I shrugged, noticing the same confusion on Sophie and Eva. “It is if he means it and I’m not sure that he does.” Not that it mattered because Liam was my baby’s father and there wasn’t much I could do to prevent him from being involved once the baby got here.
“But you’re also not sure that he doesn’t,” Eva added with her usual air of authority.
“No,” I admitted. “I’m not.” But I was pretty darn sure.
“Then give him the chance to screw it up,” Sophie advised. When my mouth opened in shock, she held her hands up defensively. “I know his latest actions don’t inspire much hope, but that’s exactly why you have to let him prove to you the kind of man he is. He will either rise to the challenge or fall on his pretty little face.”
“And who’ll pay the price if he fails? My baby, that’s who.” That was my biggest fear, that his actions would leave this child with the same abandonment issues I had. That Liam also had but dealt with in an entirely different way.
“Sorry to say but you don’t have a choice.” Eva’s words were filled with sympathy and I knew she was right. If I tried to keep Liam away, things could get ugly and that would make life difficult in a small town like Pilgrim.
“I hate it when you’re right,” I groaned and put a hand over my head.
“That’s okay, I love it enough for the both of us.” Her bright smile softened as she stood and lifted the salad from the basket. “He’s trying right now and that’s what matters.”
I nodded, knowing she was right. My child deserved two loving parents and if Liam wanted to heap some love on this baby, I’d let him. I would also watch him carefully and protect this child fiercely, but children deserved all the love they could get and I wouldn’t deny my child one ounce of it. “You’re right. I don’t like it but I know its true.”
Sophie popped up, suddenly full of energy. “I’m impressed by the gift, especially coming from Liam. Send a quick thanks to show him you’re trying. It’ll make you feel better.”
I doubted it would make me feel better but they were all right about one thing, I had to let Liam sink or swim on his own. I didn’t want to explain to my baby in twenty years that I was the reason he or she didn’t have a father. “If you say so.”
“I do,” she said and walked out with a smile and a wave.
“Me too,” Kendra added and left just as quickly.
Eva sighed and shook her head. “I don’t like it either, but it is the mature thing to do. The thing a mama would do for her child, so I guess that means you gotta do it.”
“Yeah, but I don’t have to like it.”
Eva smiled. “That’s my girl. Good luck and bon appetit!”
Left alone in my office, I stared at the salad and the other items stacked neatly in the package. It was a sweet gesture, a kind gesture, one totally unexpected from Pilgrim’s resident playboy. He’s trying, my conscience nagged and I had to admit that this was a sign that he intended to try.
Whether it would last until the baby arrived was another story altogether. But I followed my friends’ advice and sent a text to Liam.
Thank you for the basket. Especially the salad.
There. It was simple and displayed the proper amount of gratitude, I hoped. Returning to my work, I responded to emails and set up dates while I made quick work of the salad.
A few minutes later my text notification chimed and I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to read Liam’s response. The man could be charming one moment and infuriating the next. In the end, my curiosity won out.
You’re very welcome. It has everything a growing baby and mama needs. Dinner tonight? I’ll cook so we can…talk.
His words brought a smile to my face for some reason and I shrugged even though it wasn’t possible for Liam to see me.
A bachelor who cooks? Can I afford to risk it?
The better question is, can you afford to always wonder if I’m an excellent cook or get the proof for yourself?
See what I mean? It wasn’t fair for a man so handsome and so physically fit to also be charming. No normal woman could resist him and with all the hormones coursing through my body, I was anything but normal. But I had to try and make nice with my baby daddy.
I’ll get the proof, thanks.
Great. Or brave, I guess we’ll find out tonight. At 7.
I’ll be there.
And I would. In the spirit of giving Liam every chance to prove he wanted this baby and wanted to be a father, I would be cordial and kind. Open minded, even.