Lydia gave a polite smile. “Right. Who needs them,” she answered. She could barely read her own inflection. Was that sarcasm? Hesitancy? Hell if she knew her own thoughts anymore. And she suddenly felt exhausted.
“No, I’m serious.” He spun to face her. His gaze flicked down to the child before meeting Lydia’s once more. “The planet is far too populated as it is.”
Lydia swallowed hard, her throat burning. She considered that statement for a moment. She supposed he wasn’t wrong about that.
His eyebrows lifted. “Don’t get me wrong. Kids are cute and fun for like, an hour. But I love my life. I’m fulfilled by my job, my friends, romance… I don’t need a kid to satisfy some weird biological clock.”
Up until an hour ago at the doctor’s office, Lydia had been pretty pleased with her life, too. She didn’t love her new gig freelancing for trashy magazines specifically, but she loved photographing and reporting. She loved her friends and the freedom to date as she pleased. Maybe this would be okay. Lydia’s breath became heavy, and she examined the men in front of her. Both offered her exactly what she needed to hear in a moment that she needed clarity more than anything. Two very different sets of advice… advice they hadn’t even realized they were giving. “Thank you,” she whispered before she could stop herself. There were plenty of men who didn’t want children. She didn’t have to be destitute of love and relationships just because she couldn’t have kids.
He gave her an odd look, confusion marring his handsome features.
“Sorry, Mommy,” the little voice whimpered. “May I please have a blueberry muffin?”
There was a rustle as the woman peeked beyond Lydia at the glass case. At least seven people were ahead of Lydia, and there was only one muffin left. Lydia hoped she was gone before the next tantrum started.
“I swear,” the guy said, “there should be an area where kids are strictly not allowed.”
Lydia felt a small smile flick at the corners of her mouth. “There is. It’s called a bar.”
Ahead of them, she heard the quiet snort of a laugh from the bathroom guy.
The man in front of her grinned, his gaze traveling the length of her body. “I’d drink to that.” He slipped a hand into his front pocket as the line lurched forward. “I’m Jason.”
“Lydia.” Brushing her hand to her clavicle, and rolling her neck to each side, she tried to ignore the noise as the little girl’s whining behind her grew louder once more. To be fair, the line was taking forever.
The line moved again, and they were nearly to the front. From his back pocket, he pulled out a business card and handed it to Lydia. His smile softened, crinkling around striking eyes. “Lydia, I hope I’m not being too forward… but I’d love to take you out to dinner. Call me sometime.”
He didn’t wait for her answer before turning to one of the open baristas. The man from the bathroom finished paying and crossed toward Lydia. His bright blue gaze met hers and for a moment, everything stood still. She swallowed, taking the final opportunity to memorize the way his dark hair curled around his ears; it looked like he had been running his hands through it all day. Angled features and stubble dusted along his chiseled jaw. A grin lifted his face, and those damn dimples flanked another breathtaking smile.
And he was headed directly for her.
He paused at Lydia’s shoulder, so close that she could smell the traces of cedar and smokiness on him—like a campfire. Something heavy buzzed between them as he held her gaze. Warmth seethed through her body and despite this heat, she shivered.
Blinking, he brushed by her, crouching in front of the little girl, holding out the last blueberry muffin. He grinned wider, looking up at her mother. “Here ya go.” He dropped it into her hand with a wink. “Blueberry muffins are my little girl’s favorite, too.”
Lydia’s stomach knotted as smile lines creased his face. Though he looked tired, he also had a peace to him that she didn’t find very often in Manhattan residents. “Be a good girl for your mommy, okay?” He pushed off his knees, standing once more as the mother thanked him.
With a final look at Lydia, he left the coffee shop. Without saying another word to her. Heat and embarrassment rose like high tide from her belly. But for what exactly? She hadn’t done anything wrong. She gulped. Or had she?
Stepping up to the counter, Lydia ordered her tall, sugar-free, soy vanilla latte as memories of her mom and her shitty childhood consumed her thoughts. Looking on the bright side, at least now she wouldn’t end up pregnant with a baby she didn’t want like her own mother had. She couldn’t do that to any child. And maybe she didn’t want one. Maybe that parental gene was absent in her family. And this was nature’s way of taking care of the decision for her.
Lydia sipped her latte, savoring the warm flavor. Its comforting steam billowed around her mouth, and she sighed. This was okay—she was okay. She didn’t know the first thing about kids or babies. And if she changed her mind… well, just like Dr. Seaver said, she had options. In the meantime, she needed to find a way to pay for these medical bills.
Through the window, she watched as the man walked confidently down the street, sipping out of his to-go cup.
She lifted a chin and reached into her purse for the pamphlet, dropping it into the trash along with the referral for a therapist. This was a good thing, Lydia thought as she rested a hand to the door.
“I love you, Mommy.”
Lydia’s belly tightened, and her grip froze on the handle. You can do this, she repeated to herself, grabbing her cell phone and dialing.
“Yes, hi, Mara? This is Lydia Ryder. I would like to formally accept your offer with the City Star. I can start next Monday.”
Also, be sure to check out the Maple Grove Prequel
Meeting You
It’s available for free everywhere e-books are sold.
Other Books by Katana Collins
The Soul Stripper Series:
Soul Stripper
Soul Survivor
Soul Surrender
The Wicked Exposure Series:
Wicked Shots
Wicked Exposure
Wicked Release
The Maple Grove Romance Series:
Meeting You
Capturing You
Healing You
Healing You Page 27