I lean over the kitchen counter, panting desperately as I drink in Brock’s words. I’ve had one of the hardest days ever, and I sure as hell didn’t expect it to end here with Brock in my home, apologizing for everything and asking me to start again. It feels very overwhelming. I need to get my brain in order.

I want to try again, to give him a chance, to see if we can be this perfect family unit, but I’m scared. So frightened it hurts. I can’t let him back in just to lose him again. I don’t think I’ll survive it.

But if I don’t at least give it a try, I’ll always be wondering what if. I’ll hate myself forever.

I nod to myself and take my shaky legs back into the living room. Once there, I look at Brock, really look at him, and I see all our amazing times together, every moment where he made me feel special. The shared kisses, the shivers up and down my spine, the way he’s so soft when he touches me, the loving look in his eyes . . .

Yes, I think decisively with a nod of my head. Yes, definitely, this is the right thing to do.

“Okay,” I finally reply with a shaky tone. “One date. We can see if there’s something here.”

His whole body lights up. He looks like a damn Christmas tree with excitement. I actually giggle at the sight of him. I rub my hand protectively over my belly, just like I do all the time, and know that we need to give this a go for our child. Our little boy or girl who will be here soon. It might not work out, but I’m sure we both know that. If we go in with eyes wide open, then it has to be okay. It just has to be. I need to have faith.

“Do we need to set some ground rules to make sure we don’t . . . I don’t know, argue?”

“You think we might?” His confident grin makes my heart flutter. “I can’t see that happening.”

“I know. I’ll be honest, I can’t either. But I want to make sure it’s all safe.”

“Okay, so why don’t we have a frank, honest discussion once the date is done? See what we think?”

“Yeah . . . communication. That’s a good plan. That’s where we went wrong last time.”

“You’re really going to have to tell me how you feel though. You can’t keep anything inside.”

I nod slowly, knowing that’s going to be hard for me, but also that I’m willing to try. “Yes, of course.”

He stretches out his hand as if he’s going to touch me, and all my skin prickles with anticipation. I remember what it feels like to have him all over me, and I want it so badly. But just before he actually connects with me, he seems to think better of it, and disappointment crushes me as his hand falls away.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow night. Or is that too soon?”

“You don’t need to be so skittish around me, you know? I’ve agreed to go out with you.”

He grins, seeing my point, and he starts again. “I’ll see you at seven tomorrow night then.”

“Seven o’clock. Fair enough. Are you coming to pick me up here?”

“I sure am. I’m looking forward to it already. It’ll be good. I promise you.”

“Yeah, I believe you.” We share an intense look which flutters all the way through me. A dormant hope breaks free inside of me, dying slowly only as he walks toward the door. “You’re leaving?”

“Yes, I am. I have a lot of planning to do, and I’m sure we both need some time to wrap our heads around it.”

Weirdly, I don’t want him to go. I suppose it’s because the image of the two of us walking around the baby shop buying things for our child is in my mind. And not because he can afford things I can’t, but because of him. I want him to be in the image, whatever he can or cannot do, because we were so good.

“Okay. Well, I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“That you will.”

As the door closes behind him, I nearly squeal with glee. This is amazing. I didn’t know I could feel this good. Brock still wants me . . . he finally understands. He wants our baby too. He’s prepared to be the father that our child needs him to be. I need to call Millie up immediately and yell at her and thank her in equal measures. I wonder if she knew this would happen when she went to see him. I don’t understand what she was thinking.

I dig around in the bottom of my kitchen drawer for an old cell phone that I know is there. Hopefully, I can still make calls from it. Getting rid of my phone and Lucas after that awful conversation in the heat of the moment felt good, but now the consequences are here to bite me on the ass.

I dial her number fast and press the phone to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Is that trepidation I hear in your voice?” I tease. “Because you know what I’m about to say?”

“No, it’s because I didn’t recognize the number. Is this you, Jodi?”

“It sure is, and I think we need to have a serious chat, don’t you?”

“I, uh . . .” She doesn’t want to drop herself in it just in case. This is hilarious. “I don’t know . . .”

“Brock has just been to see me. Apparently, he’s had a little visit from you.”

“He has? Are you totally fuming mad with me? I’m sorry, I just hated seeing you unhappy.”

“I’m shocked. I can’t believe you did that, but it actually turned out okay. We finally talked.”

“You did? Oh, thank God. That’s all I wanted to happen. I just wanted him to finally speak to you.”

“Is that why you gave him an ultrasound image?” I hope she can tell from my voice that I’m not mad.

