SEAL Baby Daddy

“Thank God,” I muttered under my breath, and she laughed. I had to crack a smile at that. I shrugged. “I don’t know, I guess I’m just going to try to avoid him, and if I do see him again and he finds out about Ava, I’ll probably just lie and tell him she’s someone else’s.”

Maisie sighed

. “You know what’s best for your daughter,” she said. “But I still don’t know if that’s what’s best for you.”

“What’s best for Ava is what’s best for me,” I said.

“If you need any help, you know I’m here for you,” Maisie said, giving me a hug.

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll get Ava out of your hair. We have a graffiti artist to interview this afternoon.”

“Sorry, I can’t watch her this afternoon. I have to get to my own job,” Maisie said regretfully.

“No problem. I’m used to having Ava with me for interviews by now,” I said, grinning at her. “Anyway, you do more than enough for me as it is.”

The interview was great. The guy was talkative, and he walked us around to show us a bunch of his pieces around the city. He did these huge, political murals. When I found out he had a background in law, I was surprised. “That’s a pretty big switch, from law to graffiti,” I said.

He laughed. “Yeah, doesn’t really pay the bills in the same way, but I feel a lot more fulfilled this way. And I figure I can always go back to the law stuff if I want to. When I’m old and stuffy.”

I laughed as well.

I stopped off on the way home to get Ava a small ice cream for after lunch, her reward for having been so good during the walk. When we got home, I threw together some sandwiches, and we went out onto the balcony to eat them in the warm sunshine.

My phone started buzzing with an incoming call. I frowned down at it, debating not picking up. It was an unknown number, but a local one. Could be something to do with work. I sighed and dusted crumbs off my hands before answering it.

“Harper? It’s Ace.”

I glanced over at Ava and stood abruptly, walking back into my apartment. I guess I’d hoped that he just wouldn’t call me. Or at least not so soon. I felt like I’d hardly even processed the fact that he was there yet.

“I know you’re busy, but everyone’s got to eat sometimes. I was hoping you’d let me take you to dinner.”

“Tonight?” I blurted out. I shook my head, even though I knew he couldn’t see it. “I’m working. I have this article—I just finished up an interview this afternoon, and I have to get the thing submitted. I’m just going to throw something together at home tonight.”

“Okay, but maybe another night?” Ace asked.

“Maybe,” I said vaguely. “You know, I’m not really sure what my schedule is going to be like this week. I’m pretty busy all the time.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but I still felt bad for saying it. I tried to think about what I would do if Ava weren’t there. If I’d never gotten pregnant and if I was still single and alone. If I had run into Ace under those circumstances, would I go to dinner with him?

Probably, I had to admit. I liked him, both his personality and his body. I remembered running into him earlier. I had been so shocked to see him that I hadn’t really looked at him, but I could tell that he was just as fit as ever.

It would still be the same problem between us, though. I had always pictured myself with a husband and kids. A family. I wanted that. And if Ace didn’t want any of that, it was better that I not go to dinner with him. Better that I not picture a future that I knew I could never have.

“All right, I guess I’ll call back another day,” Ace said, sounding disappointed.

I wanted to tell him not to, that he was wasting his time. But he hung up before I could. I wasn’t sure if I was glad about that or not.

I went back to the porch to finish my lunch. Ava was nearly done with her ice cream. Thankfully, she didn’t ask who had called. I could tell that she was tired, that it must be nap time. Suddenly, a nap sounded like a great idea.

“You want to nap with Mama today?” I asked as I finished my sandwich. I grabbed the plates and carried them into the kitchen.

Ava nodded when I came back outside, and I smiled. “All right, come here.” I hoisted her up into my arms. “Let’s go wash off those sticky fingers first!”

We did that, and then I brought her into my room, laying her down on the bed and then curling up next to her. Slowly, I let go of the fact that Ace was back, that he not only was in the country but was actually there in Boston. Nothing bad existed in my world, as far as I was concerned, when I got to cuddle my adorable daughter.

I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

6

Ace