“I know. It was a rocky start, literally. She felt bad for crashing my Christmas, and I was trying not to swallow my tongue and drool all over her.”
“She’s pretty, eh?”
“Beautiful, but even more than that, she has a wicked sense of humor.” I smile. “And she’s so damn sweet I could get cavities.”
“She must be something to have you waxing poetic. I mean, you sound like you’re half in love with her.”
I smile sheepishly and nod. “I very well may be. It sounds crazy to say out loud after a couple of months.” We spent the majority of our free time together, and sometimes nights we work. I’ve stood beside her for every late-night craving, foot massage, and new baby development she’s allowed me to be there for. Despite our closeness, she still holds a wariness only time will rid her of.
Dan flashes me a concerned look. “I’m sensing a major but coming.”
“Two, actually.” I sigh. “She’s got an intense, psycho, rich ex-fiancée who can’t accept their break up. And ...” I hesitate, “she’s eight months pregnant.”
Daniel chokes on his beer. I pat his back. “You all right?”
“Not after you swing that on me. You’re going to have to back up and give me some serious context,” Dan croaks.
I explain the situation, and Dan rubs his chin thoughtfully. “You’re in a tough spot. I can tell from the way you talk about her this is already more than physical.”
“Yes, and I know it’s the same for her. She’s just afraid to admit it.”
“Considering her nightmare ex, I can’t blame her,” Dan says.
“I know.” I rub the back of my neck. “She thinks I’m going to leave her when the baby gets here. It’s the last thing I want. I feel like Flora is mine.”
He whistles. “That’s a dangerous thought if the mama bear doesn’t feel the same way, bro.”
“I know.” My chest tightens. “But I can’t help it, not when I’m there watching her grow, seeing Flora develop and caring for her when she allows it.”
“You need to have a serious talk with her, James.”
“I’ve been trying to get the words together in my head. Nothing sounds right.”
“So, go off the cuff and just say what’s in your heart,” Daniel suggests.
“I’m worried I’ll muck it up.”
“James, you’re one of the most sincere and frank people I know. It’s not always easy to hear the truth, but I never doubt it when it comes from you. If she’s letting you get this close to her after everything with the douchebag, it means she trusts you.” He places a hand on my shoulder. “I think you should give yourself more credit.”
“I’m nervous. I can’t remember the last time I was this twisted up over a woman. Maybe when I decided to ask Clare to marry me.” I shake my head, remembering the late-night drinking sessions where I plotted and planned with Dan and Mike there for moral support.
“You were a wreck trying to figure out where and how to ask her.”
“She’d waited so long at that point, I felt like it had to be perfect. It feels silly now considering we didn’t even make it down the aisle.”
“It doesn’t change anything about how the two of you felt.”
“This feels even more intense. We’re talking about choices that’ll impact a child.”
“Yeah. You are. Are you ready for that?”
“I love kids. You know that.”
“I do. But she won’t be yours. You’ll have to deal with her jack ass father, and—”
“I couldn’t care less about any of that, Dan. You should know me better.”
Dan holds up his hand. “I was just playing devil’s advocate. I think any kid would be lucky to have you around in whatever capacity the two of you decide. A child can’t have too much love.”