Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“I don’t know, but I think something is changing between us.”
“That’s kind of inevitable with the amount of time you’ve been spending with him.” She takes her eyes off me to order a drink for us each.
“He told me that he never wanted a relationship.”
“He also didn’t want a kid, yet here you are.” she inserts quietly.
“I know, but the thing is, I don’t want him to want to be with me just because I’m pregnant. You and I both know that is a recipe for disaster,” I whisper, and she frowns at me.
“Fran, you won’t know how this whole thing is going to play out until it plays out. Sure, you two could get together now and realize that it’s just not going to work, or you could get together and realize that maybe… it was meant to be.” She shrugs.
“I guess you’re right.” I pick up the drink the bartender places in front of me and take a sip. I haven’t had the desire to drink alcohol since I found out I was pregnant, but tonight, I really wish I could have something stronger than the sparkling water with lime Molly ordered for me. “He kissed me today.”
“You say it like it’s the first time that’s happened.”
“Because it is. I mean, besides the first night that we met, we haven’t kissed.”
“That’s shocking. There was enough sexual tension flying around in the car on the way over here that I was afraid I might get pregnant,” she says, and I laugh. “You’re telling me that just started today?”
“No. I mean… it’s always kind of been like that, but before, it was always just… an undercurrent of tension.” I chance a glance at where I left him, but he’s no longer standing near my mom nor Billy. Scanning the room, I spot him talking to my dad and a couple of other men, all of them laughing. The relief I feel that he and my dad get along is almost overwhelming. I just hope that doesn’t change after I tell my dad that he’s going to be the grandfather of Dayton’s son or daughter.
Like he can feel me looking at him, Dayton’s gaze finds mine, and he gives me a soft smile that erases all my earlier anxiety.
“I think it’s safe to say that he likes you, Fran.”
“I like him too—a lot, actually, which is scary.”
“So just take it one day at a time.” She nudges her shoulder into mine, then does it again to urge me toward a standing table away from the bar and looks around. “Okay, now we need to find someone who looks like a Christen and pretend like we’re old friends.”
Laughing, I peer around the room along with her and find a woman standing alone in a dark corner. As I start to point her out to Molly, I halt when I realize that I recognize her as the woman who was sitting outside Dayton’s office the day I told him I was pregnant.
His assistant and the woman Billy is—or was—having an affair with.
Also, the person who Dayton is supposed to be fake dating.
Though, if that is still the case, it would be obvious to anyone paying attention that they are not together. Molly and I arrived here with Dayton, not her, and even though he and I have spent most of the evening apart, I haven’t once seen the two of them talking.
As I take a sip of my drink, I study her over the rim of the glass. She’s very pretty. She also looks totally uncomfortable.
Understandable. I would be uncomfortable, too, if I had to be in the same room as the guy I’m sleeping with and his wife. Taking my eyes off her, I scan the room for Shelly, finding her and my mom still together.
I wonder if she knows that Billy’s mistress is here.
And if she doesn’t, I wonder what she would do if she found out.
Most likely nothing. She wouldn’t want to cause a scene. But that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t be embarrassed—and hurt—that she was put in that kind of situation by her husband, who is supposed to look out for her.
“What are you two doing?” A heavy arm is slung over my shoulders and Molly’s as Jacob comes to stand between us.
“Nothing.” I shake him off. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”
“Mom said she’d pay my credit card bill if I showed up.” He takes my drink from me and downs a huge mouthful. Swallowing it with a scowl, he shoves the glass back at me. “What the hell is that?” He wipes his mouth with the back of his arm.
“Sparkling water.”
“Why the hell are you drinking that?”
“I’m really starting to think Mom is paying for you to be on the dean’s list,” I mutter, and Molly laughs.