“No, because of biology,” Jess says. “Women have to get started on the baby-making thing a lot earlier than men do. So, if it gets serious between an older woman and a younger man and she wants kids…” She shrugs. “Well, then you’re going to be pressured to start a family sooner than later and most guys in their twenties want no part of that. Especially city boys. You guys want to run free until you’re at least forty.”

“Cam isn’t a city guy,” Evie says, coming to my defense as she sets a bowl of ramen in front of Jess and then another, smaller bowl in front of me. “Cam’s from small-town New Jersey, just like we are, and it’s way too early in the process to be thinking about babies.”

“And she already has a kid,” I say, pointing toward the bowl. “Thanks for this, Evie, but should we save it for Harlow? You know how much she loves ramen.”

“Harlow’s still in Albany fucking Derrick’s brains out,” Jess supplies as she slurps at her noodles, muttering, “Ouch. Hot. So hot,” between mouthfuls.

“Stop. That’s my brother you’re talking about,” Evie says, her gaze fixed on me as she settles into the chair beside Jess. “Give it a second to cool, you psycho. And you—” She points at my face. “Are you sure you’re ready to date a woman with a baby?”

“Her daughter’s four, so not really a baby,” I say, fishing a chunk of bok choy from the noodles and studying it through the smoke rising around it. “You did a good job with these. Give them just a few more seconds in the blanching bath next time and they’ll be spot on.”

“I don’t want to talk about bok choy, I want to talk about you being a stepdad to a four-year-old,” Evie says, her green eyes almost comically wide. “That’s a big responsibility, Cam. Huge. Like…the biggest ever. And no offense, but you only do laundry once every two weeks.”

I frown. “I’m not sure what that has to do with being a stepdad. But like you said, it’s way too early to be thinking about that sort of thing. First, I have to convince her to go out with me again.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t,” Evie says, her brow furrowing. “I mean, I know you really liked her, but it sounds like you’re at two different places in life. And with the work conflict mixed in…”

“Nope,” Jess says, cursing beneath her breath as she slurps another too-hot noodle. “He should go for it.”

Evie huffs. “Two minutes ago, you were just saying he shouldn’t.”

“Yes, but that was before I knew she already had a kid, so she shouldn’t be as rabid to reproduce right away. Also, Cam’s eyes went dead inside when you said that.”

“No they didn’t,” Evie says, glancing back to me and wincing. “Oh, yeah, they did a little. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel dead inside.”

I smile. “I’m not dead inside. But yeah…the thought of giving up on Natalie without a fight doesn’t sit right. Seriously, I’ve never experienced anything like last night. The moment I laid eyes on her, I couldn’t look away. There was just this instant connection, this intense…excited feeling. Like I’d finally found the person I’ve been waiting for.” I exhale a tight laugh. “And yeah, I know how that sounds. You can make fun of me now. Go ahead.”

“We’re not going to make fun of you.” Evie’s lips turn down. “Come on, you know us better than that.”

“But you don’t believe in love at first sight,” I press.

“Not for me, I don’t,” Evie says. “But maybe for you. I mean, love works in strange and mysterious ways.”

“I believe in it,” Jess says, surprising us both, if Evie’s double take is anything to judge by. “What?” Jess asks with an uncomfortable bob of her shoulders. “I’m a secret romantic. Sue me.” She winces. “No, don’t sue me. If I’m going to quit my job, I won’t have the money for a lawsuit.”

Evie clasps her hands together at her chest. “Oh my God, really? You’re seriously thinking about quitting? Oh, Jess, I’m so proud of you.”

The conversation circles back around to Jess’s work situation. As we discuss the pros and cons of her staying to finish the project versus bolting now, before she’s any more worn down, I’m grateful for the distraction.

I’m not ready to shine a spotlight on what I feel when I’m with Natalie.

Not yet. First, I have to make her see what a mistake it would be to give up on this without giving it a chance to see if it’s more than a crush.

And what better way to start convincing her I’m too good to let slip through her fingers than by blowing her fucking mind with my unique take on mushroom Wellington?

Tags: Lili Valente Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net