“I’m sorry, I know it wasn’t my place to tell him, but he’s just such a stubborn fuck, don’t you think?”

“Oh yeah, I know. I would have done the same if I thought he’d talk to me about it.”

“So . . . what did you guys talk about? How did it go? Was anything . . . resolved?”

“Actually, it was, and I need your help for it. He’s taking me out on a date tomorrow night.”

“A date? That seems random. Aren’t you guys a bit past dating? You have a baby coming.”

“We sure are, but this is what he wants so there’s no pressure. A date to see if there is anything there.”

“Oh my God, you two were so hot together when it was good. There has to be something still there.”

I laugh, internally agreeing with her. “Maybe, but this isn’t about just being hot. There’s a baby.”

“Oh, of course. I know that. I just think this is going to be good for the two of you. I hope you both realize that you’re meant to be. Finally, just be happy. Now that Lucas is gone—”

“He is gone. That’s why I’m calling you from an old phone. He called me and asked me to bail him out.”

“You said no, right? Please tell me you said no.”

“I did say no. That guy is long gone. I can’t afford to look after him anyway.”

“No, not with your baby, but I suppose with Brock in the picture now, that won’t be so hard.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. This is just a date to see if there’s anything there.”

“Okay sure, you keep telling yourself that. You’ll be married in no time.”

I can’t help myself . . . I get so lost in the idea I almost lose my mind. Me, in a white dress, marrying him, making him mine forevermore. Him, vowing always to be there for me, to love me for his whole life. Talk about getting carried away—I feel like I’m already wed to him and we’re going to be happy forever.

“Well, I need you to come around here tomorrow to dress me nice. Can you do that? And I’m not talking about wedding dresses because I’m not getting ahead of myself. I’m talking normal date outfit. Well, normal pregnant lady date outfit if that’s even a real thing. Do people normally go on dates when pregnant?”

“You don’t need my help. You have a thousand things to wear. I’m sure this happens all the time . . . actually, no, I’m not sure of that at all. This is a very weird situation, but I’m sure it’ll have a good ending.”

“I have clothes for my pre-pregnant body, but now I don’t have a clue. And this is the most important date of my life.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll be there for you. You already know I will. What time is he picking you up?”

“Seven. Will you come a couple of hours before so I don’t freak out?”

“Sure, I’ll see you at five. Love you, girl. This is going to be awesome.”

“I love you too. See you then. And thank you again, Millie. You really are the best.”

“You look absolutely beautiful, Jodi. You’re going to blow him away tonight.”

I twirl around, seeing my outfit from every angle. I have on a black dress that I wouldn’t normally pick out. Millie practically had to force me into it, but it actually looks surprisingly okay. Especially with the nice curls she’s put in my hair and the way she’s made up my face. I actually look radiant.

“I hope so. I’m just all worked up about it all. I don’t know how it’ll go.”

“As long as you’re open and honest, as long as you answer any questions he wants answering, however hard it might be, and as long as you communicate effectively, then you’ll be building a solid foundation.” She rests her hands on my shoulders reassuringly. “This is your chance to have a proper relationship, as long as you trust.”

“Trust. That’s a hard word for me. It’s hard for him too. What if we’re too far gone?”

“Then it will become obvious, won’t it? You’ll figure it out. But if you don’t try, then you’ll never know.”

“It’s weird, isn’t it? For me to be so nervous? I already know him. We’ve spent a lot of time together already. We told each other that we loved each other once upon a time . . .”

“Yes, and it all backfired, so no wonder you’re nervous. But that was then, and this is now. Things have changed. Don’t you forget that. It isn’t just a sexy office fling anymore. It’s real.”

I suck in a few deep breaths and glimpse my reflection once more. “At least I look ready for it.”

“You sure do. You look ready to kick some serious ass, girl. Not that I think you’re going to need to. I have a feeling that this will be the most wonderful night ever. The start of your love story.”

The start of my love story . . . that makes me feel incredible. I want a true love story, a fairy tale ending, a happily ever after. I can see it, in the distance. All I need to do is reach out and grab it for it to be mine.

“What time is it? How long until he gets here?”

“It’s almost seven o’clock. You don’t need to wait too much longer.”

I put a hand over my chest, trying to calm my racing heart. If I don’t, it might burst out of my chest. A bloody mess, that’s all I need to be on this wonderful date. My thoughts are interrupted by the knocking at the door.

“Oh my God.” I grab Millie hard. “He’s here.”