Page 84 of The Baby Bargain
Ariel isn't broken or damaged or confused. Yeah, she's hurting over her ex. She's in a tough spot. She's young.
But she knows what she wants.
She tells me when I'm overstepping.
She demands people meet her needs.
For all intents and purposes, Ariel is a well-functioning, well-adjusted member of society.
If I'm not trying to fix her, maybe I won't break her worse.
Maybe I can actually help her.
Maybe it will be good for me.
Even if it hurts worse when we part. Hell, that's progress. I'm thinking about another woman. Wanting more time with another woman.
If it was just sex, it would be an easy question.
But it's more than sex. There's another life at stake. A tiny, helpless life.
There's a big part of me that thinks it's best I stay away. I can't fuck it up if I'm not involved.
Then there's this other part, the one that can't stop imagining a kid in tiny black Converse.
"Fuck, what happened to you?" Wes interrupts my quiet contemplation. He's leaning against the shop window, sucking cold brew through a straw. He takes a long look at me and shakes his head. "You start obsessing over Grace's Facebook or something?"
No, I haven't checked her social media in forever. Since she posted the pic with the musician.
She looked so fucking happy.
I want that for her. I do. It's just—
Why couldn't I accomplish that?
"You got me." I make a show of rolling my eyes, but it doesn't come across as playful. More pained.
Wes's nose scrunches. "It's not about Grace?"
"I have work to do."
"You're an hour early." He follows me into the shop. Offers me his cold brew.
I take a sip. It's good shit. Rich, creamy, a little sweet. "Have to catch up on design."
"Here?" Wes raises a brow. "And not at your apartment? Where it's quiet? And free of irritating family members?"
I can't help but laugh.
"So it's not hopeless." He smiles. "That's a start."
I hand back his cold brew. "A lot on my mind."
"Isn't there always?"
"Not all of us are as enlightened as you."
He nodstrue. "It is freeing, only thinking of babes and wine."
