Page 39 of Single Chance

“She doesn’t have insurance or money,” I said. “She could move in rent-free. I could make sure she’s eating well and doing healthy stuff for the baby.”

“She can get her own insurance policy without marrying your dumb ass.”

“It’ll be expensive.”

“For fuck sure. But so would a divorce.”

“Okay, so I don’t need to marry her.” That was a relief if I was honest.

“Sure as shit don’t.” West scoffed. “If you suggested marrying her, you’d come across as a chest-beating control freak who doesn’t think she can make it on her own.”

I considered that and realized he could be right. Control wasn’t what drove me. I wanted to help her out. But I could see where that could be misinterpreted. “So what do I do then?”

“You’ve decided you’re gonna be in the kid’s life?”

I nodded. West did too.

“She can sign up for insurance,” he said.

“I’ll offer her our spare bedroom.”

West scoffed. “How’s that gonna play with Sam?”

I clenched my jaw tight because that was a prime concern. “I’m in a tight spot. Sam and I had a minor breakthrough the other night when she let me comfort her.”

“And now you wanna move in your lady.”

“Rowan isnotmy lady.”

“Just your baby mama.” West shook his head as if I was screwed, which I pretty much was.

“I won’t tell Sam that right away. I’ll give her some time to get used to Rowan.”

“You think Rowan will go for this plan?”

“I don’t think she has much of a choice. You know how tough it is to find a long-term rental here.”

“I don’t know your lady?—”

“She’s not my lady,” I repeated.

“But nobody likes to feel cornered.”

“I’m not cornering her. I’m offering her a solution to a problem.”

He eyed me, nodding, looking pensive. “Say she says yes, moves in, somehow Sam comes around. Rowan gets big with your baby. You work together, live together, go to childbirth classes together. You really think you’re not gonna fall for this girl?”

I was worried as fuck about falling for this girl, but I’d get through being roommates. It wouldn’t be forever.

“Would you suggest I just leave her to live in some shitty apartment with black mold and leaky windows while she brews my child?” I shot back.

“Fuck. Course not. I don’t think you have much of a choice but to offer.”

“That’s the conclusion I keep coming to.”

“But don’t fucking marry her.”

I nodded, knowing he was right.

---