Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
When I didn’t respond, Billie squinted. “You doing okay, Owen?”
“My head’s pretty screwed up, to be honest.”
She nodded and gestured toward the front door. “You want to take a walk and grab some coffee?”
“Sure. If you have time.”
“I do. Just give me a second. Justine’s in the back taking a quick ink inventory. I need to tell her I’m going out for a bit.”
She disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a fringed purse slung across one shoulder. I opened the front door for her.
“Are you in a rush?” she asked. “There’s a new café a few blocks over that has a sign for pistachio coffee. I’ve been dying to try it.”
“Sounds good. Lead the way.”
Billie and I made small talk while we walked. At the café, we argued over who was going to pay for the coffees, and I forced my card on the cashier. Then we strolled to the small park across the street and sat down on a bench.
“So talk to me.” She peeled back the plastic tab on the top of her coffee. “What’s got you freaked out?”
I smiled. “And here I thought I was playing it so cool.”
“Is it because Vera is back? You’re worried Devyn is going to go back to California?”
“Of course that’s a worry, but oddly, I think we could figure out the long-distance thing if we had to. I’d be willing to try anyway.”
“Wow. Okay. Then what’s bothering you?”
I raked a hand through my hair. “I found out last night that there’s a simple test for paternity, and we can find out in just a few days.”
Billie smiled sadly. “I actually knew that. I’m the one who told Devyn about the test. Isn’t that a good thing, though? You’ll know definitively if you’re going to be a dad or not.”
My chest felt heavy. “But what happens if it’s not me? Do I bow out and let them try to be a family?”
“Oh gosh. Is that what has you freaked out? Owen, a family isn’t the sperm and egg donor and the kid they produce. What makes a family is love and commitment, showing up every day when someone needs you. Do you think I’m not Saylor’s mother because we don’t share blood?”
I shook my head. “I don’t even remember the days before you came into Colby and Saylor’s life. You’re the best thing to happen to both of them.”
“And they’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Anyone can be a mother, but it’s something special when a child chooses to accept you as their parent, and you choose to accept them as your child.”
I nodded. “I get that. And what you and Saylor have is amazing. I guess my issue is less about the baby and where I would fit in, and more that I’m terrified Devyn still has feelings for Robert. What if he’s the father and she wants to give things another shot with him?”
“Well, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I guess that’s a realistic concern.”
I frowned. “Thanks.”
“But what are you doing about it?”
“What do you mean? What can I do about it? I can’t make her not have feelings for some guy.”
“No, but she obviously has feelings for you, too. Fight for what you want.”
“How do I do that?”
“Put your heart out there. You’ve been really supportive, going with her places, helping out with the kids—your actions show you’re committed. But a woman also likes to hear it. Have you told Devyn you’re in love with her and you want to be with her no matter the outcome of the paternity test?”
My heart started to race. “No.”
Billie shrugged. “I’m no love expert, but maybe you should start there. The worst thing that could happen is you go for it and it doesn’t work out. But I have to imagine that’s a heck of a lot easier to move on from than not going for it and always wondering if things might’ve turned out differently if you had.”
She had a point. I’d kick myself in the ass for a long time if I didn’t give it all I had. I took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re a wise woman, Billie. Even if you did pick my dumbass friend Colby.”
She grinned. “Damn straight I am. Now get off your ass and go get your girl.”
***
I wiped my palms on my jeans for the third time in ten minutes and reached for the door handle. Not to sound like a total cheeseball, but the sight of Devyn standing on the other side of the threshold took my breath away.
“Hey.” She smiled. “I can only stay about fifteen minutes. Heath gets off of work at the pizza place at eight, and I’m going to walk over and pick him up. I think he said about ten words when he saw Vera after school, so I thought maybe he’d want to vent in private.”