“That sounds familiar, but I don’t know what it is.”
She shakes her head. “It’s a good thing I get to pick the next movie.”
“Oh God,” I say, amping up my horror. “Another Disney movie?”
“What’s wrong with Disney?”
“It’s lame.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Is too,” I tease. “But really, why do you still like that stuff?”
She shrugs. “I like seeing good triumph over evil and seeing love always win. Real life doesn’t always give our happily ever afters.”
I just nod, hoping I can give Lauren the happy ending she deserves. We’re two months into this dating thing, and I think I’m doing all right so far.
“So,” I start. “Have you thought of names?”
“I have. Ethan, Peter, Jackson, and Aiden are my top boys names.”
“Nope to Peter. He’d face a lifetime of dick jokes. Ethan, eh, not really a fan. Same with Aiden. Jackson is a yes, but that’s because I like Sons of Anarchy.”
“Jackson it is then.”
“What about girl names?”
“I think it’s a boy,” she says.
I shake my head. “Nope. It’s a girl.”
“I hope it’s a girl,” she says and takes my hand again. “Is that horrible to admit?”
I slow and tip my head down to look into her eyes. “No, because I want a girl too.”
“You do?”
“I want her to be like you.”
Lauren’s green eyes get a bit misty. Then she blinks and looks away. “Well, I’m not perfect. And hopefully this kid doesn’t inherit my asthma. Or shellfish allergies. Or fear of heights and public speaking.”
“You can’t pass that stuff down, right?”
“Nah. Well, the allergies and asthma yeah, of course. But not the fears.”
“If it’s a girl, I hope she looks like you. But has my height, because you’re kind of short.” We both laugh and I lean over to kiss her. “But if it’s a girl?”
“Ella. I’ve had my heart set on that forever.”
“Ella Wilson … I can work with that.”
“You want our kid to have your last name?”
Her question is like a sucker punch. A reminder that we’re not actuallytogether. A reminder that she doesn’t love me. Not yet, at least.
“Noah!” someone calls.
I look up and see Melody slowing from a jog to a walk. She’s wearing a bright-pink sports bra, with a pushup underneath. Not that she needs it with those big, fake tits. Her spandex shorts just barely cover her ass, and she’s got a full face of makeup on. I turn to Lauren, eyes going to her belly. If I do end up with a daughter, I don’t want her to alter her body for the sake of sex appeal.