I step in between the men, my round belly like a literal stop sign between them. “Okay. We’re good here. Thank you, Dodge.” I glance up at his giant frame, then drag my gaze away immediately. If I look at him too long, I’ll be back to where I was months ago when I shared a cabin with him and his sister for the weekend. I think I was supposed to be bait for his best friend, but the best friend had eyes for his sister instead. That was fine by me because I couldn’t stop staring at Dodge. He didn’t know I was pregnant then, but I felt the chemistry.
Dodge stares down at me, studying my expanding stomach.
God, he thinks I’m gross. Of course, he thinks I’m gross. He’s a massive man with big muscles and a perfectly square jaw. I’m a bloated puffer fish with a living thing inside of me that’s kicking and pawing to get out, like an alien who’s taken over my body.
“What do you mean you’re good here?” Dodge brushes his big hand over his beard. “You’re not okay with this dick talking to you like that.”
I smile, pushing back the load of hormones telling me to jump into Dodge's arms. “I think we’re going to finish our lunch. Thank you for stepping in, but we have some things to discuss.”
Mark turns away, straightening his rounded shoulders with the tiniest of sighs.
Dodge doesn’t let it go that easily. He turns toward me. “Is there a reason you’d let this bitch boy talk to you like that?”
I know I told him I’ve got it, but why do I want him to keep going?
I roll my eyes for show. “He’s the baby’s father. I’m trying to smooth things over.”
“What the fuck is going on, Ash? Are you dating this redneck?” Mark turns back and barks out the comment like he isn’t in the middle of the mountains.
“Rednecks ain’t an insult around here, but you’re sure usin’ it like one.” A man at another table stands, then another. I’m not sure if I’m embarrassed or incredibly amused by the entire town swatting my wasp.
Mark’s cheeks are red, and his jaw is tight. Okay, maybe I’m amused.
“Fuck this shit!” He shakes his head and glances toward me. “You want child support? That’s what this is about, right? Well… you’re not fucking getting it. You can’t prove this baby is mine.”
My brows turn inward. “Actually, I can. But… I don’t need your money. I thought maybe you’d want toknowyour child.”
He huffs out a heavy breath, then looks away. “Stay the fuck away from me, bitch.”
And with that, Dodge decides Mark is no longer welcome at this establishment. With a solid shove toward the door, the hornet catches a few empty chairs and the edge of a table before falling to the ground.
When Mark finally collects himself and leaves, there’s a low clap through the diner before people go about their business.
Dodge lands his big hand on my shoulder. “You okay? Sorry I didn’t follow instructions.”
A wide grin crosses his face. We both know he’s not sorry.
“You’re fine. I think you may have helped me dodge a bullet. He didn’t seem that bad when he was…” I decide not to finish my sentence and instead blow out a breath of heavy air.
“I didn’t know you were pregnant. How long has it been?”
I laugh, running my hand over my stomach. “Well, just about nine months.”
“Oh, shit. So, you’re due any day?”
I nod and grab my purse from the booth. I think I’ll avoid calling Portia right away. I can’t take the judgment right now and Lord knows she’s gonna judge me. “Anyway,” I glance back up at Dodge, “it was good seeing you… I guess.”
He laughs, throwing a twenty down on the table. “You guess?”
“Yeah, I mean… you did interrupt my lunch and interject your opinion.”
I’m not sure why he’s laughing. “Oh, so you’re okay with assholes treating you like shit? My bad. Next time, I’ll just walk on by.”
I roll my eyes and turn away from Dodge. He’s hot, and the whole knight in shining armor thing is cute, but I thought we had something at the cabin a few months back, but he hasn’t called me since. I’m pretty sure that’s a clear sign that he’s not interested in anything serious, and that means I should look the other way and keep moving. I don’t need another year of lusting after a man that’s never going to call. I’ve done that more than enough times already.
“I’ll see you later, Dodge. Thanks for your help, regardless.” I walk away slowly, half hoping this will be like every romantic comedy I’ve ever seen. You know, the part where the heroine pushes the hero away twelve dozen times, and he keeps coming after her.
As I slide into my car, I realize that real life is a lot more… realistic. I lean my head against the headrest, before running my hand over my stomach. What in the actual hell am I doing? I’m about to pop a baby out and I’m hoping a man who’s not interested chases me out and confesses his undying love.
