Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71303 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71303 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“I did?” My first instinct is to keep these kinds of thoughts to myself, but considering how confusing the entire shopping encounter was, I’m tempted to see if Ana will be able to make sense of it.
I tear off a piece of chocolate croissant and toy with it as I launch into the story, from the ancient Roman factoid, to the juggling, all the way up to the woman asking to take a picture with the two men in the parking lot.
“But you don’t know who they were?” Ana looks puzzled.
“Not a clue. We didn’t even introduce ourselves. The second guy mentioned that the juggler’s name was Cam, but that’s all I know.”
“Why didn’t you give him your number when he asked?”
After a sip from my drink, I say, “I don’t really date. It’s not easy as a mom.”
“Why? You have a built-in babysitter, not to mention me on call, and Derek and Jansen. Jessie loves them.”
“I would never ask my bosses to babysit.”
“They love Jessie as much as she loves them. We’d be happy to come over and watch her anytime.”
“Well, that’s very nice of you.”
Ana finishes the last bite of her blueberry muffin. “How long has it been since you’ve been out with someone?”
“I don’t know. I went out a couple of times when Jessie was little, but it wasn’t worth the trouble.”
Ana looks like she’s doing calculations in her head as she gets up from the table to help herself to a glass of water. “So, Jessie is six. Does that mean you haven’t had sex in like, three years?” My friend sounds horrified at the notion, and I can’t help but laugh before I give her the real number.
CHAPTER 6
STELLA
“I haven’t had sex since Jessie was conceived.”
She clutches the edge of the counter. “What? You should’ve told me to sit down before springing something like that on me! Seven years! Are you kidding me?”
“I’ve been a little busy, Ana, and it’s not like I’ve had men lining up for it.”
She slides back into her chair. “You had two of them at the store this morning who wanted to get in line.”
“Only one of them asked for my number, and trust me, they weren’t the right type of guys.”
Her perfectly-manicured brows lift. “No? Something wrong with gorgeous and sexy?”
“Need I remind you of their cart full of marshmallows? They were like boys. I already have one child; I don’t need another. When I date, I’m going to be looking for a serious man. Someone who’s mature enough to be a good father figure for Jessie.”
Ana takes a long drink of water and appears to mull this over. “Considering you haven’t been with a man for the better part of a decade, don’t you think you ought to go out and get your wet on, and then get it filled real good before you think about finding someone to settle down with? My god, I think you qualify for virgin status again!”
Get my wet on and get it filled? Why did I enter into a conversation with Ana about dating? Before she even said a word, I could have predicted that her advice would be to go out and have sex. She makes it sound so easy, but sex is complicated.
I know better than anyone that a simple night of pleasure can change your life, and I’m not talking about the flowery happily-ever-afters that neatly wrap up all the smutty romance books that Ana reads. Sex can have lifelong consequences, and even if you don’t unintentionally end up pregnant like I did, there are also complications of the heart. I don’t think I’m the type of person who can have sex with someone without having my feelings get involved.
What’s important right now is getting my life on track with my new job and our new home. Making sure Jessie’s environment is stable and safe will always be my top priority.
On top of all that, I haven’t had the best luck picking men. Jessie’s dad let me down in spectacular fashion, and the couple of men I went out with after that turned out to only want sex, even though I was determined to learn from my mistakes and take things slow.
“I don’t think virgin status works that way, Ana, and anyway, I’m just not interested right now. Maybe when we’re more settled here.”
“Or maybe, love will find you when you’re least expecting it.”
“Oh, now you’re talking about love? I thought this was about sex.”
Ana’s smile is knowing. “Sometimes, when we’re really lucky, the two things coincide. That’s when it’s the best. You should open yourself up to that possibility.”
As I’m considering her words, my phone buzzes with an incoming text, and I catch sight of my manager’s name on the screen.
“I’d better get back to work,” I tell Ana. “Let’s get together again soon. Jessie would love to see you.”