Page 39 of Billionaire Hunt

“Even if you think it’s ideal, I have no intention to rent out my uterus.”

“I could pay you whatever you asked.”

“It’s not about the money.”

“Then what is it about?”

“It’s about the fact that we’re sex buddies, friends. What you’re proposing will change all that. And I love what we have, I don’t want to see it ruined.”

“How would it be ruined?”

“Come on, Erik. What you’re proposing is something couples do. Normally married couples. They plan to have babies together. Couples do that. Not friends. We’re not a couple. We shouldn’t even be discussing this.”

“Don’t you see that’s what makes it so perfect? We have no ties to each other. Like you said, we’re not a couple. So if you wanted to just walk away, you could. Or if you want to be part of the kid’s life, you could. You have all the cards in your hand. Ultimately it’s your decision.”

I shook my head. Was I actually considering this? “What you’re talking about is crazy. Absolutely crazy.”

“I don’t know. I think it’s pretty perfect.”

I sighed. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“As serious as a heart attack.”

“You’re going to give me a heart attack.”

He squeezed my hand and said, “Just think about it. That’s all I’m asking you. Just consider it. You don’t have to give me an answer today or even tomorrow, just consider it.”

We sat in silence and I covered my hand with his. “My answer is going to be no, Erik. I don’t want you to think otherwise.”

“I understand I just brought this up out of nowhere. But just think about it before telling me no--can you just do that?”

I sighed. It wouldn’t hurt to just consider his request, right? “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

He grabbed my face and kissed me hard on the mouth. “That’s all I can ask.”

I climbed out of his car and made my way upstairs. As I undressed, I thought about Erik’s words. I wanted Erik to be happy. I wanted to help him, but I didn’t want to donate my body to science to make that happen.

I didn’t particularly like babies and everything about hospitals and the little I knew about labor freaked me out, grossed me out, or frightened me. I was okay with bigger kids. I liked kids. I just couldn’t imagine physically carrying one.

I didn’t even know why I was considering it. And that thought shocked me. I was seriously considering it.

So I took a chance and reached for the phone. I called Emmaline.

She answered on the first ring.

“Hi, what’s up?”

I sighed. “Can I tell you something if you promise to keep an open mind?”

“Umm...I’ll try.”

“Emmaliiiine,” I whined. “Pleeeeease.”

“Okay, I promise. I promise.”

“So Lacey, Oliver and now Erik have gotten it in their minds that I would make a great surrogate for Erik.”

“Erik, Jude and Oliver’s friend? The guy you’re working for? He wants you to be his surrogate?”