Page 48 of The Wedding Driver
“I told you before that you didn’t hurt me.”
He sighed. “But I did and what bothers me is I did so because I was afraid, not because everything I said was true, though I thought it was at the time.”
“Foster, I’m okay. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I’m sorry that I used what happened with Victoria to put a wedge between what was happening with us. I care deeply for you and your happiness is important to me. I know children is something you want and the fact that I’m not sure if I can give that to you—”
“We don’t have to have a repeat of this conversation. We’ve said everything that needs to be said. It’s time to move on.”
“I know you’re mad, but please let me finish,” he said. He could absolutely understand why she was pissed, but he wanted a fair shake. “I’d like to try again.”
“Dating?”
“Yes.”
“Did you all of a sudden change your mind and want to get married and have a family?” she asked with a sharp tone.
This was not going as well as he would have hoped. “I don’t know exactly how I feel about kids,” he admitted. “I only know that I care about you and I want to be with you. I want to explore where it takes us. I know it’s a risk and you were willing to take it with me before. I was hoping we could try again.”
“No.” She stood. “I’m sorry, but you were right. Kids are something that are not negotiable and I’m not willing to spend time in a relationship if that’s not something you have no idea if you want. I don’t regret putting my feelings for you out there. I would have never been able to move forward had I not done that.”
“What are you saying?”
“We’re not meant to be.” She bent over and kissed his cheek. “We’ll always be friends. That’s not going to change. I’ll send business your way and I hope you will still do the same.”
“Of course I will.” His heart dropped to his toes. “Tonya. I don’t understand. A week ago you were willing to take this journey with me.”
“I’ve had some time to think about what matters to me and you’re right. Kids are a deal breaker, so unless you can say without a doubt you’re willing to have one in the future, I need to move on and find a partner who wants the same things as me.” She turned on her heel and left him sitting there, stunned.
He shouldn’t have been totally shocked or heartbroken, but watching her walk away left him with a hole in his soul.
One that he was going to do everything in his power to fix.
13
Tonya hugged her sister, Tiki. She held on to her tight. The tears burned her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re home.” Tonya hadn’t wanted to make girls’ night all about her and her problems. She wanted to hear about Tiki and Lake’s honeymoon and her next book. However, her heart still hurt over Foster. She tried to be strong, especially after seeing him at their grandfather’s house yesterday, but her thoughts were all-consuming. Getting over him was going to be the hardest thing she ever had to do.
“Move over and let me get a squeeze.” Tayla shoved Tonya out of the way and embraced Tiki. “You’re positively glowing.”
“We had such an amazing time.” Tiki smiled from ear to ear. “I did miss you two crazy bitches.”
“Of course you did.” Tayla turned and opened a bottle of wine. “This might be the last time we can all drink together.” She poured three glasses. “Gael and I are officially trying to get pregnant.”
“That’s so exciting,” Tiki said. “Lake and I tossed birth control out the window, so you and me both.”
Tonya swallowed. Mentally, she did a count of when she should get her period.
They had sex right after she finished her last cycle, so it would be a while. She didn’t have the most regular period, but she couldn’t tolerate the pill. She’d thought about going on other forms of birth control, but she didn’t have a boyfriend, so she didn’t have regular sex. She figured when that happened, she and whoever she was in a relationship with would discuss their options. After she and Foster had sex, she’d chosen not to mention the only form they’d used was the condom. That was enough for the time being. If things had progressed, she would have wanted to use something else. Condoms were a pain in the ass.
“This is so exciting. I’m so happy for both of you.” Tonya raised her glass in a toast. She wanted to celebrate her sisters and how awesome it would be if they were both pregnant simultaneously. That would be spectacular. Utterly amazing. Her ovaries were on fire, thinking about the possibility.
The pressure to have a husband and children hadn’t been at the forefront of her world until she hooked up with Foster, and then it all came crashing down. Part of her should have known that would happen. She loved Foster and she’d been in denial about that fact. Sleeping with him forced her to admit that to herself and by doing so, she had to accept that having a family was something she desired.
If she couldn’t have it with Foster, she’d force herself to get past him and she’d open her heart to a man who would give her everything her heart craved. She knew it could happen. She’d witnessed it with other people in her life. Tiki for one. Her heart had been broken by her ex-boyfriend, Josh. But then she met Lake and everything changed; now they had the world at their fingertips.
And Tonya had never seen her sister so happy.
The same went for her other sister Tayla.
