“Has he found a job?”
I shake my head. “He says he’s looking. He’s said that for the past two months. Come to find out, it’s not that he can’t find a job; he just can’t find one that pays better than unemployment.”
“Oh my fucking freeloader. How, Sophie? How did you let this happen again?”
“I don’t know!” I brush nonexistent crumbs off the table. “Why does being nice have to make me such a doormat? Why can’t I find a good guy? One of the things I loved about Jimmy was his devotion to taking care of his mom. And I thought, That’s the guy I need. Someday when I’m old and frail, I want to have a devoted husband. In sickness and in health.”
“Sophie …” Her head eases side to side.
This is what I’ve been trying to avoid: that look of disappointment. I stare at my margarita, so desperately wanting a sip, a buzz, anything to wash away the Jimmy fiasco.
“Maybe you should consult an attorney.”
“We’re not married. That’s ridiculous. It’s my house.”
“Jacob, my neighbor, owns rental properties, and he’s constantly complaining about it. Evicting someone isn’t always easy. It would seem that someone who does not have their name on a piece of property or any sort of lease should not have any claim to staying there, but I bet Jimmy would find someone to make a case for him.”
“No.” I shake my head over and over. “Jimmy can’t afford an attorney. No one will be making a case for him.”
“What if his mom pays for an attorney?”
“Pfft … that’s ridiculous. She has no money either.”
Jules brings her drink close to her lips and pauses. “What about his aunt?”
“She lives in Tennessee. And I feel like getting him shipped off to Tennessee is a long shot. It’s just … ridiculous and sad. And his aunt probably wouldn’t let him live with her anyway. And what does that say about Jimmy?”
“Or you? For dating him?”
I completely deflate. “I know! I’ve been trying to figure out what drew me to him in the first place. This is really embarrassing. And to add more misery to my already tumultuous situation, there’s a sexy pet shop guy that’s been flirting with me. And I’m pretty sure he’s interested—”
“NO!” Jules nearly silences the restaurant.
My cheeks turn red as Mother Jules scolds me with one word.
She lowers her voice again. “You need to get your life figured out before you so much as smile at another man. Do you understand me?”
I nod, hiding behind my glass of water.
Jules holds up her glass. “To better choices.”
Our glasses clink.
“What’s wrong with your margarita?” Jules asks, eyeing the half-empty water glass in my hand.
“Oh … uh … nothing.”
“Bullshit.”
“Not bullshit.” I can’t look her in the eye.
“Oh my god! You’re pregnant!”
I shake my head. “Shh … no. I mean. Gah! It’s not what you think.”
“If you’re pregnant, then it’s what I think, Sophie.”
Rubbing my eyes behind my glasses, I grumble. “I’m not supposed to tell you or anyone for that matter. So if I tell you, you can’t say a word.”
I feel like I need to tell her. It will give the urgency of my Jimmy situation much better perspective.
“Oh my god … you are pregnant.”
“Yes, but—”
“Does Jimmy know? This changes things, Sophie. You’re evicting your child’s father. Sophie!”
I frown. “Are you done? Can I speak?”
“Yes. Speak. Explain how you let this happen.”
“It’s not Jimmy’s baby—”
“Sophie Elizabeth Ryan!”
“And … it’s not my baby.”
Her head jerks backward, face wrinkled. “What does that mean?”
“It’s my sister’s. Chloe and Mason have been trying to have a baby. She’s miscarried four times. I only knew about the first time. They stopped telling family because it’s been too painful.”
“Oh, Sophie …”
I nod. “Yeah, it sucks. She has endometriosis. Of course, they could keep trying, but emotionally it’s taken its toll. Chloe can’t imagine going through yet another miscarriage. And when she told me they had frozen embryos and were looking into a surrogate, I volunteered. I knew by then that things with Jimmy weren’t going to work out. And … I knew I needed to take a break from dating. This felt right. One hundred percent right. But we’re not telling anyone until they’re ready. So three months? Four months? I’m letting them decide.”
“That’s …” Jules shakes her head. “I don’t even know what to say. That’s really generous of you. I mean, you haven’t had a child of your own yet. And the first one you have you’re giving away. You’re a better person than I am.”
I shrug. “It’s not mine. Her egg. His sperm. I’m just a vessel.”
“So pet store guy … you know better, right? It’s all about the baby now.”
I laugh. “Yes. I have a baby to grow and a squatter to evict. My plate is absolutely full. Pet store guy is not in any equation of mine.”