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“Yeah, like I need your help,” I retort, picking up my shirt and gesturing.
“Not all women like those, you know.”
I frown. “But Loren says they’respicy.”
He guffaws loudly this time, and my frown turns into a scowl. “And you honestly don’t think she’s into you?”
“Like you said, there’s always been chemistry, maybe more on my end, but she doesn’t think she can trust me.”
“Then you just need to build that trust.”
But I know better, because Loren will never learn to trust me with everyone constantly bringing up my serial dating history and offering their unsolicited commentary on my inability to commit to one woman. My own brother can’t even refrain from reminding me of my lack of serious relationship experience.
“I don’t see how that’s possible in this situation. So maybe we should just drop it,” I say flatly, turning to leave.
“Come on, Blake. You don’t have a choice. You can’t really think your plan’s going to work, that you and Loren will both be satisfied with a platonic friendship and splitting time with your baby?”
“I don’t see why not, so long as we keep our relationship civil.”
“Bullshit, man. You’re a freaking family court lawyer. You know exactly how this is going to end.”
He has a point there. I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with some wording for a custody arrangement that would make sense for us, and nothing has come to mind yet. Not to mention I absolutely hate the idea of my own kid having to grow up in the same split-household situation I see all the time at work.
“Besides, how are you going to feel when some other guy comes along to give Loren all the things you can’t? Are you really going to be cool with another man sleeping in her bed and raising your kid?”
I glower at him over my shoulder. He’s right again, of course. After running that Rowan guy off, I stupidly assumed Loren wouldn’t be dating in her condition. But she won’t be pregnant forever, and I don’t relish the thought of anyone else even getting close to Loren,my Loren.
“I’ve gotta go,” I grumble and move to the door.
“Mais, where ya going, bruh?” JD calls, his voice tinged with amusement.
“To be a supportive fake boyfriend,” I grunt without turning around.
CHAPTER 18
Loren
“Areyou sure it’s not too much trouble for you to come with me today? I’m really fine on my own.”
Blake clicks his tongue at me from the driver’s seat. “I told you I wanted to be here, didn’t I?” Then he reaches over and rests his open hand on the center console, gesturing for me to fill it, so I place my much smaller hand in his. “Why do you have such a hard time believing me when I say something like that? Do I really come off as heartless and narcissistic?” he asks, intending it to sound like a joke.
I shrug. “You’re not so bad, Blake. I just don’t want this situation to hold you back.”
He furrows his brow. “I know my dating history precedes me, but I hope you don’t think I’d dodge my responsibilities or not do my best to be a good father.”
“No, and you’ve been great so far. But you don’t have to force yourself to become someone you’re not.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t expect you to become a monk. I’m sure you miss … dating,” I explain delicately. I’d been meaning to bring up the topic since we’d somehow skated around it when we set the ground rules, and now seems as good a time as any.
“I’m going to ignore the euphemism and answer the question as if you were being literal. I’m perfectly fine with putting dating on hold for now.” His thumb rubs soft circles on my wrist as he continues. “Besides, it’s not like I’m lonely.”
“And if I weren’t being literal?”
“I’m not thrilled about the dry spell, but I’ll survive. Or maybe I’m still hoping you’ll change your mind about rule number one by the next trimester,” he says, flashing a coy smirk at me and awakening a few tummy butterflies.
Okay, so every time he hints about a repeat performance of that night, my stomach flutters. A lot. And sometimes other parts react too. But I have no choice but to keep ignoring the way his flirting affects me if I want to make it out alive.
