Page 92 of Slap Shot Surprise
“Exactly.” I sighed, shaking my head. “God, it was so good. What if it’s never like that with anyone else?”
Ari leaned forward, her elbows on the table. “Did you guys talk about anything?”
“Lots of things.” I shrugged. “We talk so easily.”
“Did you talk about the baby?”
“Constantly. Joe even bought him a book and a little sleeper with dinosaurs on it at the Field Museum gift shop.”
“You went to a museum?” She laughed. “That’s so you.”
“It was his idea,” I insisted. “He wants to learn about me.”
“God.” She sat back and dropped her hands into her lap. “He’s making this so difficult. Not that I want your baby’s dad to be a jerk, but when you’re trying not to fall in love with someone while also carrying his son, it might be easier if he was at least mildly insensitive or annoying.”
“I know. But he isn’t. He’s cute and sweet and generous and charming. And he’s also fiercely protective. It’s like he has two sides.”
“Okay, so what’s the problem? He obviously has some feelings for you. You have some for him. You’re having a baby together. Why can’t you guys give this a real chance?”
“He doesn’t want that, Ari. And I’m not sure I do, either. This morning he was telling me that his contract is up next year. Chicago is one thing, but what if he’s signed to another team and it’s across the country?”
“I don’t know. You move?”
“Move away from my family and friends? And be alone half the time because he’s on the road?”
“Only during the season,” she pointed out.
“That’s a lot. And anyway, it hasn’t come up.” Too agitated to sit still, I abandoned my chair and started to pace. “No. I don’t want to move. I want to be here where people love me and I love them. I want to raise my son around his grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. Even the Lupos are here!”
“That’s true.”
“This is the path I chose,” I went on. “I knew it would not be easy. I was willing to go it alone, and I’m glad I don’t have to. I’m happy he’s supportive. But I have to keep my feelings in check.”
“How will you manage that?”
“A little distance,” I said. “No more staying with him. It’s too tempting. And I clearly cannot be trusted to follow the rules.”
She laughed. “Nope.”
“But you know what? It’s out of my system now.” I brushed my hands together this way and that. “And his too. We’re fine. We’re good. We even cuddled.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “You cuddled?”
“Yes.” I squirmed a little. “I slept in his bed last night.”
“I thought he didn’t like sharing a bed.”
“He made an exception for me.” Feeling the heat in my face, I turned away from her and went over to the stove to smell the soup. “What time is dinner?”
“Six.”
“Good. That gives me enough time to be back home by eight.”
“What’s at eight?”
“Hockey game. I promised Joe the baby and I would watch.” I could feel her eyes on me.
“Mabel,” she said gently. “Do you think it’s wise to watch every single one of his games like this? I mean, it’s really sweet of you to learn about his sport and root for his team, but is it good for you?”
