Page 25 of Attraction

Kat can’t help but notice how polite and respectful she is. There’s a weird kind of aura around the girl. Kat can sense it.

Rosie feels uncomfortable. Kat’s everything she’s not. Tall, strong, dominant. And the atmosphere between them makes her feel anxious. She fiddles with her bag, nervously smiling while Kat pours her a large glass of cold orange juice.

“So, you livin’ here with Diggs now?” Rosie asks.

“What? Oh, no… Well, actually… yes—but not like that. We’re not, you know, together. It’s just somewhere for me to stay until I get somewhere of my own. It’s just temporary.”

“You work with him?” She grins, tipping her cute little face to one side, waiting for an answer. Rosie knows Digby’s a soldier. She also knows he disappears for days because of his work. But that’s about all she knows, or understands, and being truthful, she’s not really interested beyond that. Digby’s a good-looking guy that she loves to fuck—end of story.

“Yeah, kind of….” Kat smiles, cautious in her reply, uncertain how much this girl knows about what Digby does. “I’m a doctor,” she says, thinking that may be sufficient to explain why she’s there.

“So, you fuckin’ him?”

“What?!” Kat chokes. The directness of the question takes her by surprise, and she’s not sure how to respond. Should she tell the truth, or choose the less hurtful response—a lie? Her smile drops and she takes a deep breath. She answers, “Um, no, no we’re not… no.” Kat swallows, stuttering, anxious about the lie she’s told.Are they fucking?No.Did they fuck?Yes. It’s the only way to justify it. “Rosie, could I say something?”

“Sure honey, you can say whatever you want, I’m listenin’.”

“You do know you don’t have to do this? What I mean is this thing about having a baby with Digby. You’re young and you don’t need to get tied down to someone like him—not at your age. You’ll have plenty of time for babies in the future. There really is no rush.”

“But I wanna have a baby and Digg’s is gonna give me one. Hey, I won’t get an offer like this every day. Especially not if he and you… well, you know, become a couple.”

“I told you, there’s nothing between us. Sure it’s fine you want a baby; I totally get that. For some women, it’s a priority. But why don’t you wait? Find someone who can be there for you and the baby. Digby… well, he’s not that kind of guy. He’s not fatherhood material, despite what he might promise you.”

“I don’t need him to be there for me. And anyway, it’s just meant to be this way.” She smiles sweetly. “Are you jealous? Because you know I can’t compete with you.”

“What…?” Kat frowns, confused. “No, no, I’m not jealous. I told you there’s nothing between us. It’s just…” She sighs. “Do you really want a baby with Digby or is he pushing you into it? I mean, for God’s sake, how old are you? And what are your parents going to say? I’m sure they won’t be happy about this. They’ll have to provide support for you, to bring up a baby.”

Rosie frowns and becomes irritated. Her tone becomes more assertive, feeling as though she needs to defend her choices. “Hey, I’ll have you know my parents are thrilled. They couldn’t be happier, the fact that Diggs agreed to do this withme,for my family, and that they’re going to be gettin’ a grandbaby. So, with all due respect to you…” She suddenly becomes mindful of her words and keeps it polite. “Keep your nose out.”

“Really? Wait, you’re saying your parents are okay with this?” Kat doesn’t understand. But there’s no time for further questioning, as Digby, having finished his shower, re-joins them.

Both women’s eyes light up as they look at him, only a small towel wrapped around his waist. His hands above his head, his toned damp chest is on display as he dries his hair.

He frowns with concern. Watching the pair of them, he can sense an atmosphere. “Ladies…., somethin’ goin’ on here?”

“No. No, we’re fine.” Kat grins, sipping from her glass of juice.

“She’s just tryin’ to talk me out of havin’ a baby with you.”

“She’s what?” He frowns, annoyed. To Kat he says, “you are? And why would you do that?”

“No, it’s not that. I just… well, I just think she’s too young. A baby with you? Seriously? This could ruin her life—limit her potential. I mean, she could go to college or anything. A baby would tie her down. I just don’t think you’ve both thought this through.”

“And why do you think that’s any of yourdamnbusiness?”

“I didn’t. That’s not how I meant it. I just think she has options.”

“Options? Are you fuckin’ serious? No, the options are you stay out of things that don’t concern you. What Rosie does, it’s her choice, her business, notyours.” He’s become aggressive and angry. His blue eyes glare defensively.

Kat’s not scared but she takes a deep breath as she stares back at him. “Look, all I was saying is she has plenty of time for a baby. She doesn’t need to do this right now, and definitely not with you. I mean c’mon, you’re hardly around much and not exactly what I would call‘good father’material, are you?”

“Hey, take that back! I’ll have you know, I take care of all my kids. I send money every month and for birthdays, Christmas, college fees. My kids, they don’t go without. That’s what I’m here for—to provide. Their mothers, take good care of them, too.”

Whilst Kat doesn’t get his dated views on raising children, what takes her most by surprise is that he already has them.

“Oh yeah….” Rosie interrupts. Now standing next to Digby, her hands on his chest tucked up close under his arm. She looks tiny compared to his taller, much bigger body, but strangely there’s something about her touching him, like this, it rankles with Kat and she frowns—glaring.

A growling snarl sticks in her throat. “You have kids?”

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