Page 62 of Lyrical

“You told me before that you always wanted more kids.”

“Yes, before. But that window has closed. If I were Chase’s age? Yes, I’d definitely consider it. Probably more than consider it. But since I’m not Chase’s age, there’s nothing to consider.”

“You’re saying ‘consider’ a lot.”

“So?”

“So, maybe that’s the magic word. Maybe it means you should consider it.”

I shook my head. “That’s ridiculous.”

“And your window might be closing, but it’s definitely not closed. Many women have babies way older than you.”

“Notwayolder.”

She sighed. “God, Jills. You’re probably healthier than I am. Your mom was older and had great pregnancies, so I don’t think age would be that much of an issue for you here. This could be your chance to have another child with someone you love more than anything. You’re going to be married someday, anyway. That baby would be so lucky to have the two of you as parents.” She latched onto my arm, squeezing. “Ohmigod!” she squealed. “You guys would have the most beautiful baby together.”

“Stop it, Perry.”

“Holy shit! Do you know what would be incredible? You know that Stephen and I want kids too. We should get pregnant together. How awesome would that be? Then they can grow up the same age and—”

The rap on the window scared the shit out of me, making us both jump. Stephen was holding up a couple burgers under an umbrella, but we shook our heads. I could wait until we got inside where the food was hot and dry.

He sloshed away, and Perry looked back at me. “So, what do you think about my plan?”

“I’m thinking that I really want you to stop talking this way. Please?” I was wondering if I should have even mentioned it to her, but I needed my best friend.

“Okay. I know the middle of the story but not the beginning and end. How did it all come up, anyway?”

“It was all made worse because I was even more horned up from—”

“My Box o’ Porn?”

I smiled. “No, Perry. I was going to say the timing of my cycle.”

She tapped her fingers over her lips. “Oh, yes. Fertility time. Mother Nature’s such a whore.” I nodded.And a sneaky one at that.“But a good whore, Jills. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have so many of those cute bunnies and baby deer running around.”

“And baby turkeys?”

“No, she needs her fucking tubes tied for that shit.”

“Anyway. I was way too worked up, and we ran out of condoms, and that’s how it started. He wanted to talk about what would happen if we didn’t use any.”

“That’s hot.”

I gave her a sideways glance. “Not really.”

“A guy you’re madly in love with, who madly loves you back, wants to make a baby with you and be forever there to help raise it? Pretty damn hot.”

“Forever is never guaranteed. We have our love now, but there’s nothing tying us together. We haven’t even known each other a year yet.”

“Whatever. So, how did it finish?”

“By me saying it wasn’t a conversation I felt we needed to have because there wasn’t anything to discuss. I wasn’t flippant or mean about it whatsoever, just honest.”

“Ouch.”

“What does that mean?”

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