Page 42 of Trials of a One Night Stand
“I’m not. Not really. It’s … complicated.”
Lottie takes a sip of wine. She turns to face me and sits cross-legged the way she used to when she was younger, and we’d have a sleepover. “Has Nathaniel told you what he wants?”
“No, which is weird, right?”
She shrugs. “It’s your body.”
“Might be easier to decide when I know where he stands.”
Another shrug. “Maybe or maybe not if it’s not what you want.”
“I’m not sure what I want. I mean, I always figured Colton and I wouldn’t wait too long to have a baby, given our age.” Dodge nudges his muzzle against my stomach. “This might be my last chance to be a mom.”
“Thirty-seven isn’t old.”
“No, but how long will it take me to meet someone, fall in love, get married, and get pregnant? I’d be over forty by then.”
“Lots of women have babies in their forties.”
“So you think—”
“I don’t think anything. This is your decision, Jayne.” Lottie leans closer. “I know this doesn’t fit your life plan. Neither did Colton cheating nor using you to get the equity partnership position. But you can’t always plan for everything.”
“But I’m a planner.”
“Yes, but pregnancy is one of those things that sometimes just happens, even if you’re not trying. And when you’re ready, it doesn’t always happen either.”
“I just wish I knew what the right decision is.”
“Well, I still have that Magic 8 ball.”
I laugh. “I’m not using a toy to make a life decision.”
“No, I wouldn’t recommend that, but I made you laugh, and now you’re smiling.” Lottie raises her glass. “Mission accomplished.”
“Thanks.”
“What’s your heart say?”
“Have the baby.”
“There you go, but do you want to co-parent with the baby daddy? I mean, he’ll be part of your life for the next eighteen years if you have the baby. Longer if you consider college and marriage and grandchildren.”
“It’s a lot to consider, but I don’t know if he’ll really sign up for all that.”
“Jerk.”
“He’s been great so far, but it’s only been twenty-four hours.” I hadn’t known who he was when we first met, but now I know a little more about Nathaniel Lowe. He donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities every year, donates money to his old high school, and pays for a former nanny to live in a nice assisted living center. He also insisted on the best healthcare plan for his employees. He seems like a good guy, the kind of guy you’d want to introduce to your parents. Well, if your parents cared more about a man’s personality than what model and year pickup truck he drives. “I’m just trying to be realistic, so even though you bring up a good point about co-parenting, I’ve been thinking about how I’ll raise a baby on my own.”
Lottie inhales sharply and swats my arm. “What are you talking about? You won’t be alone. You have me and Trace. We’ll be here to help you every step of the way. You know that. If you don’t, you should. And that’s not because of everything you’ve done for us. It’s because we’re family, and we love you.”
“I didn’t want to assume.”
“Assume. Always assume where we’re concerned.” Lottie stares over the lip of her wineglass. “Does that help at all?”
“Yes,” I admit. “Nathaniel says to take my time, but…”
“You know what your heart wants.”
