Chapter 24
~Daniel~
J looks up from the designs for the expansion of Em’s home that he’s been studying at my kitchen table. He raises his eyebrows with suspicion.
“What?” I ask, leaning against one of the chairs.
I called J here to take a look at the designs that Em and I worked out for expanding her house, so that it’s livable for both of us and the baby. Right now, it’s definitely the home of a single person. It doesn’t have much give in that respect. Sure, we could have bought a brand new house instead, but I know Em. I know she’s comfortable there. It’s her sanctuary and I don’t want to take that away from her.
“A lot of these have your influence all over them. Is there something you’ve neglected to tell me, Dan? Like, for instance, the fact that you’re clearly moving in with her?”
“We were waiting to tell people, but, yes, I am. You’re the only person who knows.”
He leans back in his chair and folds his arms across his chest. “And?”
Shit. He knows me too well. Em and I had agreed not to tell anyone about the pregnancy until she was at twelve weeks. We didn’t want to jinx it. She’s actually at thirteen weeks now, but I just hadn’t gotten around to telling J. He’d been busy with Harlson Construction and I’d been busy with work and Em. When I’d called him here today to ask him to look over the designs and offer him this project, I’d intended to tell him. But now I’m a little worried that he’s going to be pissed that I didn’t tell him sooner. Well, shit, it’s too late for that now. He’ll just have to suck it up.
“You love her and the two of you have been inseparable lately. I figured you’d move in together eventually, but this fast?”
“She’s pregnant,” I tell him, bracing myself for his reaction.
His eyes bulge in shock and then he chokes out a laugh. “You’re kidding?”
“Nope. She’s pregnant. Thirteen weeks along. We agreed to wait a while before we told anyone, so we didn’t jinx it and shit.”
He nods. “I get that. Wow, pregnant. I can’t believe it. Wait, thirteen weeks? Isn’t that—?”
“That infamous day when we fucked bareback? Yeah.”
“So much for that goddamn pill then.”
I shrug my shoulders. “Those things aren’t guarantees, J.”
“You must have some crazy-ass strong swimmers then.”
I roll my eyes. “Let’s not talk about my sperm, all right?”
He laughs. “No arguments there. So…you must be ecstatic. You’ve wanted a kid for a while now.”
I can feel myself grinning like an idiot. “I am.”
He gets up from the table and slaps my shoulder. “I’m glad, Dan. I’m happy things are finally working out for you the way they should.”
“Thanks, man.”
His eyes dart around the kitchen. “Shit, I thought I saw this place up for sale, but I figured I was imagining it, that you would never give this up.”
“There’s not much to give up. It’s always just been a place to crash. It’s too sterile to really be a home, you know? Not for Em and the baby.”
“I’ll take it.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I’ll take it. Unlike you, I’m still living it up with the bachelor lifestyle. This would be perfect. It’s better than my condo located at the edge of town and it’s way closer to work. You know I’ve always had my eye on this place.”
“You’re just obsessed with the sunken pool on the balcony.”
“You bet your ass I am. It’s a major chick magnet.”
“Chick magnet?” I laugh. “I don’t think anyone uses that phrase anymore. You’re showing your age, old man.”
“Fuck you,” he says, laughing. “I’m serious, Dan. I want it.”
“All right, I’ll set up an appointment to discuss the details with my Realtor.”
“Awesome.” He eyes the blueprints. “So, I can take on this job. We just finished up the new bed and breakfast, so our schedule’s pretty much open right now. You can’t get the permit yourself for a personal request. You’ll have to go through—”
“My dad? Yeah, I know.”
“This means your mom finding out about everything. You ready for that?”
“She’ll keep her distance.”
J scoffs. “You know no one orders her around. That woman does whatever the hell she wants.”
“Not if she wants to see her grandchild.”
J smiles with realization. “Right, you have leverage now. It’s harsh, but necessary.”
“Sadly, yes.”
“Isabella wasn’t her fault, you know?”
My eyes narrow. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “You’re defending her?”
“I just want you guys to make peace. It’s been three years.”
“She brought that bitch into my life, J.”
“Right, she did. And that was the extent of her involvement.”
“J—”
“You say you’re over it now and I see you moving on, but you’re not quite there. When you can bring yourself to forgive Alexis, then you’ll really be over it.”
Before I can say another word, he gathers up the drawings and says, “I’ll work on these. You work on getting me that building permit.”
With that, he walks out of the kitchen, leaving me to stare after him and think about what he’s just said. Fuck! The bastard is always right. Damn him!