Propositioning Love

Thankfully, our waiter appears, saving me from having to respond to such an outlandish, yet thrilling, revelation.

“Good evening,” our waiter smiles.

He’s a younger guy, blonde and fit, probably plays some type of college sport, but he’s got nothing on Bry…

Damn. I catch myself. Why am I suddenly comparing other men to him as if he’s the perfect standard or something?

“Good evening,” Bry smiles back.

The waiter extends a small menu towards Bry. “Our wine list, sir. Your choice, of course, will be on the house tonight.”

Bry takes one look at the wine list and then shakes his head dismissively. “We will not be having any wine tonight. Thank you.”

The waiter blinks at Bry and his smile falters. He’s looking just as confused as I feel before he quickly composes himself and slowly pulls the list back.

Bry is turning down free wine?

“Actually—” I start to say, but Bry cuts me off.

“No wine tonight, Zoe,” he says firmly.

What the hell? First he tells a celebrity chef I’m his girlfriend, then he admits he would kidnap me if he could get away with it, and now he’s not letting me have any wine?

I snap my jaw shut and narrow my eyes at him.

The waiter shifts, the sudden tension making him uncomfortable as he looks between us.

“We’re not quite ready to order yet, we’ll need a few minutes,” Bry says, his gaze never leaving me.

The waiter nods his head and makes a quick exit.

“What was that?” I ask, leaning forward, my voice a low, angry hiss. “I’d like some wine. Especially because it’s free… Don’t you think that was a little rude?”

I’m probably going to need a lot of wine, actually, if I’m going to make it through the rest of this so-called date.

“You’ll find, Zoe, that the richer you are, the more people are willing to give you something for free.”

I stare at him. It’s not likely I’ll ever get to experience that, and what does that have to do with anything?

“I’d still like some wine, and I think as a grown woman that’s my decision, not yours.”

Bry nods his head slowly as if he agrees, but then his eyes harden. “Yes, normally that is your decision, but not when you could be pregnant with my child.”

Thank god I don’t have anything in my mouth because I’d probably choke on it.

“What?” I sputter.

Bry is completely composed, in fact his eyes look almost eager as he asks, “Are you on any birth control?”

I shake my head, this strange numbness coming over me as I struggle to understand the implication.

“No. I haven’t exactly needed it,” I admit.

It’s been over a year since Jared…

Bry looks way too pleased as he gives me a devastating grin. “Good.”

Suddenly everything clicks into place and I glance around desperately for the waiter. I really, really need that free wine now.

There’s no way, no how.

“I’m not pregnant with your child!” I blurt out.

His devastating grin becomes quite smug as he says, “I’ve been meaning to tell you, but last night we forgot to use a condom. There could be a little Bry growing inside you right now.”

Oh. My. God.

I don’t know how he keeps doing this to me, but once again he’s managed to yank the rug out from beneath my feet.

The world suddenly starts spinning and I’m afraid I might actually fall out of my chair.

This is just too much.

“Zoe? Are you okay?” he asks, and quickly reaches across the table, grabbing my hand.

His touch steadying me.

My ears are buzzing and my head is so light it feels like it’s about to float away.

“Zoe, look at me,” he says firmly, and my eyes obey.

My gaze focuses on his beautiful face.

He stares hard at me as he says, “Everything is going to be okay. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m going to take very good care of you.”

He squeezes my hand and I believe him, I think, but, “Everything is just happening so fast, Bry…”

Last night, my biggest worry was potentially losing my job, and now I have to worry about potentially having a baby. One night, we’ve only had one night together… and now we could be tied to each other forever.

Am I even ready to be a mother? I don’t know. With my disastrous dating history, I haven’t really thought about it lately. There was a time, yes, when I wanted to find my Mr. Right, settle down, and begin a family. But over the past couple of years, that desire has become more wishful thinking than anything.

Having Bry’s baby though… God, just the thought of him being the father of my child creates this visceral ache deep inside me. It’s crazy, I know it’s absolutely freakin’ crazy, but I can’t stop my entire being from tingling.

“It is happening fast,” he agrees. “But doesn’t it feel right?”

Does it feel right?

His thumb strokes against my hand, creating this amazing sensation that does feel very right. It’s almost as if his soul is brushing against mine and purring. Just the friction of his skin against my skin is too amazing.