Page 68 of Baby Maker

“Emphasis on was, right?” Another swallow from her wineglass. At this rate, she’ll down a bottle before we order. “What about my life here? I have the studio and the house.”

“It’s a seller’s market, so you’ll get top dollar for your house. Plus, they love yoga down there. You can open a studio anywhere.”

Now she’s taking deep gulping breaths, her gaze focused on her empty plate. “Sell my house. Right. Sell the house that I bought with Nigel to move to Long Island and be your neighbor.”

“It’s a start, Calli. We ease into things.”

“How is that easing into anything, Keegan? You want me to uproot my life, sell my home—”

“You don’t even like that house.”

“That’s not the point.”

I feel my anger rising with every minute, my foot tapping erratically against the ground. “Then what is the point, Calli? I know this is a big change, but change is good.”

“For whom? You? You’ve got this huge job offer and your family and friends down there. What do I have?”

“Me. You have me.”

“As. Your. Neighbor.”

Deep breaths, Keegan. The neighbor idea did not go over well. New plan. “We could buy a house together, then. I didn’t think you’d want to move quickly with me. Not after Cape Cod.”

Calli finally meets my gaze, her eyes bright with tears. “Do you want to move quickly? What do you want, Keegan? From me?”

Christ, she is not asking me that question. What do I want with her? Everything. What will I admit? At this point, not a whole hell of a lot. The last two times I opened my heart to Calli, she trampled it. Even if she didn’t mean it, my heart still took a beating.

Besides, I’ve no idea what she wants from me. And I’m not giving out any information until I know where she stands.

“I don’t want us to end,” I offer, hoping it will be enough for her to see past my fear.

“That tells me nothing. I guess you actually did tell me what you wanted. Neighbors with benefits. Forgive me if that sounds terrible from my end.”

“It’s a starting point. Like I said, we can buy something together.”

A bark of laughter rises from her chest. “So, investment partners with benefits. Am I close?”

I’ve never seen this side of Calliope—harsh and biting—and all aimed in my direction. It’s taking everything in me to maintain an even keel because the truth is that I shouldn’t be the one on the defensive.

I wasn’t the one who pulled the plug on our relationship.

I wasn’t the one who ran away.

“What about a future?” Now her gaze focuses out the window, her lips pursed in a thin line.

“Isn’t that what we’re discussing? A future on Long Island?”

“No, you’re discussing real estate options. I’m asking about a future for us. I assume you’ll take over my case on Long Island?”

My mouth goes dry. Maybe I didn’t hear her correctly. “What are you talking about?”

“The baby I planned to have with Nigel.”

She’s kidding. She has to be fucking kidding. “Is that still your plan?”

“I don’t know, Keegan. You don’t want any of the things I want, per your own admission.”

“That was before.” My voice is low, barely audible at this point.

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