Page 119 of Buy Back My Love

“Sound like it.”

“I’m asking.”

I sighed. “I don’t know how to tell him without him hearing something I ain’t saying. Soon as JB find out I’m pregnant, he gon’ think that means we getting back together.”

Van looked at me for a second. “You think it does?”

“Hell no.”

“Then don’t let him make it mean that.”

I gave him a look. “You make everything sound real simple.”

“It’s not simple.” He shrugged. “But you already left him. Being pregnant doesn’t undo that.”

I looked down at my hands. Mama had basically told me the same thing, and hearing it again still didn’t make any of this easier.

“And now I done kissed you,” I muttered.

Van’s mouth twitched. “Twice.”

I looked up. “Boy!”

“You kissed me the second time.”

“Van.”

“I’m just making sure the facts are right.”

I tried not to smile, but he caught me anyway.

“This ain’t funny.”

“I’m not laughing.”

“You smiling.”

“A little bit.”

I shook my head, but at least I didn’t feel like crawling inside a paint can anymore.

Then Van got serious again.

“For what it’s worth, I am sorry.”

“For kissing me?”

“Nah.”

That answer came so quick I looked right at him.

“I’m sorry you’ve got all this to deal with right when you’re trying to get yourself going again.”

I didn’t know what to say to that.

“But I’m not sorry I kissed you.”

I stared at him. “You probably should be.”