Page 28 of Can We Try?

“I’m sorry. You’re not him, and I know that. I knew it then, but I let my past and fears take hold. Thank you for being an incredible man. Thank you for sharing your family with me. I meant what I said. If this was going to happen, I’m really glad it happened with you.”

I’ve never wanted to kiss someone more in my life than I do at this moment. I want to, but I know that I can’t. Instead, I lean over the console and press my lips to her cheek. “Me too, Mags. Me too.”

“Anyway. I guess I should let you go.”

“I’ve got nowhere to be.” What I don’t say is that there is nowhere I’d rather be than with her.

“Oh, well, I was going to run into town and grab some ice cream. You’re welcome to come with me if you want.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you wanted ice cream? I could have taken you straight there.”

“I didn’t want to burden you with my ice cream craving.”

I smack lightly at my chest. “I’m the daddy. You’re doing all the hard work, so it’s my job to satisfy the cravings.”

“Fine, I’m really craving some butter pecan ice cream. The homemade kind that they sell at Pastry Heaven.”

“Mags, you know they’re closed, right?”

“I do, but did you know that Dough Daddies sells cartons?”

“What?” My mouth drops open. “How did I not know this? How, woman? You’ve been holding out on me.”

“Do you not look at the menu?”

“No. I mean, not anymore. We’ve been there so much, I have it memorized. Besides, it’s pizza. I always order my favorite. Who needs a menu for pizza?”

She’s laughing so hard her body is shaking and those perfect tits of hers bounce, which is very fucking distracting. “Maybe you should start.”

“Starting right now.” I put the truck in Reverse and pull out of her driveway. “What kind of flavors are we talking about here?”

“Does it matter?”

“No, but I’m planning on what I need to order when we get there.”

“I think it changes. They always have chocolate and vanilla. I hope they have butter pecan, but honestly, the homemade ice cream is so good, I’d settle for any of them.”

“I wonder if the guys know this?”

“I’m pretty sure Forrest does. I saw a carton in their freezer when I got ice last weekend.”

“And they didn’t tell me either? This is a travesty, I tell you.”

“You’re too much.” She giggles.

“I take my sweet consumption seriously, and do you know that I, too, have had a hankering for Pastry Heaven ice cream later in the day or night, and they close at like two in the afternoon, and I couldn’t get it? I had to settle for the store-bought stuff. Store-bought, Maggie.”

“The horror!” she gasps.

“Right?” I say. While I’m being serious, and I’m pissed that I didn’t know this about my hometown, I’m also enjoying seeing her smile. Seeing her happy makes me happy, and that’s just another reason I know we can be more. The more time I spend with her, the more of her time I want.

It’s not just the baby, although it would be awkward if I wanted her and there was some other woman having my kid. Eww, no. Just no. The thought of anyone else carrying my baby, being a mother to my child, doesn’t sit right with me.

It has to be Maggie.

It is Maggie.

Now, I just take my time and show her with actions that we are meant to be a family. I know we are. I can feel it in my bones and in my heart every time I have to go home without her.

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