I bit my lip nervously as I waited for him reply. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing. My head and heart were full of Josh, and I was nearly five months pregnant, but there I was texting some guy I’d met in a bar. I knew nothing could come from texting him—hell, I didn’t even want anything to come from it—but I’d have been lying if I said it didn’t feel good to have some attention from someone. I was pulled from my thoughts by the buzz of an incoming message, and I looked down at myscreen.
Alex: I’m good, even better now that you’ve replied. Can I take you out for adrink?
I dropped my phone and slumped back down on the bed. I knew I should just stop this immediately, tell him I’m pregnant, and delete his number. There was no way he would want to take me out for a drink if he knew the truth, and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go with him anyway. From what I could remember, he was extremely good-looking with bright blue eyes and short blond hair, and he had seemed really nice when I’d dragged him into my argument with Josh. I sighed and picked up myphone.
Me: I’m not sure that’s such a good idea Alex, I have a lot going on at the moment,sorry.
My screen flashed with a response almostimmediately.
Alex: That’s what you said on Friday night, is this because of that guy? Just come out with me on one date, what do yousay?
Me: There would be no point, trustme.
I knew I should just tell him I was pregnant; he wouldn’t even want a chance then. The phone buzzedagain.
Alex: One date Savannah, sayyes.
I sighed and closed my eyes. Part of me wanted to go out with Alex, even if it was only to piss Josh off, which I knew was an immature thing to do and not at all fair to Alex, but then it was Alex that was pushing for the date, even though he knew I was hung up on Josh. Josh always got so worked up when he saw me with someone else; he didn’t want me, but it seemed he didn’t want anyone else to have meeither.
I smoothed my hand down my t-shirt and over my small bump. You couldn’t really tell I was pregnant, and I didn’t have to tell him, right? I could just go on one date with him, one last date before my social life was non-existent and consisted of bottle feeds and diaper changes. Before I changed my mind, I quickly typed out areply.
Me: Okay, one date, but not a drink. Do youride?
Alex: Sweetheart, I’m from Texas, of course Iride.
Me: A ride to the river on the edge of the ranch I live on? Are you free in abit?
I knew I wasn’t exactly being fair to him, agreeing to a date when I knew it couldn’t go anywhere, but hopefully a date in the middle of the day screamed friendship rather than romance. I sighed and shook my head. Who was I kidding? A ride through the ranch to the river screamed romance. God, I was an idiot, but I didn’t have time to try to put him off the idea as my phone buzzed in my handagain.
Alex: That sounds great Savannah, I can be there in anhour?
He was definitely interested; I’d have to go along with it now and hope for the best. I sent him a message asking him to come at about 11:30 and told him my address. I checked the time: 9:30. I was guessing Josh would be at the cottage by now, and I knew I would have to show my face before I met Alex. Josh was, for whatever reason, giving up his free time to helpme.
I sighed as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Standing up, I padded acrossthe
room to the bathroom and climbed into the shower. As the hot water pounded my skin, I tipped my head back and closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling of the water massaging my body. I stayed under the spray for far longer than I needed to before drying off, throwing on some shorts and a sleeveless top, and making my way downstairs to thekitchen.
The aroma of bacon hit my nose as I pushed the door to the kitchen open. Four pairs of eyes turned to face me, and I stopped in the doorway as Mom, Dad, Brody, and Josh all stared atme.
“Morning sweetheart,” my mom said before smiling and turning back to thestove.
“Morning. What are you all doing here?” I asked, avoiding making eye contact withJosh.
“We’ve all been at the cottage since early this morning, and your mom’s just making us some breakfast before we continue with the painting,” my dad replied, crossing the kitchen and kissing me on the head. “Sit down,” he said, guiding me to thetable.
“You’ve all been at the cottage?” I asked in surprise, only then noticing that they all had paint spattered on theirclothes.
“It’s almost finished,” my mom said from the stove. “You should go look afterbreakfast.”
I nodded. “Thank you,” I whispered, finally finding Josh’s gaze. He flashed me his heart-stopping smile and butterflies erupted in my stomach. Even though I didn’t have a clue where I stood with him and was meeting Alex in just over an hour, his smile was infectious and I found myself grinning back athim.
“Savannah?” I heard my mom say, dragging my attention back to everyone else in the room. As I turned to look at her, I caught her smiling at me. “Do you want some bacon?” she asked with awink.
“I’ll try some, it smells great,” I told her, my face flushing as I realized she’d seen me grinning like an idiot at Josh. “I hope it doesn’t make me throw up!” Iexclaimed.
“Now, now, Savannah, your mom’s cooking isn’t that bad,” my dad said with alaugh.
“Hey!” my mom exclaimed, reaching out and swatting him with the spatula that was in her hand. “You can make your own bacon next time, smart mouth!” she told him, a smile forming on herlips.