“But Bash wanted to clear the runway so he could make his move, the dog.”
I laugh, nodding. “Probably. I’ll say this—you were already on my mind. I didn’t need a lot of encouragement to seek you out.”
Her eyes go serious. “Then why didn’t you just come over after that weekend? I don’t live that far from you.”
“I stayed home for the rest of spring break and helped my parents with Gramps, who had a surgery. By the time I got back to Charming, I’d already sent you a million messages. Since I hadn’t heard back, I started to second-guess everything that had happened between us.”
“Is Gramps okay?”
“Yeah. He’s had some issues with his diabetes, but he’s doing better.”
Her head tilts and all of her hair cascades down her shoulder. “I’m sorry I assumed the worst about you.”
My mom always says never ask the question if you don’t want to hear the answer, but I have to know. “Which was?”
“That I was a smash-and-dash. That perhaps a one-night stand was your way to get back at me for all the shitty things I’ve done to you over the years.” She doesn’t cry, but her face gets red with emotion. She shakes her head. “I don’t want to be that person who always assumes the worst when it comes to you, Olly. You don’t deserve it.”
To hear her call me Olly again after all these years makes me want to scoop her into my arms and spin her around. She and Bash gave me that nickname when we were in middle school.
The waitress stops by to refill our drinks, and I use the distraction to study Maggie, who smiles at the waitress and thanks her. Amelia never thanked the wait staff. Neither did Vanessa, now that I think of it.
Once we’re alone again, I ask the question I’m dreading. “Where do we go from here? Have you decided what you want to do?” My heart is in my throat as I wait for her response. I never knew I wanted a baby like I want this one, but I do. With my whole being, I do. But Maggie’s the one who has to carry it for nine months.
She whispers, “I want to keep it, which I know will be tough because I have another year of school, but no matter how at odds we’ve been over the years, this baby is special to me because it’s part of you.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and it about kills me. I take her hand and tug her toward me until she’s out of her chair and in my lap.
“That’s probably the best compliment anyone has ever given me,” I say softly as I kiss the top of her head. I hug her to my chest and ignore the stares of the customers around us. “Does this mean you’ll give me a chance to be more to you?”
She sniffles and sits up to look at me. “How much more do you want to be?”
Everything, Magnolia. I want to be everything to you.
24
MAGGIE
Michael clears his throat. “I want to be as involved in your life as you’re comfortable with.”
Is that because of the baby or because he wants to be with me?
As sweet as he’s being, after how messed up things got since his sister’s wedding, I can’t say I’m ready to jump into dating him. If he even wants that.
I move back to my seat and turn my chair so I’m facing him. “Are you talking about being a co-parent, or are you talking about us?”
He mulls that over for a minute. “Both. I definitely want to be in our baby’s life, and I’d like to see where things lead between us.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but we don’t even know how to be friends, much less parents. And I’m feeling gun-shy after how sideways everything went after we hooked up. Could we focus on the co-parent thing for now and being friends? Would you be okay with that?”
“Does that mean you’re cool with dating other people?”
My gut reaction is fuck that. Do I want my baby daddy dating other women? Of course not. But can I ask him not to see other people if I’m not ready to go there with him?
I breathe through that sudden burst of anger. I don’t want to lash out at him. Setting boundaries is a good thing, I remind myself. “Would I be excited for you to date other women? No, but I can’t exactly ask you to be celibate.”
“Yes, you can. You can ask me not to see anyone else.” His statement hangs in the air.
“Is it weird that I’m absurdly jealous of these nameless, faceless women you haven’t asked out yet?”
