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Forrest is still looking at me like I’ve lost my head. We’re sitting in the same coffee shop after I managed to extend my lunch break. It wasn’t that difficult, but I know it’s going to hit me later. I don’t care; I need someone to talk to.
“Well.” Forrest whistles and sips his coffee. “Fuck. Out of the two of us to get someone knocked up, I would have said it would be me. And yet here you are…”
“It was an accident. And I’m going to take responsibility for it.”
“At least you’ve got her number now. She can’t get away from you now.”
I shake my head at his comment.
“Don’t say something like that, Forrest. You make her sound like she’s a treasure I need to keep locked up.”
“Well, I’ve seen what she looks like, and I can see why you want to treat her that way.” Forrest smirks. “She’s pretty gorgeous. I think if she didn’t have your attention, I’d make a go of it…”
I growl, which makes Forrest jump. Sitting forward, I jab a finger in my friend’s direction.
“Don’t you fucking dare. You’re not going anywhere near her, Forrest. Not if I have anything to do with it.”
“Okay, calm down,” Forrest laughs. “I’m not going to do anything. And your reaction tells me everything I need to know.”
I don’t know what he’s talking about, and I don’t like thinking about Forrest being with Emma. My best friend is younger, handsome and looks like he’s constantly out in the sun with his olive skin. He clearly works out, his dark hair always impeccable. All the ladies flock to him whenever we’re out together, which I am fine with; Forrest is a charmer and happy to play around. I’m more of the steady wingman.
This time, the wingman has a woman he wants, and I don’t want Forrest around Emma. Not just yet, anyway.
The thought of Emma finding Forrest more attractive sends me into a slight panic.
“So?” Forrest sits forward. “What are you going to do? You said you’re keeping the baby, but have you figured out anything beyond that?”
“No, not yet. Emma wanted time to digest what was still going on, and I said I’d meet her in a couple of days to go over everything properly.”
“How’s she taking it?”
“Nervous. She’s scared about the pregnancy. It wasn’t in her plan at all, and I get that.” I absently rub my palms on my thighs. “I wish I hadn’t put this on her, but at the same time I don’t regret it.”
“I hope you haven’t told her that, otherwise she’s going to think you see her as an incubator.”
“I don’t see her as that.”
“What do you see her as that?”
I see her as mine. That’s what she is to me.
Before I can respond in a way that doesn’t make me sound like a caveman, my phone starts ringing. I almost barely glance at it as I reach for it - if it’s work, they can call someone else in the office - but then I see the name that’s been in my head for the last couple of months. She’s calling me already?
I answer almost immediately.
“Emma? You okay?”
“You remember that issue I had when we met?” Emma’s voice is trembling. “With my ex?”
“Yes, I remember.”
How could I forget something like that? Rick had given me bad vibes, and Emma clearly didn’t want to be anywhere near him. She had vented about him a bit while we talked, and I could tell that she was angry about being around him. He had followed her to Paris, after all, using her love of rugby to his advantage to corner her.
I certainly don’t have any good thoughts about that man.
“Well, he knows that I’m pregnant now.” Emma swallows. “He…my friend…they think…God, I don’t know what I’m saying.”
“Just take deep breaths, Emma. I’m right here.”
