LITMIR.BIZ

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it was.

      Yes. She would talk to him about it after their session was over. Abre a mão—open her hand—as Brazilians liked to say and compromise just a little bit.

      As long as he didn’t go overboard, they should be fine.

      She might not even be pregnant.

      Yes, but shouldn’t she be prepared if the possibility arose?

      “Ready?” she asked him.

      He nodded. “If we’re going to do it, let’s do it.”

      This time, when she swerved, Clay matched her, move for move, step for step. It was the best session they’d had the whole time they’d practiced.

      Fifteen minutes later, Marcos called time and gave her a quick hug, handing her a towel. “Perfeito. I don’t know what that last part was all about, but do not change one thing before next week. I’m counting on both of you to put on a good show. One as good as you just did. Can you do that?”

      Her eyes clipped Clay’s and smiled when he nodded. “Cross your fingers, Marcos. Because that’s as good as it’s going to get.”

      “That’s as good as I need it to be.” He tossed Clay a towel, as well. “I’m going to lock up and make sure everything’s secure before I leave. I’ll see you at our last practice.”

      The second Marcos was out of earshot Clay turned to her. “You’re late, aren’t you?”

      Her eyes widened, although she should have realized he would figure out why she was off her game. “Yes, but only by a day. That could be because my hormones are out of whack.”

      “Possibly.”

      He didn’t look convinced and suddenly Tessa wanted to make sure things were okay between them. She hadn’t done that during their breakup and it was something she’d regretted… not really talking to him about things. Touching his arm, she said, “I’m so sorry for making a mess of this. If I’d just let you use protection—”

      His mouth went up into a half smile. “You’re not the only one to blame. You didn’t expect me to keep you at my house and ply you with wine and kisses.”

      “I don’t remember the wine, but I definitely remember the rest of it.”

      Linking his fingers with hers, he gave her hand a squeeze. “It’ll be okay, Tess. No matter what happens.”

      He truly believed that. That fact filled her with hope. Maybe it would be okay. “Will Molly be upset if I do end up being pregnant?”

      “I think she’ll be thrilled. Especially if you give us a chance to be involved in the baby’s life.”

      She glanced back to make sure Marcos wasn’t coming and nodded toward the front door. She wanted to drop a bombshell and see what happened. Open your hand, Tessa, abre a mão.

      Once they were outside, she turned to him. “You talked about wanting to help.” She licked her lips. “If it comes down to it, I think I’m going to need it. I can’t expect my dad to shoulder everything on his own.”

      “Of course. I already said I’d—”

      “I don’t want money. I’d just like the baby to have a support system. And to know his or her sister.”

      He touched her face. “You won’t regret it, honey. I promise.”

      Leaning into his touch, she tried to make herself believe that it was all going to be okay, just as he’d said. Because she’d made her decision, even if she hadn’t voiced it yet. She was keeping the baby, if there was one. She just had to figure out how to have a child and still reach for her own dreams.

      Letting someone help didn’t have to mean being a charity case. She would keep telling herself that. There was a world of difference between bags of used clothes and a new life that needed to be nurtured and loved. This was her way of starting down that road.

      Clay’s thumb curved under her jaw. “Molly’s with me tonight, or I’d ask you to come home with me.”

      “It’s okay.” She thought for a minute or two. “How would you feel about the three of us doing something together?”

      “You, me and Molly?”

      Tessa nodded.

      “I think Molly would be thrilled. Are you sure?”

      “Yes. A close friend just left for a medical mission, and I’m feeling a little lost these days. Although I think she’s the one who changed the labels on those collection jars.”

      “I told you you had some loyal fans. Okay, let me call Mom and let her know we’re on our way.”

      Tessa hesitated. “Will this make things awkward with your mother?”

      “She loves you, Tessa. Nothing will ever change that.”

      Warmth bloomed inside her that spread to every square inch of her being. “I was pretty awful when we broke up.”

      He shrugged. “I never told her most of what happened. Just that we decided it wasn’t right. And if things change, she’ll be over the moon.”

      “You’re a good man, Clayton Matthews.”

      “Maybe not so good, because right now I’m wishing that Molly was spending the night with my mom.”

      She wrapped her hand around his upper arm as they crossed the street and made their way down the sidewalk. Traffic rushed by at a frenetic pace, a harsh reminder of what they shouldn’t do. “Let’s not be in a hurry, Clay. We’ll just take everything slow and see what happens.”

      “I’m up for that.” He dropped a kiss on top of her head.

      Maybe time had dulled the pain of the past. She didn’t want to get her hopes up or think that they could go back to what they’d been before. But maybe they could forge something… friendship, or even a little more out of the ashes of the past.

      She’d never really gotten over him, she could admit that to herself now. It still didn’t mean they should go back in time or start dating again.

       Dating?

      Hadn’t they already gone light years beyond that? They’d made love more than once at his house and again at the hospital. There was evidently something still sizzling on the burner between them. And maybe those sparks had created a tiny new human. She didn’t know yet. But within the next couple of weeks Tessa was sure they’d have their answer. Whether they were ready or not.

      “Me next!” Molly watched Tessa go down the plastic slide at Family World and clapped her hands in glee.

      Clay wouldn’t have believed Tessa had this in her, but the kids’ outdoor park and eatery had been her suggestion. And she’d claimed it had been one of her favorite places to go as a child. Bright stadium lights illuminated the place as if it were still daytime.

      Molly seemed to like it, that was for sure. She’d barely let go of Tessa’s hand long enough to try any of the rides herself, so Tessa had been forced to go with her on most of them. Which was fine by Clay. Something about seeing the pair of them together gave him a taste of what it would be like to see her with their child—and created a funny little ache in his chest that was getting harder and harder to ignore.

      It was strange how he’d gone from “if” there was a child to hoping there was one. Tessa would be nothing like Lizza. She put her heart and soul into people… not into things. It was probably one of the reasons she’d wanted to become a doctor so very badly.

      And the fact that he hadn’t needed to finagle his schedule around to be with her only added to the enjoyment of spending time together. It seemed as if they were on the verge of the breakthrough that had eluded them during their years together.

      But he would take it slow, just as she’d

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