Page 2 of Most Likely to Fear Love

“Which makes me wonder why you couldn’t go through more official channels. You’re not exactly poor.”

“No, but it’s prohibitively expensive to do it on my own, and it would mean cutting back on my pro bono work, which I’d rather not do.”

Her sigh let me know she wasn’t too happy with my reasoning, but she pushed on. “You’d nearly given up and were just about to take the ad down when this guy messaged you.” Hannah carried the mugs of coffee over to the table, setting one in front of me.

“Uh huh.”

“Read the message to me again.”

“For the fifth time?”

“You’re humoring me, remember?”

Biting back a sigh, I pulled my phone from my back pocket.

“Hi Cassidy, I saw your ad and just wanted to reach out. I’m interested in helping if you think I’d be a good fit. I completely understand that this is a big decision, so if you’d like, I’m more than happy to answer any questions about me and my background. No pressure. I’m just here to help if I can. Let me know what would make you most comfortable going forward. Harle.”

“Very good, very good. And you replied…”

“Hi, Harle. Thanks for reaching out. If you’re comfortable, maybe we could start with a bit about you? Just the basics. Background, health, anything else you think might be relevant. I’d like to make sure we’re on the same page before going further. Thanks again for being open about this. It means a lot.”

“I like it. You’re keeping your cards close to your chest. Not giving anything away.”

“Thanks.”

“And then?”

“We texted back and forth a few more times after that. He seemed really genuine, you know? Not pushy at all, just understanding.”

Hannah raised an eyebrow. “And you didn’t think that was too good to be true?”

As if I haven’t asked myself that question a thousand times. “Honestly? At first, I did. But the more we talked, the more I got a really good vibe from him. He responded to my messages really quickly, hasn’t pushed me to meet up or shit like that. I don’t know, it just feels right.”

“Okay then. Now take me through your safety precautions, coz you fucking well know that’s what’s freaking me out the most.”

“Yeah, I get that.” I set my mug down, tracing the rim with my finger. “Having you here, for starters. Thank you for that. And thank you for keeping it to yourself.” The last thing I needed was everyone else getting up in my business.

“No problem. What else?”

“I told him outright that if we were going to move forward, I’d need him to get tested for STIs and send me the results.”

“And how did he react to that?”

“He was totally cool with it, said he completely understood and that he’d get it done right away. Even offered to pay for it himself.”

“Wow, that’s actually pretty impressive.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“And you’re sure he doesn’t want to be in the baby’s life?”

“Since I’ve never met him, I can’t be a hundred percent sure. But I’ve got the contract all drawn up. If he doesn’t sign it, I won’t be going ahead with it.”

“Anyone would think you were a lawyer.”

“Har har.” Extra funny because I was, in fact, a lawyer. Sure, an environmental lawyer, but I knew my way around a contract.

“What if the child wants to reach out to him later?”

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