Page 78 of Love on Ice

“What did your mom mean back there?” Of course, he’s going to have questions.

“At lunch last week, my mother was pressuring me to give her grandbabies because all her friends have them. I said to her maybe it would be easier if I forgot about the man and just did the baby thing myself. I’m financially independent, I can afford to do this by myself. It might not look it, but I have a family that is supportive, even if they like to overstep boundaries.”

“Is that what you want to do?”

I shrug. “Maybe. It’s not like relationships have been working out for me … no offense.”

“None taken.”

“I thought as a woman, it would be easier than getting pregnant by some guy you’re dating who ends up being anasshole, and then you’re stuck for your entire life with baby daddy drama. I’ve seen so many friends go through that when they get divorced or break up with their partners.”

“You make valid points,” he says, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Look, I’m not looking to have a baby, but I think I might investigate getting myself checked out to see what my chances are of getting pregnant. I can do the tests to check how many eggs I have. I assume I’m going to be able to get pregnant naturally for the next few years, but that might not be the case. But if I know sooner rather than later, maybe it will save me from wasting years I don’t have trying to get pregnant naturally,” I explain to him. “Wow, I’m sorry this is such an intense conversation to be having on a Sunday.”

“Guess I’ve never thought about it.”

“You don’t have to. Men can have babies till they die.”

“So, you want a family?” he asks.

“One day. I don’t see myself living in the city forever.”

“Wow. Never thought you would leave the city,” he teases.

“I’m not that much of a princess.” I glare back at him. He narrows his eyes back and we both burst out laughing. He gives me his hand and I take it. “Again, I’m sorry about that conversation.”

“It’s fine. Actually, I do have a question,” he says.

“Sure, what is it.”

“This is your official invitation to be my plus one at my brother’s wedding, in Italy. What do you say?” he asks.

“I do love Italy, but your brother isn’t a fan of mine, and this is his special day.”

“I asked him. And he said he didn’t mind you coming as my date.”

Harper looks skeptical. “He did?” I nod.

“Yes.”

“Fine, I guess I could suck it up for a weekend,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him.

“Good, because the things I have planned for you …” he growls into my ear, sending shivers over my body.

26

FELIX

“You ready to get your ass handed to you?” I ask Harper as we arrive at an axe-throwing bar.

“Please, it’s a game of skill, not brawn,” she says as we are shown to our private room. The staff run us through the dos and don’ts of axe throwing. The biggestdon’tprobably should be drinking alcohol when playing, which seems to be totally fine seeing as they brought out a beer for me to drink while I played.

“Care to put a wager on it?” I ask.

“Upping the ante.” She grins.

“If I win, you have to walk around the house in nothing but your sexiest lingerie and heels for a week.”

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