not wish to take part in any preconception agreement or contract. How, if, and when you try to conceive this child is entirely up to you.”

Regan visibly relaxes, as if she thought I could somehow have legally coerced her into having sex if she doesn’t want to. I can see she’s warming up to Candace.

“Let’s start with any questions you have, Regan,” Candace says.

“I guess I want to know why Lucas needs to be protected. He’s the one with all the money.”

“Well, he will be the father. The other biological parent. It’s my understanding he wishes to be much more than just a sperm donor, and in return, he plans on providing financial support. There’s a lot that goes along with it. Why don’t we start out by listing what Mr. Montana intends to pay for.”

Both women look at me, waiting for an answer.

I hold up my hands. “Everything, I guess.”

“Define everything,” Candace says.

I pull out the itemization of expenses I’d drawn up and start going down the list. “Education. Childcare. Medical.”

Candace makes notes on her laptop. “And what about monthly child support?”

“I’ll pay whatever she wants.”

We turn to Regan. “Don’t look at me,” she says. “I have no idea what a kid costs.” She shrugs. “Like a thousand dollars a month?” Regan catches Candace’s surprised reaction. “Is that too much?”

“Here’s how this works, Regan,” Candace explains. “If both parents are in agreement, child support payments can be reduced, raised, or waived altogether. It’s important to note, however, that a judge has the right to supersede this if they feel it’s unfair. But as you’re not going through a divorce, it’s unlikely this would ever appear before a judge unless one of you so requested. So it’s basically up to the two of you to decide. But knowing this issue would come up, I did some digging. And Regan, with Mr. Montana’s current yearly salary at the winery, he’d be required by law to pay at least six times that.”

Regan’s jaw hits the table. She’s speechless. I’m fairly sure she’s calculating in her head what that adds up to. And I’m confident it’s far more than she nets owning her boutique.

I try not to smile. I don’t want Regan to think I hold all the cards here. Because it’s quite the opposite. She’s the one who can call all the shots. She’s driving this train and she doesn’t even know it.

“I… but…” She covers her mouth. “That’s ridiculous. I couldn’t possibly take that kind of money. I don’t even know what I’d spend it on. Gold encrusted onesies?”

Candace laughs, types something into the laptop, and then turns serious again. “What you need to understand, Ms. Lucas, is that Mr. Montana’s family is quite wealthy. They give him a generous salary as Chief Marketing Officer, and he’s one of four heirs of the business. Were you married and having a child together, the childandyou would benefit from that wealth. The standards for child support are set with that in mind, so the child will grow up with the same standard of living as the primary bread-winning parent. Sadly, this doesn’t happen a lot of the time.” She tilts her head toward Regan. “You’re one of the lucky ones, Regan. Lucas has indicated to me he’s eager to be generous where this child is concerned. Has he told you about his plans for a trust fund?”

“Trust fund?” Regan asks, her eyes snapping to mine.

I shrug. “I want to make sure any kids of mine are set up should anything happen to me.”

“Lucas asked me to establish a sizable fund for the child,” Candace tells her. “Should he pass before the child is twenty-five, you’ll be named trustee.”

“Me?” Regan points to herself. Then her eyes narrow and she targets me with her glare. “There’s a catch. There’s always a catch. What are you asking for in return?”

“I told you before, I just want to be involved in his or her life.”

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