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My stomach knotted, and I wondered what I’d say to Alex if I saw him. I’d not talked to him in almost three years, and now I had a 2-year-old daughter. His 2-year-old daughter. There was no way I could keep this from him for long.
What would I do if he wanted to be part of Kadie’s life? Should I even let him, or should I go court and tell them how we’d had a tawdry one-night stand, and then he’d blown me off?
I groaned and shook my head. I didn’t know. This wasn’t about me anymore. I also had to consider Kadie and what was best for her. The problem was, I didn’t know if Alex would be a good thing for her
or not.
I shook my head. There was nothing I could do about any of it right away. I’d worry about Alex when and if I saw him. My main concern was with Carl keeping his promise. I needed to handle this whole situation on my own terms.
My brisk walking got me to the Wild Mustang quicker than normal. I pushed open the doors and spotted Perri and Carl already at a table.
Hurrying over, I waved to them, a smile on my face. I was determined to not let Alex’s return ruin my night.
A quick check around didn’t reveal him. I was safe, at least for one more night. I almost laughed at the relief bouncing through me. I’d half-expected to open those doors and see that blond hair, gray eyes, and tattoos.
I headed over to the table, my heart feeling lighter than it had in days.
Perri rose and gave me a hug. Carl took a sip from his beer bottle and nodded. I slid into a seat between them.
“At least I’m not the last one here this time,” I said with a grin.
Perri laughed, and Carl shrugged.
A waitress, Jenny, came by. “A beer, Aspyn? Or Diet Pepsi?” She was already holding a beer, an expectant look on her face.
“Beer,” I said.
She placed a coaster down, followed by the bottle before walking away with a smile. The thing was, I didn’t drink during my pregnancy and only rarely when I was breastfeeding. I think that kind of annoyed the waitresses at the Wild Mustang.
Even though cutting down on alcohol wasn’t such a big deal for me, it hurt their tips when I came in, so I think they’d been more excited than I’d been when I started drinking again. The other problem for them was that when I drank less, everyone else drank less around me.
It also probably didn’t help that our little group wasn’t in as regularly anymore. As a parent, I couldn’t hit the bar as much anymore. Simple as that.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been together,” Carl said as if reading my mind.
I faked a smile and nodded.
Perri smirked. “I’m with Aspyn and Joe every day at town hall. You should get a job at the town hall, and then we could all be together.”
“I like working the ranch,” Carl said, giving her a flat look. “And I’m guessing it’s not all fun and games for y’all.”
“No, it isn’t,” I said, taking a sip of my beer.
“I like working outside. No offense, but I’d hate working in an office.”
Perri rolled her eyes.
I sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault we all don’t get together much anymore.”
“No, no, no,” Carl said, shaking his head. “Don’t say that. You got a kid now. It comes with the territory. It just makes it more special when we do, is all.”
Perri reached over to pat my hand.
Warmth filled me. It was good to have friends who understood and supported me. I didn’t know what I would have done without them the past few years.
Joe stepped into the Mustang.
“Good evening, Mayor,” said an elderly man near the entrance.
