Page 22 of New Year, New Baby
Adora smiles and nods.
“I love that about you, Noves.Always be prepared, like Smokey Bear.”
“You know it,” I giggle.But then my expression changes.“So what do you think I should do about Hunter?I mean, I’m living in his home, I’m having his baby, and I’m basically going to be dependent on him after the kid’s born.I can’t just go out and get a job.”
Adora’s silent for a moment, thoughtful.
“Well, you know that you can only answer that question for yourself, Noves.But it sounds like you don’t have that many choices.I mean, I don’t mean to be a downer, but yeah, what about money?Kids aren’t cheap, and you need a spare pair of hands.Even if all Hunter does is hire a nanny to help you with the baby, still that’ll be a lot.”
“But you’ll be there too, right?”I ask with a quizzical arch to my eyebrows.“You’re Auntie Dora, after all.”
My blonde friend nods.
“Of course, but you know I know nothing about babies.Hell, I haven’t held a baby in like a million years.And I have never changed a diaper in my life, so you’ll need Hunter’s help.”
I sigh, my shoulders sagging.
“Yeah, that’s what I figure.Dang, I never thought I’d be so reliant on a man.”
Adora shoots me a searching look, her fingers snug around the mug in her hand.
“But let me just say something, girlfriend.You seem really happy right now.I mean, I know you haven’t figured things out with your babydaddy, but it seems like you’re really content.You know you’re taken care of, with a roof over your head, plenty of food to eat, and a man who adores you.”
“Who says he adores me?”I ask, my cheeks heating a bit.“I never said that!”
Adora shoots me a sideways smile.
“Girl, it’s obvious.You are the definition of fat, pregnant, and happy.You’re glowing, and it’s because you know that Hunter wants your pregnant bod.He wants that baby.He wants the three of you to have a happily ever after and despite his horrific missteps, that’s what you want too.So my only question is: why are you making him suffer?”
“Because he deserves it!”I retort emphatically.“That man pretended to give me birth control, but swapped in sugar pills instead!And now, there are real consequences.”
“Consequences that you love,” my friend slips in.
“True,” I say.“But that whole thing with my mom is so fucked up too.How he said ‘we respond the same in bed’ and even ‘like the same sexual positions.’Oh my god, so gross!”
Adora nods thoughtfully before flicking a long lock of blonde hair over one shoulder.
“Noves, can I say something that’s a little offensive?You might not want to hear it.”
“No.”
She smiles sassily.“I know you want to hear it.But the truth is that sexual thing he does to you – I mean,anywoman would like it.Who doesn’t like getting their clit stroked and rubbed?Who doesn’t cream heavily into a man’s hand while it’s happening?I mean, maybe you misunderstood.Or maybe Hunter’s misunderstanding himself, but it doesn’t sound like it’s the craziest sex move in the world.I think he could be confused.”
I shrug.
“Maybe.Not everyone ends up falling in love with their late wife’s daughter.It would spook anyone.”
“And I think it spooked him, which is agoodthing,” Adora emphasizes.“It means he has a conscience.It means he respects the memory of his late wife, and respects you too.Maybe you should go easier on him, and give him a chance?At least talk to him a little.I think it’ll be easier to raise a child together if you at least talk.”
“Maybe,” I concede.Then I wink.“But I kind of like having him wrapped around my little finger right now.It’s nice to have an alpha male on leash and collar.”
With that, we both burst out laughing because the truth is that I adore Hunter Taggart.I’ve been giving him the cold shoulder as punishment for his lies and betrayal, but maybe it’s time to stop.After all, our baby will be born soon ...and he or she deserves to have a doting daddy.
11
Hunter
Life has been sheer hell.I gaze morosely at my computer, my eyes open but seeing nothing.I’m in a fucked-up situation because my plans backfired, and frankly, I deserve it.I gave sugar pills to my stepdaughter, instead of real birth control, and she got pregnant with my baby.
