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“Okay, then. Thanks.”
“We should plan our strategy,” he said. “How about I pick up some Chinese food and come to your place?”
“That sounds fine.”
She sat on the sofa for a long moment after she hung up wondering if she could rediscover some of the camaraderie they had enjoyed last summer. She didn’t want to only talk about the baby. She wanted to have fun with Trace. Was that lost forever?
Chapter Seven
Trace hung up the phone. Cath’s reception had been less than what he’d hoped for. She seemed distant and aloof. Of course his thoughtless ending of their relationship hadn’t helped. And then his accusation that she was trying to trap him in some way had furthered the rift.
Still, he had asked her if she wanted to get married. He still didn’t know if he was relieved she’d refused or a bit disappointed.
Which made no sense. He wasn’t going down that road again. Once had been enough.
Though he was sure putting himself at risk becoming involved with this baby. He still missed Zach. But how could he not want to know this child? He’d loved little Zach with a fierceness that surprised him. The loss had been almost more than he could bear. None of his friends understood. Most thought he should be glad to be out from under the responsibility of a child. Especially one that biologically wasn’t his.
But Trace had never felt that for a second.
He rose and went to get his wallet. He’d pick up Chinese food and see if they could come to some sort of truce. He didn’t want Cath acting jumpy and skittish around him. As far as he was concerned, the entire world could think what it wanted. It was nobody’s business but their own that they planned a temporary alliance until the birth of their child. This time business would have to take second place.
He called ahead and the dinner was ready when he arrived at the restaurant they had frequented last summer. He knew the dishes she favored. There was work waiting to be done back at his apartment. He had to get into the office early tomorrow. But he wanted this time with Cath.
Trace was struck by how pretty she looked when she opened the door. She was wearing the same casual slacks and a loose-fitting top she’d had on that morning. Her hair hung around her shoulders soft and wavy. Her eyes looked bright and there was faint color in her cheeks.
For one blinding moment he wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her till she didn’t know her own name, then take her to bed. Gritting his teeth against that urge, he held up the white paper bag.
“I got everything you liked,” he said, banishing the image.
“I hope you got something you like, too,” she said.
“Sure.”
She stepped aside and he entered her apartment. In only moments she had plates on the dining room table and they were opening the various cartons of food.
Once they began to eat, he broached the subject, “We need to talk about how to present this to the world,” Trace said. “Once you tell your family, and I tell mine, there’s no reason to keep it a secret.”
“The thing is, Trace, I hate for everyone to think this baby came as a result of a one-night stand. I’d rather they thought we were at least attracted to each other and as a result the baby came to be, rather than they learn the truth.”
He frowned and didn’t say anything for a few moments. He studied Cath for a moment. He realized he didn’t like the thought, either, that people would think they’d just made love once. He wanted more for Cath. And for himself. He wanted to be a part of her life. Not for the baby, but for himself. The thought shocked him. Was he thinking long-term?
“So what do you suggest?” he asked cautiously.
“I don’t know exactly but maybe we could pretend we meant more to each other than just casual friends. Not that I expect you to forego dating whomever you wish. But we could at least talk like we were more involved than we were, or something.”
He made a wry face. “I’m sure we could come up with a convincing story. In fact, if we continued to see each other it would minimize any gossip.”
Cath giggled softly at his expression.
“The mighty confirmed bachelor would have to admit he knows that he’s been caught in the baby trap?”
“It’s not a trap. A child is a wondrous thing. I’m determined to be there for him or her all its life.”
“I know you are,” she said softly.
“But there’ll be enough kidding once the world hears the truth. I can just imagine what a couple of guys I know are going to say.”
For years, ever since the divorce, Trace swore he would never get involved seriously again. Not that the subject had arisen much but when out drinking with some of his longtime friends like Stan and Tad, they’d often gotten into philosophical discussions after a couple of beers. Trace had been adamant in his non involvement stance. He could just imagine the razzing his friends would give him once they discovered he was going to be a father.
