Page 16 of Accidentally in Love

He kicked my foot. “Dude, you need to tell her how you feel. Asking her to marry you because you don’t know how to express your feelings isn’t the way to go. She’ll think you’re just doing it for the baby. And you’re not, are you?”

I shook my head. “No. Not just because of the baby. Because I love her, and I know I can give her the family she’s always wanted.”

“Then you have to tell her that, asshole! You’re perfect for each other, but you have to actually use your words.”

I put my coffee down on the table and let his words wash over me. I still had a lot of thinking to do about the whole situation. I could give Avery what she wanted, but the way she kicked me out today made it feel like she’d never want that from me. We could be happy together. I just had to figure out how to convince her of that.

“I better go. I have some things to think through before going to the brewery,” I told my brother with an air of finality.

“Nol…” Declan trailed off with a sigh. He took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“I’ll see you later,” I said and stood up.

He didn’t argue or stop me from leaving. I walked out of his apartment and down the steps, walking the short block home in thought. I was still mulling it all over when I stepped into the house.

I went into the office and pulled my mother’s ring from the safe. Instead of a diamond, the center stone was an emerald with two tiny diamonds on each side. I hadn’t given it to Kath when I proposed because she liked flashy things. Mom’s ring hadn’t been meant for Kath, but maybe it could be for Avery. At forty, this might be my last chance to find someone to share my life with. My last chance to become a father and have a family.

I sighed and put the ring back in the safe. If I was going to support my baby mama, I needed to make sure the brewery was producing the best beer we could. I owed that much to Avery and the baby.

Chapter Five

AVERY

“How are you feeling?” my doctor asked as she looked up from my chart.

“Exhausted.”

“That’s normal. Morning sickness?”

I nodded. “Yes. Will it ever stop?”

The Asian woman laughed. “I don’t want to lie to you and say yes, but some women have it the whole time.”

I groaned. “You said I was at high risk. Should I be concerned?”

She looked at my chart. “Because of your age, you’re technically referred to as having a geriatric pregnancy.”

I made a face at that phrase.

She laughed. “It’s just a medical term. You’re healthy, and everything looks good so far. Is the father involved?”

I nodded.

“How’s he feeling?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. He wants to support me, to provide for the baby. We’re not exactly together.”

“Ah.”

I shrugged again.

“Complicated relationship aside, you’re relatively healthy, so I think you’ll be fine. Do you have questions for me?”

I stared at her, bewildered. I had a lot of questions, but I didn’t know which one to ask first. This was my first pregnancy. I never even had a pregnancy scare before. I wasn’t sure what to ask.

“Is sex on the table?” I blurted out. A crimson blush crept up my neck. I didn’t know why that was the first question I asked.

She laughed. “Yes, but be aware of any pain. You can always readjust if something is uncomfortable.”