Page 34 of Summer Nights

I shook my head, dipping my spoon in the ice cream. "Once you realize what's required, you'll think differently."

"You forget I have younger siblings. I know exactly how much work they were when they were little. I've kept Shep in line my entire life."

That was the first time I'd ever heard him complain about his twin. "They why would you want to deal with this too?"

"Ivy, I know this is a shock, and neither of us expected a baby but I'm happy about how things turned out.”

I raised a brow, not sure what to believe. It was easier to repeat my childhood story. Fathers don't stick around. The sooner I got in line with that truth, the better I'd feel. "You are?"

He was quiet for a few seconds and then said, "I can't help but think this baby was meant to be."

I ate another scoop of ice cream, letting the cool flavor melt on my tongue. I knew the truth. Babies were expensive, they required a lot of things, and they needed a lot of support from their parents. Was I cut out for this? "I wanted to be there for my siblings. How can I do both?"

Cooper shook his head. "You don't see yourself very well. You'll excel as a mother and a big sister. You could stay home, but I bet you'll want to work and be a mom. You'll want to have everything, and you'll do it with ease."

I let the spoon dangle from my finger, the ice cream forgotten. How did he see that? I didn't even know that about myself. "How do you know?"

"You're incredible."

I scoffed, even as his words worked their way through my body, leaving tingles in their wake. My mom never wanted to understand me, and I only let my friends see what I wanted them to. Cooper saw below the surface. Was he right? Would I be a good mother? "You don't think I'm making a huge mistake by going through with this?"

"This baby will be loved by so many people."

I blew out a breath.

"You'll give this a chance?"

I narrowed my gaze on him. "I'm having this baby, if that's what you mean. I'm not signing on for a relationship with his or her father."

The skin around Cooper's eyes crinkled as a slow smile spread over his face. "Fair enough."

"Elena said I need to make an appointment with my doctor to verify the pregnancy. But from what I researched, five at home pregnancy tests probably aren't wrong."

"Do you mind if I came with you to your appointment? I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I'd like to be there for you."

I nodded, my throat tight. How could I argue with that sweet sentiment? I wasn't convinced that he wouldn't change his mind, maybe request a paternity test or decide that he wanted nothing to do with me and the baby. It would be awkward, considering how close we were with our friends. But I didn't trust that anyone would be there for me.

"How did you know you were pregnant?" Cooper asked.

"I keep track of my period on my phone. It was late." I managed everything in my life with spreadsheet-like precision, so when it didn't come, I freaked out. Thankfully, Elena offered to help me.

"You aren't having any symptoms?"

I shook my head. "Not that I've noticed. But it's early."

"You want to share that ice cream?" Cooper waved a hand at the carton, which was quickly melting now.

She handed me the container. "Have at it."

We focused on the home renovation show. The familiar cadence of the host’s voice was comforting even as my life was imploding. I had plans for my life. Work hard, be successful, and save as much money as I could to support myself and my siblings. Getting pregnant wasn't on the list.

I'd never been confronted with something like this. I felt out of control. As if my entire life plan had just been set on fire. How could I support my siblings if I was raising a baby on my own?

Cooper was here now. But there was no guarantee he'd stick around. And I wouldn't beg him to stay. I'd promised myself a long time ago that if my father showed up, I wouldn't give him anything. He didn't deserve a second of my time. And I wouldn't beg Cooper to be a father to this baby either.

When we got sick of the ice cream, I put the carton in the freezer. I had an urge to open a bottle of wine, but I was pregnant. My go-to stress reliever wasn't available to me anymore.

When I returned to the living room, Cooper was watching me. "Everything okay?"

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