Page 58 of The Hard Hitter

“You like him, like him.”

I go quiet and think about that. Yes, I do like him like him. I should have known better than to get involved with a guy like Zander. But at first I didn’t know how sweet and caring he was under that perfect muscular package and handsome face.

I think back to what he said about all my ex-boyfriends. He said none of it was on me, that it wasn’t me who ruined things. Was he right? I don’t know, but I’m scared to try. If I really gave Zander my heart and in the end, I messed things up, I’m not so sure I could ever be put back together again.

But if I don’t try, don’t ever see where we could go, I could spend the rest of my life asking what if.

Then another though hits.

What does Zander want?

He’s as afraid of love as I am, has had so many women turn their back on him, on Daisy. Does he think I’m the type who would do that?

Quinn pulls into Zander’s driveway and turns to me. “Why so quiet?”

I plaster on a smile and reach for the door handle. “Just thinking,” I say, and I’m glad when she doesn’t push it. We gather the kids, and for a brief second I imagine what life would be like if Daisy was mine, if I did live here with Zander, and got to hang out with Quinn all the time. It all feels so real and wonderful…and the scariest thing about that visual is just how much I want it.

We take the kids inside and she takes Scotty upstairs to change him, while I settle Daisy at the kitchen table with a coloring book. She sits quietly and mumbles about Paw Patrol, and Scotty smelling bad, and talks about a few of her other friends at the daycare. My heart trembles for the child. It must be so incredibly hard on her when her daddy is away at hockey.

Quinn comes back, and Daisy drops to the floor with Scotty to play with some toys. “I think Scotty needs a sibling,” Quinn says, and looks up at me with a grin on her face.

“Wait…what are you telling me?”

She chuckles and steps closer. “Don’t say anything, it’s early yet,” she says, putting her hand on her stomach. “We’re not telling anyone until the third trimester but…I’m pregnant. We just found out, and if I didn’t soon tell someone I was going to burst!”

I pull my friend into my arms and give her a big hug. Tears prick my eyes. “I’m so happy for you, Quinn.”

“I like the idea of having them close in age. It won’t be easy, but I want them to be best friends, like Zander and I are. And I’m sure Daisy will love to have another cousin, especially another girl to play with.” Quinn smiles as Daisy hands Scotty a toy.

“She will,” I say. “I was an only child and would have loved to have a brother or a sister.”

“Well, you’re here with Zander, so you can consider me your sister,” she says, and gives me another hug that nearly has me crying like a baby.

I sniff to hide it, and when she pulls away, I ask, “Are you going to tell, Zander?”

“Jonah is. He probably already has.”

Needing a reprieve from all the emotions welling up inside me, I point to the fridge. “Okay, we’d better get the salads ready before the guys get back.”

“Look at you, putting a pregnant lady to work.” She laughs and opens the fridge. “Have you ever thought about having kids?” she asks. We’re friends, but we’ve never really discussed this topic before.

“I have,” I say, but don’t elaborate. She doesn’t need to know that I’ve been thinking about a clinic. I’m sure most people would balk at the idea. We make small talk and fix the salads and marinate the steak. By the time we’re done, the kids are fussing.

“Hey Scotty, how about a fast swim and then a nap,” Quinn says as she picks him up.

“I don’t want a nap,” Daisy says.

“How about a swim then,” I say, and wink at Quinn. Daisy is rubbing her tired little eyes, and playtime in the pool will certainly wear her out more.

“Wait, I don’t have a suit,” I say.

“I have extras. We’re about the same size.”

“Uh, not really.”

“You have more curves than me, which, by the way, I’m quite jealous of.”

“Oh, please.”

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