Page 74 of The Baby Bargain
She deserves the best.
Not an asshole who misrepresents his height.
Okay, the difference is an inch or two at most. And maybe I'm not the person to judge. Most guys under six feet tall look the same to me.
Height isn't important.
As long as he's healthy and he treats her well—
Fuck, how do you judge what matters in a sperm donor who's doing things the old-fashioned way?
I fix my drink, take a seat, pull my sketchbook and pencils from my pocket. So it's not obvious I'm eavesdropping.
Tomorrow morning's design stares back at me. A couple's tattoo. A locked heart and a key. Classic. Simple. Perfect.
Loving someone enough to mark your skin—
I used to be there. I was there. I thought it meant we were forever.
But the ink stays longer than the relationship.
I should text this duo. Tell them they're making a mistake. That they'll grow to regret this decision.
I want to. Everything inside me screamsrun the fuck away.
But I can't. They're happy. They're in love. Nothing I say will get through.
I remember that feeling—like someone else completes you, like you can't live without them, like you want nothing more than their happiness.
My heartbeat picks up as Ariel steps inside. She waves to Bachelor Number One.
It's a big, friendly wave. A lot. But he just smiles, endeared.
She crosses the room to meet him.
They shake. Exchange hellos and names.
He motions to the line. She nodsthanks, follows him to the counter, lets him pay for her drink.
She's good at this. Better than she thinks she is. Better than she has any right to be.
That shouldn't be surprising.
Yeah, Ariel is a little blunt and unaware of social mores, but she's passionate, charming, smart.
What guy wouldn't fall in love with her?
I hate to admit it, but Bachelor Number One is a gentleman. He waits for her drink to arrive, leads her back to the table, leans in for personal conversation.
I only catch a few things. Normal date stuff. Where they're from. His classes at UCLA. His love of smart women.
Her love of athletes. (Her ex was a swimmer).
His soccer scholarship.
How me must have strong legs.
How much she wants to feel those legs against her palms. Around her hips—
