Page 26 of Time Out

Mine had never shined in the first place, but I could see his point. “You want some? Kids, I mean.”

“Heck yeah, I do.” The elevator opened, and I stepped in. “Why? You offering to help me out with that?”

It was a tease. Will didn’t really flirt with me. Personally, I think he enjoyed trying to embarrass me. And as far as getting pregnant… if he only knew.

I swallowed down my secret and shoved his shoulder. “Not a chance in the world, Will.”

“I’m hurt. Truly.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “Even if I was the last man alive?”

“Fine.” I’d play his mindless game. “If we were stranded on a deserted island and the fate of the world rested in our hands and procreation was required to save the human race, sure, Will. I’ll help you out then.”

“So you’re saying there’s a chance.”

I laughed as I walked off the elevator, shaking my head at him. “Have fun back in the kitchens.”

“See you later, future baby mama.”

Elsie lifted her head from the hostess stand. “Baby mama?”

“It’s nothing. Will’s joking around.”

“Really?” She swiveled and watched as he walked away. It really wasn’t a bad view. “Kind of skinny for my usual type, but I wouldn’t say no.”

“He seems a bit lonely. Maybe you two could end Christmas together.”

A mischievous grin appeared. “Now that would be a gift.”

“I’ll let you unwrap that one.”

“Thanks.” She grinned, and we both laughed.

Several hours later, my shift was done, and my pocket was full of cash tips in addition to the twenty percent required tips included in large groups. I was bone-weary exhausted, barely able to keep my eyes awake, but my shift was over.

By the time I returned to my apartment, I was barely able to stay awake long enough to open my door. As soon as I was inside, I managed to kick off my shoes before collapsing onto the worn, threadbare used couch I’d bought on Facebook Marketplace.

It hadn’t been my first Christmas alone, and it hadn’t even been my worst Christmas, but as my eyes closed and sleep pulled me under, I didn’t think I’d ever felt so lonely.

Chapter 9

Davis

“I need to talk to you.”

Dawson Butler stared at me like I’d just asked him to sell me his soul. He wasn’t that much older than me, and he liked to call me kid, which was obnoxious, but I trusted him.

Christmas Day passed with me avoiding everyone, kicking myself for the way I handled the interaction with Maggie. I had no idea how to find her. No way to contact her.

Somewhere in Nashville, there was a woman carrying around my child who thought I only wanted to offer her money, and I was desperate to fix it. Not telling my parents yesterday had been one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do, and then I’d avoided everyone else’s texts asking if I wanted to spend the day with them.

Instead, I’d wandered the streets, peering into every restaurant and bar, like Maggie would appear out of nowhere. Hell, for all I knew, she’d had plans with her own family. The problem was I didn’t know anything.

It was driving me crazy.

“Talk to me about what?”

“I need some help.”

A devilish gleam hit Dawson’s dark-brown eyes, and he clamped a hand onto my shoulder. “Okay, kid. So when a boy likes a girl a whole lot, and you want to be close to her—”

---