Page 76 of About That One Night
The fact that he knows I want to do it alone andis facilitating makes me like him even more and I probably do like him enough to want to spend the rest of my life with him. Do I love him? In my current state I don’t trust my heart so I don’t even dare to go there. Not now.
But maybe, I should stop letting the ‘what-ifs’ nag me. Sure, he might get cold feet when the baby is crying, but I do believe he’ll be protective and loving toward our baby. I have to have a little more faith in the playboy and in us.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Zoe
“I’m confused,”Lily says as she steps onto the balcony where I’m already sitting, drinking some lemonade and practicing my speech.
“Hi,” I greet her with a smile. “Wine, lemonade . . . margaritas?”
She frowns, narrowing her gaze. “I’m not sure what’s more alarming, that you’re in Max’s penthouse settled as if it’s your place or himsaying, ‘Babe’s outside on the balcony waiting for you.’” Lily attempts to imitate his voice but fails miserably.
“He sounds nothing like that,” I point out, trying to lighten the mood.
She gives me an unamused glare. “Seriously, you’re going to discuss my poor imitation skills instead of telling me why my husband’s best friend is calling youbabe?”
I take a deep breath, fidgeting with my glass. “It’s a term of endearment. Not sure why he referred to me as babe. Though, he’s tried ‘baby’ too, but it’s not working well. Especially when in seven months our baby will be born and that’ll be ‘baby’ so . . .” I shrug as if saying,What can you do? It’s all complicated, so just go with it.
“A baby?” she shrieks, her eyes widening. “You’re telling me you’re having a child with Maximillian McCallister? Zoe Isabella Harper, are you pranking me?”
I shake my head, remaining calm because she’s freaking out enough for the both of us.
“You know that crying, feeling like I have no energy, and everything else?” I ask, hoping she calms down and doesn’t ask her husband to take Max down. My baby needs a father and I’m fond of Max—and his kisses.
“Yes, and we’re all concerned. You went to the doctor and haven’t told us what happened.” Lily sighs, her expression softening. “We’re giving you space, but also researching specialists, just in case . . .”
“I’m pregnant,” I say calmly and tell her aboutthe appointment, and the tests, and show her the sonogram with the picture of my little one.
“I’m going to be an aunt.” She starts sobbing and hugs me tightly. We both end up a sobbing mess, hugging each other and laughing through our tears, the weight of my secret finally lifting off my shoulders.
Relief washes over me. Lily’s okay with it, and that’s pretty much all I care about. Mom might freak out and demand I marry—Dad will support her because that’s what he does. Then, Cleo is going to make a big deal out of it and make it all about her because she can. My brother will ignore me and probably send something if there’s a baby shower.
Then . . . well, then there’s Max’s family. Audrey will be elated just like Lily, but I’m afraid of her mother. She’s going to go Grandmazilla on me—if that’s even a term.
“Though, I’m happy for you because I know how much you want a family.” Lily clears her throat. “Umm, can you explain the whole Max is the dad thing? I mean, you can barely stand each other. How did you go from I can’t be close to him to I’m having his baby?”
I laugh, a mix of nerves and genuine amusement bubbling up. It’s easy and yet complicated to explain our relationship. She listens, engrossed with the story, sipping her wine.
“Why didn’t I notice the chemistry between you two?” she asks, her eyes widening as if now that I’m telling her she can see the chemistry, the sexualtension, and everything that was happening while Max and I were teasing each other.
And that’s when it hits me. This is probably why I’m having a hard time believing Max that he’s in love with me, because he’s good at hiding his feelings and acting like nothing affects him. He hides behind bad jokes, teasing, and pranks all the time. It’s easier for me to believe that there’s nothing between us.
“When are you telling our parents?” Lily asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
I shrug, my stomach knotting at the prospect. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. I only wanted you to know. The rest is extra and will have to happen soon. But we know how things are going to develop, don’t we?”
She nods, a sympathetic smile on her face. “Cleo is going to make this all about herself.”
“Exactly. I really don’t have the bandwidth for her.” I groan, rubbing my temples.
The glass door slides open, and Ethan appears, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. “So, what do you want me to do with him, Lil?”
Lily laughs, her eyes twinkling. “Max told you?”
“Yeah. My best friend is going to be a father.” Ethan runs a hand through his hair. “I just don’t understand why I didn’t see it. Cal and Jacob mentioned he had a crush on her a few months ago, but I thought they were just ganging up on him.”
I feel a warmth spreading through my chest. “Let him live,” I say, my lips curving into a smile. “I’m kind of fond of the guy, and he’s the father of mychild. That’s a pretty important role if you think about it.”
