Page 32 of The Complication with the Best Man

But there’s no denying I can’t outrun the fact that I’m going to be a dad.

thirteen

HARPER

Isit in Lard Have Mercy with my foot bouncing under the table, anxious for Finn to arrive. I’m not sure why. It’s not as though anything he says is going to change my decision to have this baby. But if he comes in here guns ablazing and blaming me, I’m going to fire right back. Jack was right, it took both of us to make this happen.

The bell over the door dings, and Finn walks in. He’s wearing another hoodie this morning. It’s hunter green, and he has on a pair of worn jeans. I raise my hand in greeting, and he spots me, giving me a tight smile as he winds his way through the morning crowd.

“Hey.” He slides into the booth.

Maci arrives at our table immediately to offer him coffee. She’s a second-generation Lard Have Mercy waitress as her mom used to work here back when my dad was growing up, or so I’m told. She fills his coffee and looks at me. “You sure you don’t want some, Harper? Usually, you’d be on your second refill by now.”

I play off her comment with a laugh. “I’m sure. Read a study about how too much caffeine isn’t good for you, so I’m trying to cut back.”

She shrugs and asks if we know what we want. I order some maple blueberry waffles with whipped cream, and Finn asks for bacon, eggs, and toast without looking at the menu.

“Coming right up,” Maci says and heads back to hand in our order.

“So…” I say, leaning back in the booth, needing a little more space between us.

“So.” Stress lines his face. A part of me feels bad for having been the one to inflict it, which is ridiculous. That should be the least of my worries right now.

“Listen, Finn, I just want to make something perfectly clear that I probably should have gotten out yesterday. I didn’t tell you because I don’t expect anything from you. I’m ready to do this on my own, I just… You deserved to know, that’s all. I’m not looking to blow up your life.”

He pulls the paper ring off his silverware and folds it over, making it smaller and smaller until he can’t fold it anymore. “I’m glad you told me. I mean… Jesus, my brain is still spinning, but thank you for telling me.”

I sit quietly, waiting for him to say more. It seems as if he’s still working out his thoughts.

Finally, he meets my gaze. “I know you don’t know me well, but I’m not someone who shirks my responsibilities. You didn’t find yourself in this situation on your own. I was a more than willing participant.” He chuckles. “I don’t expect you to deal with any of this on your own.”

My cheeks heat at his reference to the night we spent together.

A part of me is relieved that he wants to be involved, though I’m not sure in what capacity. It would be nice to not feel as alone as I am now. But he’s getting married in less than two months…

“I can’t imagine Tamra is going to take the news well. I’m sorry.”

Maci arrives at our table and sets our meals in front of us. “Need anything else, you guys?”

“I think we’re good. Thanks.” I give her a smile, then look over at Finn when I feel him wrap his large hand around my wrist before I can pick up my silverware.

He waits to speak until Maci is out of earshot. “You need to stop apologizing. No, Tamra is not going to be happy about this. But it’s no one’s fault. What’s done is done, and now we need to figure out the best way to move forward.”

I press my lips together and nod. “I’ll understand if she doesn’t want me to handle your wedding anymore.”

He sighs and picks up his fork. “I have to go home and talk to Tamra about what this all means, but then I’ll be back. I have a bunch of vacation days banked, so I’ll spend some time here in Lake Starlight while we figure everything out.”

“You don’t have to?—”

“I do, Harper.” He holds my stare for a beat. “I want to.”

I push back the small amount of excitement in my belly. This man is engaged to another woman, and while it’s great that he wants some kind of involvement in our child’s life, it doesn’t mean anything for us. There is no us.

“Okay.” I unwrap my silverware and pick up my knife and fork.

He nods. “In the meantime, do you need anything before I head to the airport this afternoon?”

I shake my head. “No. The next step for me is telling everyone that I’m pregnant. Not something I’m looking forward to.”

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