Page 41 of The Complication with the Best Man

“No, I think he’s a good one. But we’re just coparents.”

He laughs again. “So were Uncle Rome and Aunt Harley. If you follow in their footsteps, you’ll have enough kids that Mom and Dad will lay off me entirely.”

“Funny, East. Let me get through this one and make sure I don’t screw them up.” I run my hand over my stomach. Although flat, it still shocks me that my baby is growing inside me.

“You won’t.”

I don’t say anything.

“You know that, right, Harp? Sure, you might have to pick him or her up from preschool because they threw a pencil at someone or some shit. And I’m pretty sure the sheriff might be your best friend when they’re a teenager, but you’re not going to screw him or her up. You’re going to be a great mom.”

Tears well in my eyes. “Jeez, thanks for reminding me I can no longer control my emotions.” I wipe my face with the back of my hand.

“What’s a big brother for? Sorry to cut this short, but I gotta get to the airport to lose another fucking game.”

“Good luck tonight.”

He laughs. “Congratulations. Next time, I’m at least your third call, okay?”

“Sure… and East?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.” I hope he hears the weight of my words. I’m not just thanking him for calling me, but more for his affirmation that I’ve got this.

“Anytime. Also, we might suck, but that kid is a Colts fan. Remember that.”

“He or she will only wear your jersey. I promise.”

“Good. Love you.”

“I love you too.”

We say goodbye, and I feel a lot better, though the number of calls and texts to return is still daunting.

Maven will have already left to open up Bloom, so I plan to swing by before I go into the office and let her know what’s going on. She’s welcome to stay here as long as she doesn’t mind the spare bedroom turning into a nursery and an infant for a roommate.

The other thing I have to do is talk to Maven’s mom, my aunt Stella. She’s a family doctor, and I’m hoping she’ll agree to see me for my first appointment at least. All of this is so new, and I’d be much more comfortable if I saw my aunt.

I lie in bed longer than I should, trying to picture what the next year is going to look like for me. Certainly not how I thought it would. But for the first time since I found out, that doesn’t feel like a bad thing.

I’m determined to do right by this baby, and today is the first step.

* * *

I pace my living room,waiting for Finn to arrive. He texted me a half hour ago to let me know he’d be here soon.

I’m not sure why, but this conversation feels more monumental than the one when I told him I was pregnant. Maybe because I’m assuming he’s going to tell me how he really feels about all this now that he’s had time to think on it. That, and I’m expecting to hear that Tamra was very displeased by the news, and I feel badly for that too.

When I hear his car pull up outside, I rush to the front window and pull the drapes back to see a truck I don’t recognize. That must be Finn in his rental car. I blow out a breath and walk over to open the door.

I put more effort into my appearance today since the last time he saw me, I looked like I was auditioning for the role of a woman who’d given up on life.

The truck door opens, and Finn steps out, giving me a tight smile. He’s dressed in a pair of jeans and a deep green Henley, and damn he looks good. What else is new though? I really wish he wasn’t this good-looking.

I’m beginning to wonder if my attraction to him will ever fade. Are we going to be celebrating our son or daughter’s thirteenth birthday, and I’ll still be gazing across the table at him in awe? It’s then I remember that even if that is the case, he won’t be alone. Tamra will be there on his arm. That’s the splash of cold water I need right now.

“Hey, how was your flight?” I ask as I step aside to let him in.

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