Page 45 of The Complication with the Best Man

My heart rate begins to return to normal, and I nod. “Okay, yeah, I’ll be there. Just send me the info.”

“Okay.” We stare at each other for a beat. “So, we’re really doing this.”

“We’re really doing this.”

I hold her gaze, feeling drawn in. This woman is like a magnet, and I’m helpless to resist. If she were any closer to me on the couch, I’d probably be leaning in to kiss her.

“Thank you for being here, for doing this,” she says.

My forehead wrinkles. “You don’t have to thank me, Harper. You didn’t get pregnant on your own. This isn’t just on you to deal with.”

She nods slowly, holding my gaze. “Maybe, but not every guy would see it that way.”

I shrug. “Well then, they’re assholes.”

We both chuckle, and I stand. If I stay here any longer, I’m afraid I’ll say something I’ll regret. “I’ll go check in at the resort for the night. You let me know about the spare room, and if it’s a problem, no worries, I’ll figure something out.”

She stands and sees me to the front door, swinging it open for me. “I’ll text you later after I talk with Maven.”

“Sounds good.” As I stare at her, the tension feels more like I’m leaving after a date than a conversation. Maybe it’s just because the only way I’ve ever really spent any time with this woman was in a hotel room when she was riding me. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

I force myself to leave and make my way to my rental truck. Another issue I have to take care of—transportation. Do I sell my truck in Vermont and buy a new one or drive it here?

I get in the driver’s seat and give Harper a wave. She’s leaning against the doorframe, watching me leave, and I have the sudden vision of what she might look like months from now, belly swollen with our baby. The level of pure male satisfaction that image gives me is a surprise. She waves back, and I reverse out of the driveway and head to the resort. Everything in my life is about to change. As crazy as it is, I’m excited for the future.

My grip on the steering wheel tightens. I hope I’m up for the challenge. One thing is for certain, I’m going to need to find out where AA meetings are held around here to make sure I stay on track.

* * *

The next morning,I wake up to a text from Harper.

Maven is ok with you staying here for a while. Let me know what time you’re leaving the hotel, and I’ll meet you to let you in the house.

Please thank her for me.

And you. Obviously. Thanks.

Jesus, it’s like I’ve never talked to a woman before. I need to kick this attraction to Harper to the curb.

I’ll get a key made this morning so you have one.

Great. Want to meet there at eleven?

See you then.

I figure I’ll go down to the restaurant here in the resort, then pack up my things. I have to make a few calls about my job and figure all of that out too. Deal with my lease in Vermont. And I need to see where the AA meetings in the area happen.

I blow out a breath. There’s a lot to do when you’re upending your life apparently.

Around eleven, I pull into the driveway of Harper’s house and see her car already there. The door swings open before I even knock, almost as though she’s been waiting for me.

“Welcome home.” She smiles and gestures inside.

It’s one of the things that first attracted me to her—her positive energy and zest for life, that touch of craziness and wild abandon. It was fine for a night of hot sex, but I have to question whether it’s good for me in the long term. I think she’ll make an amazing mother, no doubt, but since I’ve gotten sober, I’ve valued predictability and the status quo, knowing what to expect next.

Why the hell am I even thinking about this? It’s not as though Harper has indicated that she wants me at all, other than that she wants me to be involved in our child’s life.

“Thanks.” I step inside with my two suitcases. It’s all I brought with me.

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