My appointment with the new doctor went well. To celebrate finding out the sex of our baby, Brodie insisted on treating me to ice cream and a shopping trip to an upscale baby boutique.

I can’t deny how adorable he is. He tries to buy the whole damn store. Insists we need everything and that he’s going to have the immaculate apartment cleaned and sterilized from top to bottom.

I don’t know why, but something feels like it’s all too good to be true.

We’re having a great time. It almost feels like we’re a real couple. He’s been sweet and affectionate. When we walk down the street he holds my hand wearing a goofy grin and stands between me and the street. I know he said he wanted a girl but the way his eyes lit up when the ultrasound technician told us we were having a boy, I know he is overjoyed at the prospect of a son to spoil. He’s already talking about hunting trips and going fishing. He said something about wrestling. I guess he and his brother were both on the team in high school. They are definitely built like they were athletes.

As we come out of the baby boutique, a woman runs up to Brodie, squealing. Her arms fling around his neck and his eyes dance with shock and excitement. “Lisa. Wow. Long time no see.”

“I just moved back last week. How are you? God, I’ve missed you.” She pulls back to gaze into his eyes.

I know we’re not together, but something inside me gets territorial. Maybe it’s the hormones but I want to claw her eyes out for hugging him. Fuck, I’m a mess.

As they gush over one another, I feel completely forgotten and like a third wheel. I shouldn’t be jealous but I am. The way they stand so close and pet each other like lovers would turns my stomach, and I feel the ice cream I had earlier creeping up my throat.

Brodie’s driver is parked a few spaces down. Instead of standing there being awkward or making a scene, I quietly start for the car. That woman is classy and beautiful in a way I’ll never be. Her outfit probably cost more than my whole wardrobe. Why did I think I stood a chance at making this into something real? He belongs with a woman like that. Not a one-night stand that anchored him with a baby.

“April?” Brodie hollers at me and I hesitate to turn around. I put on my best and bravest smile, hiding my unshed tears.

“I was just going to go to the car and give you some privacy.”

The woman, Lisa, looks me over and her eyes immediately narrow on my bump that is growing larger by the day.

“Don’t be crazy. I want Lisa to meet you.” He stares at me like I’ve grown a second head.

I shuffle over to the pair of them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Her hand goes to my stomach and I flinch, not wanting her to touch me. Why do strangers think it’s okay to grope a pregnant woman’s belly?

“Sorry. Where are my manners? Are you two…?” Her eyes widen as she glances between us.

Brodie surprises me, securing an arm around my waist. “Lisa, this is April, the mother of my son.” He beams with pride, but I notice he was careful not to put a label on me outside of mother of his baby. I can’t blame him. I don’t know why I’m being so weird about this. I never stopped to even wonder if he had someone. I mean, a man like him must have had a ton of relationships. Maybe Lisa is an ex.

“Congratulations.” Her smile is as fake as her boobs.

“We should do lunch. I’d love to pick your brain about the business we’re starting. Does your brother still have his real-estate company?” Brodie carries on with the conversation, totally oblivious to everything happening.

“Yeah.” Her eyes dazzle at the invitation back into his life. Now she has a reason to contact him.

“Great. Call my office this week and we’ll do lunch. I’m eager to start this project.”

“Sounds great.”

They exchange goodbyes and I follow Brodie to the car.

He wants to see her again. If he didn’t he would have asked her to pass along his request.

I feel stupid because today I had let my guard down and thought that maybe we were starting to open up to each other.

“You want to catch a movie or something?”

I get in the car next to him. “Some other time. I’m tired. I think I need to lie down.”

Thoughts of Brodie and her having lunch forces scenarios into my head that have me balling my hands into fists. Like I’ve lost something somehow, but I never really had him to start with.

His hand goes to my knee and gives me a gentle squeeze. “You okay?” His eyes show concern, but I’m pretty sure it’s only because I have his son inside me.

“I’ll be fine. You should probably call your friend and ask her to dinner or something. Get an early start on your project.”

“You think so? You don’t want to come?”

God, he’s clueless. “No. You go. I’ll probably take a bath and sleep all evening.”

I don’t even finish my sentence before he has his phone to his ear inviting her to the restaurant he took me to. In the end, they agree to meet in the bar of her hotel. Perfect. Fitting. They can have drinks before they fuck.

God, I hate myself right now. I’m being irrational, but I can’t stop myself. Maybe it’s jealousy or me being an idiot. Possibly both, but when I get back to the apartment I text Ben and ask him if he wants to meet up.