Page 16 of Bless My Heart

Reluctantly, I open my eyes. He’s looking right at my lips. I let out a breath at the intensity of his stare. I know he wants to kiss me as badly as I want him to.

“You tell me when you’re ready for me, ok? I won’t do anything until you want it. Ok, baby?”

“Ok,” I croak out. He takes his hand off my face and moves away from me.

“I should probably go before I stop thinking with my brain and start thinking with something else.”

“What?” I cock my head in confusion. My brain is not working right after having him so close to me. I watch as his eyes lower to his crotch. His erection is pressing up against his shorts, begging to be released. My eyes widen.

“Oh.” He’s that turned on from almost kissing me? I mean, I’m super turned on, but I blame the pregnancy hormones and the lack of sex in my life.

“Yeah.” He stands up and adjusts himself. “But I’ll be back tomorrow. Do you have plans?”

“Oh. No, no plans. But don’t feel like you have to keep me company.”

“I told you. I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” He hands me his phone. “Here, will you put your number in?” I do as he asks before handing it back to him. He calls me so I have his number as well. “I’ll text you in the morning before I head over. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Ok. I will.” I stand up and follow him to the door. “Hey, Wes?”

He turns around. “Yeah?”

“Thanks for being so calm and understanding about this whole situation,” I say, motioning to my stomach.

He brings me into a hug, and I’m immediately hit with the scent of ocean and citrus. I forgot how good he smells. I relax into him, just enjoying the moment.

“Of course, Hazel. We’re in this together. Me and you. Don’t ever forget that.” He kisses the side of my head before he releases me from the hug.

He walks out and turns back to smile. “See you tomorrow.” I nod and smile back before shutting the door.

I press my back against the door and take a deep breath to calm myself down. What has my life become? I’m sitting here, thirty years old, lusting after a twenty-two year-old who is my freaking student. And not only lusting after him but also having his baby.

If someone had told me last year that I would be pregnant and the baby not be Jordan’s, I would have laughed in their face. It’s so funny how quickly and unexpectedly life can change.

I will admit, I’m glad I didn’t get pregnant with Jordan. He wasn’t a bad guy, and of course, I loved him, but our relationship wasn’t great. Both of us were focused on him and making him happy. I can’t even remember the last time he asked me what he could do for me.

Being single and reflecting back on our relationship, I saw that I would have been miserable if we had continued it. Was I hurt and taken completely off-guard when he ended it? Absolutely. But now, I’m glad he did it.

I head back to my spot on the couch and pull out my phone to text the girls. As soon as I told them I was pregnant, they thought I should tell Wes immediately. But I was a chicken shit. If Caroline hadn’t pushed the situation along by giving Wes my address, I’m not sure when or even if I would have told him.

Hazel: I told him.

Lexi: How’d it go?

Hazel: Really well actually. He didn’t freak out at all. Was actually very supportive.

Caroline: That’s great! I knew you were freaking out for nothing.

Hazel: Ok, well he must be an anomaly because most guy his age would flip their shit if they found out they were about to have a baby.

Caroline: Well, maybe you finally picked a good one ;)

Hazel: I didn’t pick him. We aren’t together.

Lexi: Uh huh

Hazel: We aren’t! But we are going to get to know each other so we can co-parent.

Caroline: Oh, I can’t wait to see how this goes.