Page 26 of Protect My Heart
‘Yes. I swore off drinking after that, at least for awhile.’
‘Why?’ His expression turns serious. ‘Do you regret what happened that night?’
‘No,’ I say, and I honestly don’t. Even knowing what that night resulted in, I still don’t regret it. It was the best night of my life. I doubt I’ll ever experience something like that again. ‘I just decided to take a break from drinking after that.’
Andrea returns. ‘Did you decide what you want?’
‘I’ll have the chicken,’ I tell her, setting the menu down.
‘I’ll have the steak,’ Jason says.
She takes the menus and turns to Jason. ‘Are you taking anyone to your brother’s wedding?’
‘Probably not.’
‘If you change your mind, I have that night off.’ She gives him that flirty smile again.
‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
Her face lights up, like she thinks he’ll actually take her to the wedding. Maybe he will. There I go again, feeling jealous. I have no right to be jealous. I need to stop this.
‘Are you two dating?’ I casually ask once Andrea’s gone.
‘Not anymore. We went out a few times, but there wasn’t anything there.’
‘I think she disagrees.’
‘Yeah, she wants to go out again. She saw my mom at the store last weekend and asked her if I was seeing anyone.’
‘Are you?’
‘No. Well, I was, but it didn’t work out. We only went out a few times.’
‘Sounds like you go on a lot of dates.’
‘But they never turn into anything. I know right away if there’s potential there and if there’s not, I end it. I don’t keep seeing someone just to avoid being alone.’
‘I’m the same way. Or I am now. When I was younger I didn’t like being single so I’d date a guy even if I wasn’t that into him.’
‘Are you seeing anyone now?’
‘No,’ I say with a laugh, imagining myself dating with a big pregnant belly.
‘Why is that funny?’
I’m not ready to tell him the real reason so I say, ‘Because I have no time to date. Between work and my classes, I barely have time to sleep.’
‘You’ll have time now that your classes are over. Do you think you’ll start dating?’
‘No.’ I look down at the table, suddenly realizing I may be alone for a very long time. How many guys want to date a woman with a baby that’s not theirs? And when would I have time to date? I’ll have a job and a baby to care for.
‘Because you’re leaving?’
I look up at Jason. ‘What?’
‘The reason you don’t want to date. Is it because you’re leaving? Going back to Boston?’
It’s because I’m pregnant. With your child. And because I still have feelings for you, which makes no sense since I only spent a night with you.
