Page 52 of One Timer With A Wingman

I head back to the house to get some work done, but I’m not efficient because I am thinking about all the ways my life is going to change. At a quarter to eleven, I ask Cade if I can borrow the snow brush for his car and I take an Uber back to Black Jack’s. As I predicted, her car is covered in snow, so I start to brush it off.

I don’t realize the time when the staff is leaving Black Jack’s.

Briar walks over to her car. “Aaron?” she asks with confusion. “What are you doing?”

“I didn’t want you to have to start cleaning the car after your shift,” I say.

“I really want to be mad at you for going overboard right now. I told you I can take care of myself, but it is sweet and considerate,” she admits, which is good because the first part of her sentence made my stomach drop out. I don’t want there to be conflict between us.

“It’s my pleasure, Briar.”

“You know I could do it myself?” she says.

“I know, but I don’t want you to have to.”

“Thanks, Aaron.”

She moves to get in the SUV and looks around. “How did you get here?”

“Uber.”

“Come, I’ll drop you off at your house,” she says.

She knows where I live because now we have both Charlie and Ruby living with us.

“Thanks.”

We get in the car and she starts to drive.

“So tomorrow, are you cool with telling my parents about the pregnancy with me?” I ask.

“Why do you want me there?” she asks.

“Because you’re the mom. You’re going to be a part of all of our lives. My parents will want to meet you,” I explain.

“My parents still haven’t gotten back to me,” she says.

“I’m sorry.” I don’t have something better.

“Mom and Dad are really great,” I tell her.

“But aren’t they going to be pissed about this whole situation?” she asks.

“Honestly, I don’t know what to expect. With Mom being sick, I’m worried as heck that I’m going to upset her. Dad and I have been trying to make everything as easy as possible for her.”

“And here you go on vacation and get a strange girl pregnant.”

“There’s nothing strange about you, beautiful. I’ve made that clear from day one,” I declare. We arrive on my driveway and Briar looks at me like she doesn’t know what to make of me. “I told you about Mom off the bat. I hadn’t even told my best friends and she’s been sick for a while.”

She looks away from me.

“Okay, well, thanks for the ride,” I say.

“Thanks for cleaning my car. Please don’t make a habit out of it.” She is smiling so I take it as a good sign.

“I’ll do my best, but I’m not making promises. Did you end up eating dinner?” I ask.

“No, but I need you to stop asking me if I ate too,” she pouts.

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