Page 59 of Draft Pick

With a sigh, I leaned back onto the couch, the weight of my decisions feeling a bit lighter for having shared them with a friend who understood the art of self-preservation all too well.

"So what was so complicated about it?" Danielle asked, returning to my original answer.

I chuckled ruefully, picking at a loose thread on a cushion. "He made dinner, and we actually talked. Like,reallytalked. He has twin little brothers and it sounds like he's a good big brother, which shouldn't surprise me but I found it really sweet. Maybe because I don't have any siblings and always wanted a little brother or sister but it really moved me the way he talked about them."

She set her phone down, giving me her full attention now. "People are so full of contradictions, right? But to play devil's advocate, he can be a great older brother but end up an unreliable dad."

"You just told me to trust my instincts and now you're giving me more reasons to second-guess myself," I groaned. "Pick a lane."

Danielle laughed, shrugging. "What can I say? I'm complex."

I chuckled, murmuring ruefully, "You're something that's for sure." But I felt the need to defend Cason. "He's trying, though. He even remembered my favorite ice cream."

Danielle raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "The way to a woman's heart is through mint chip, huh?"

"I don't know," I sighed, my fingers tracing patterns on the fabric. "He wants to be involved, be there for the baby and I can't fault him for that. I invited him to the ultrasound next week. Seemed only right."

"Sounds like he's stepping up. But are you okay with all this, Star? I know you have feelings for him. You can play this two ways: one, co-parent as friends or try the relationship route. Which one feels like the right choice?"

I didn't want to be friends with Cason, not like that. "I want to be in a relationship with him," I admitted, privately cringing at how it made me feel like I should turn in my feminist card, even though that was ridiculous. "I really like him. Like, a lot." I couldn't say that I loved him because I barely knew the guy, but I could see myself falling for him real easy if he kept acting like my own personal Prince Charming.

"But…" Daniella prompted, waiting for the drop.

I bit my lip, looking away. "Part of me is scared to trust him again, but another part…well, it's like there's this hope, you know?"

Danielle reached over, squeezing my hand. "Just don't rush into anything. You've got a little bambino to think about now. And whatever you decide, I'm here for you. Team Starlie all the way."

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. "Thanks, Dani. I just wish I knew what the right decision is."

She leaned back, her gaze thoughtful. "Sometimes, there isn't a right or wrong decision. Just the decision you make and what you do with it."

Her words lingered in the air as we both fell into a comfortable silence, the only sound the occasional crunch of chips as Danielle returned to doom-scrolling on her phone.

I closed my eyes, letting the day's fatigue wash over me. The path ahead was murky filled with uncertainties, but I didn't have the luxury of drifting from one decision to the next. I had a few months to figure this out, which didn't seem long enough.

Sighing, I rose from the sofa and said goodnight. Danielle might be able to stay up all night without consequence, but that wasn't my life. I had class tomorrow morning and the night shift at Funky Fusion. Just thinking about my schedule made me tired already.

Climbing into bed, I couldn't help but replay every moment of the evening with Cason. His earnest eyes, the warmth of his hands, and that lopsided grin that seemed to pierce right through my guarded heart. Maybe if he weren't so damn cute, it would be easier to figure this out.

Don't forget funny and thoughtful, a voice reminded me.Not helpful, I shot back.

I rolled over, hugging my pillow tight. The image of Cason gently massaging my feet was vivid, almost painfully sweet. I'd been so certain about keeping my distance, yet there I was, melting under his touch like butter on a hot skillet.

And then there was the ultrasound appointment. Inviting him felt right in the moment, but now, in the quiet of my bedroom, doubt gnawed at me. Was I moving too fast, giving him too much too soon? I bit my lip, the taste of mint chip ice cream lingering as a bittersweet reminder of the evening. I should've brushed my teeth. The last thing I needed was a dentist's bill on top of everything that needed to be purchased.

Babies were so damn expensive. How did people afford kids in this economy? I was barely scraping by now, what would happen when I had an extra mouth to feed? Also, I barely managed the most straightforward cooking tasks, how was I supposed to suddenly master feeding another person when I scarcely managed to feed myself? I ate a lot of leftovers from the restaurant and had lots of cereal when I was home.

In the midst of my stress spiral, my phone buzzed on the nightstand, a text from Cason:

Sleep well, Star. I can't stop thinking about our little nugget... and you. ??

I smiled despite myself. Cason was trying, really trying. And wasn't that what I wanted? Someone who wouldn't give up on us, even when things got tough?

But then, a tiny voice in my head whispered, "He's done this before — got your hopes up and then smashed them to smithereens." Could I really trust him not to repeat history?

I typed a quick reply, keeping it light.

Goodnight, Cason. And thanks for the royal foot treatment. ??

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