Page 71 of Cass

“That didn’t happen overnight, Reagan. She worked her ass off to get her body back.”

“I know she did. Look at Harley. It’s only been a few weeks, and she looks bikini-runway-model ready. No one would guess she ever had a baby, let alone a few weeks ago, and two in one year.”

“Harley is a freak of nature. They should study her body for scientific purposes.” We both laugh at that.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close. “Aunt Cass, I’m genuinely not worried about my body. I’m young. I’m active. I’ll bounce back. I want to do this for you.” I start to tear. “Ireallywant to do this. You don’t understand what you mean to us. To me. You’re family. These are the kind of sacrifices you make for family.”

She’s now tearing too. “It would screw up your sex life.”

I smile. “I thought of that. I think there are men out there with a pregnant woman kink. I think it could expose me to a whole new world of freaks. I’ll be good.” We both laugh.

“At least it’s nine months of me not having to worry about getting pregnant.” We both laugh again.

“Reagan, I know you like to fuck around, but one day you will meet someone.The one. How’s it going to go down when you have to explain that you’ve had a baby for someone else?”

“If a man doesn’t understand why I did it for you, then he’s not really worth having in my life. He’s certainly notthe one.”

“You have an answer for everything.”

“Because I’ve genuinely thought it through. I love you. I’m going to do this for you.”

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

CASSANDRA

For a fifty-year-old, successful, professional woman, I feel an awful lot like I’m a sixteen-year-old about to walk the plank.

I slowly make my way into the swanky restaurant to meet my lunch date. I’m fifteen minutes early, but I see she’s already sitting at our table. Her back is to me.

I get to the table. “Hi, Melissa. Thanks for meeting me.”

She doesn’t stand to greet me, but at least says, “I’m glad we’re doing this. Please, have a seat.” She motions toward the seat across from her.

I sit and subsequently order us a bottle of wine. I think we’ll both need it for this conversation. Jackson gave me the heads up on Melissa’s favorite wines. She seems impressed that I know what she likes.

“Let me guess. You asked Jackson what to order to soften me up?”

I smile. “Maybe just a little bit. I guess he knows you well.”

“He does. He always paid attention. He’s a good man. He was a considerate husband, and now he’s a good friend. We just weren’t right for each other. Something was always missing. We both knew it. I’m genuinely happy he found Darian. They seem very happy together. He deserves that.”

“So does she. They’re extremely happy together. She had a long, tough road after her first husband passed, but finding Jackson changed things dramatically for her.”

“That’s what my boys tell me. I suppose it gives me hope.”

“I know plenty of men our age. I’m happy to fix you up.” I smirk at her.

“Yet none of them were good enough for you. You had to go and rob the cradle.”

I laugh. I walked right into that one. “I guess you’re right.”

“I appreciate the offer. I think I’m doing okay for myself though.” She gives me a wink. I think under different circumstances, she and I could actually be friends.

Our wine arrives, and we each take a few sips in silence. “Cassandra, I doubt you invited me here today to chat about Darian or to play matchmaker for me. Why don’t we get straight to it?”

I nod. “Okay. I invited you here today because you’re important to Trevor. He loves you, and it upsets him that you and I don’t quite see eye-to-eye. He’s upset you’re not accepting of our relationship. I don’t wantanythingto upset him. He deserves all good things in his life.”

“On that, you and I agree. He does deserve all good things, including children. I might feel differently if he were a different type of man, but you must recognize that he’s the type of man who should be a father. He’ll be an amazing father. I’m not trying to be a bitch, Cassandra. I’m really not. It’s not personal. It’s not about you per se. I simply don’t want him robbed of that opportunity.”

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