Page 18 of The Complication with the Best Man

“But do you think I can do it? You were a single mom. Can I handle it?”

My aunt left my uncle when she was still pregnant with Palmer, and he didn’t come back into their lives until Palmer was eighteen months old.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s hard, though you’ve never shied away from a challenge. But, Harp, did he say he didn’t want to be a part of the baby’s life?”

I shake my head and divert eye contact before explaining what happened last night at Palmer’s house when I was ready to tell him, but he told me he was engaged first. “Everything has just gotten so much more complicated.”

She sighs. “Yes, that definitely makes this all the more sensitive, but he deserves to know. You have to tell him.”

“I will. I’m just not sure when.” I groan and flop back into the couch. “I don’t know what’s worse—the idea of telling Finn or telling my parents.”

Aunt Sedona sighs and presses her hand on my leg. “Harper, your parents love you more than anything in this world. They’re going to be here to support you. Don’t doubt their love.”

I sit up. “I’m always disappointing them. I’m failing them when I just want to make them proud. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

She grips my hand again, squeezing it between both of hers. “Why do you think you haven’t made them proud?”

I roll my eyes and chuckle. “What’s to be proud of? I’m almost thirty, with no real accomplishments in my life to speak of. I’m single and knocked up with a stranger’s baby, and he’s about to be married.” I point at myself. “And I’m his wedding planner!” I groan and throw myself back down into the couch.

“Stop putting yourself down. I know you feel as if you’re in Easton’s shadow, but just because you don’t hit homeruns in a baseball stadium doesn’t mean that what you’re doing with your life is any less of an accomplishment.”

“He’s a professional baseball player. He’s hit a level most never do. It’s insane to think that out of all the baseball players everywhere, my brother is one of the select few to really make it big and make a name for himself in the league.”

She tilts her head in a calm manner. “Yes, Easton is a great baseball player. And he worked hard to get there. But you work hard too. And your parents do not have favorites. They love and believe in you just as much as they do Easton.”

“Hmm… I’m not sure, but I think the tables have definitely turned now,” I mumble, looking down at my stomach.

“Yes, your pregnancy will surprise people, there’s no stopping that. But once the shock wears off, they’ll be happy to have another little one in our family, especially your parents.” She pokes my arm. “You’re having the first grandchild.”

“From a one-night stand.”

“Hey, you want me to tell you about the Buzz Wheel post about your mom and dad in the back seat of his Jeep?—”

“God no.”

She laughs. “You’re being too hard on yourself. And you can do this, Harper. You’ll be a great mom. Look how good you are with Adley.”

I love that kid as if she’s my own, but there’s a difference between being the fun aunt and being the person responsible for making all the decisions and raising a child to be a good person.

“I guess.”

She nods as if I’m in complete agreement about my mothering skills.

“Thank you for talking to me. Obviously, don’t say anything to anyone yet.”

She moves her fingers over her mouth as if she’s zipping her mouth closed. “My lips are sealed.”

I lean in for a hug, trying my best to soak in the confidence she has in me. “Thanks for letting me vent.”

“Anytime, sweetheart. If you need to talk some more come by any time, all right?”

We pull away, and she opens her mouth but shuts it.

“Be careful, I might be over here every day,” I say.

“That’s okay.”

I have to figure out when and how I’m going to tell Finn about the pregnancy. There’re already too many people who know besides him, and I’m afraid that if I don’t tell him soon, someone else will. I’m not blind to the town I live in and how there are eyes everywhere.

---