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“Anchorage,” I replied, not really thinking it through.
“So if you and Chase fall in love and it's happily ever after, he'll move?”
“I don't know.”
“Are you attached to Anchorage?” my friend asked, his tone matter-of-fact.
“Not really. I mean, it's where I grew up, and my parents are here, but Willow Brook is within an hour away.”
“Your work can travel too,” he offered.
“I know.” I took a breath. “This is a lot.”
“What's a lot?”
“Unexpectedly getting pregnant when I didn't think I could get pregnant and trying to see if I can have a relationship with the father. I’m wondering if that's crazy.” I’d been waging a battle against my insecurities daily.
“It's definitely not crazy. Better to figure it out now than later.”
“You think?”
“Absolutely,” Jonathan said firmly. “You need to know now if he’s secretly an asshole. He could file for custody the day the baby's born.”
“Oh, my god. He wouldn’t do that.”
“It doesn’t sound like it, but to my point, find out now, not later.”
“What about you? Do you really like him?”
My heart kicked in my chest in reply. “I do.”
“Good.” I could hear the smile in Jonathan’s voice. “You have a good weekend. If you need anything, call me.”
“I will.”
“One advantage to having a surrogate is that travel isn't a stressor. We’ll come up for a weekend. Maybe I can meet him and give you my opinion.”
“You know, that might be a good idea.”
“It’s definitely a good idea. I need to go because I have a business call coming in. Love you, Hallie girl.”
“Love you.”
After the call, I turned on some music, trying to distract my thoughts, but it was useless. Not much could keep my mind off Chase. I needed to decide what I wanted. If we were going to be together, we would have to figure out where we lived.
“And what if we don’t work out?” I asked myself in the car.
My life had become complicated, complicated in ways I hadn't expected. And here I was, on the way to meet his father and sister tonight. I was doubting the wisdom of this, but he'd already met my parents. It only made sense that I would meet his family.
I followed Chase’s directions, slowing to turn on the road he said would lead me to his house. Only minutes later, I saw the mailbox. After turning down the driveway, I passed through a cluster of spruce and cottonwood trees before it opened up. A house under construction was visible, with a small, cute house to the side on a branch of the driveway.
I immediately conjured up visions of living here, then abruptly chastised myself.What are you thinking? It's not like you're going to move in with him. Well, what if I did?
I slowed and parked behind his truck. My heartbeat kicked up, drumming rapidly as I climbed out of my car and approached the smaller house. The door opened as I walked closer, and Chase stepped out.
“Hey!” he called.
The setting sun left the sky awash in pink and lavender. The sun’s lingering rays glinted on his dark hair as he walked down the steps and approached me. The home was an A-frame with windows covering the entire front wall. There was a small deck with stairs. I smiled up at him as he stepped onto the ground and stopped in front of me.
