to spare her best friend pain. I didn’t want to get your hopes up and then have it all fall apart.”
“Okay. Totally understandable. Because my hopes would have gone stratosphere high. And I remember how hard it was to let you go. I still haven’t forgiven you for leaving.”
“You just said you understood.”
“I did and I do. But that’s different from letting you off the hook for abandoning me.”
“Well, I’m back now.”
“Yes, you are and about darn time. But why is that?” Annoyance was gone, replaced by curiosity.
“Because I’m the regional coordinator for Children’s Medical Charities.”
“Uh-huh.”
“It’s a really good job.”
“Totally,” Avery agreed.
“And very important.”
“You’ll get no argument from me.”
“Doesn’t feel that way,” Ryleigh pointed out. “I’m raising money for programs and equipment to help kids.”
“I know what the charity does. You’ll do a fantastic job because you’re motivated. No one loves kids more than you.” Avery finished her pizza, then tapped her lip thoughtfully. “As I recall, you were determined to have a baby before the big 3-0. How’s that going?”
This is where the best-friend bond got awkward. Confessing everything would result in Avery’s honest opinion. And most of the time Ryleigh valued that. Now? Well, no one wanted to be told they were an idiot. Or worse, crazy.
Ryleigh rolled up her empty paper plate. “Oh, you know.”
“If I knew, I wouldn’t have asked. What’s going on? And don’t tell me nothing. This is me and I know better.”
“Power down, O’Neill. You’re right.” She sighed. “I actively looked for a job in Las Vegas after coming to the realization that Nick is the best man I know and I want him to father my baby.”
Avery blinked and stared, speechless for several moments. “The desert heat has cooked your brain cells.”
“It’s October and not hot. I think you just called me crazy.”
“No. I’d never say that. But, Ryleigh—” She shook her head. “What are you thinking?”
“That my biological clock is ticking. I don’t want to take my chances at a sperm bank, and men who are good father material don’t grow on trees. The ones I was meeting just didn’t measure up and I’m not getting any younger.”
“But Nick is your ex.”
“So? That doesn’t mean he isn’t good looking. Or smart. He’s a doctor and treats kids with breathing problems. Doesn’t get any better than that.”
“He is a tough act to follow, I’ll grant you that. But your ex?” Avery said again.
“Not being able to love me isn’t a deal-breaking biological flaw.”
Avery put her empty paper plate on the coffee table and grabbed her wineglass. “Does Nick know any of this?”
“All of it.”
“And after he requested a psych evaluation?”
“Stop calling me crazy.” But Ryleigh understood this was coming from a place of sincerity and caring.
“Did I say the ‘c’ word? It did not come out of my mouth. And don’t keep me in suspense. What was his reaction?”
In for a penny, in for a pound. “He asked me to move in with him. To make the logistics more—logistical. During my fertile time.” When her friend was quiet, she begged, “Say something, Avery.”
“How did you talk him into it? Not the moving-in thing, the fathering thing.”
“I think he feels guilty. For his part of what went wrong in our marriage. But there were also tears involved. I just couldn’t help it when I saw the babies in the nursery. And he happened to be there.”
Ryleigh hadn’t faked the emotion and couldn’t be sorry it helped convince him. But she’d never forget how good his arms had felt around her. The comfort he’d offered without hesitation. She had no illusion that it came from anywhere besides friendship, but that didn’t diminish her appreciation.
Avery nodded thoughtfully, processing everything. There was a gleam in her blue eyes when she asked, “You know that having a baby with Nick will require you to have sex with him?”
“Yes. That’s part of the logistics. So when I’m—you know—he’ll be…you know.”
“Handy?”
“Yeah.”
The expression in her friend’s eyes turned the tiniest bit wicked. “So you haven’t done it yet?”
“No. Not quite the right time in my cycle.”
“And I’m going to be Auntie Avery?”
“With a little luck.”
“And sex.” Her expression turned serious. “This is me and I’m there for you. Whatever you need. Count on it.”
“I have no doubt about that.” Ryleigh knew there was more. “But?”
“I saw what you went through when you and Nick fell apart. I held you when you cried. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help you look at this whole thing from every angle?”
“Just spit it out,” Ryleigh said.
“Okay. I have to ask. Do you really think you can go through with this and come out unscathed?”
“By ‘this,’ I’m assuming you mean sex without complications.” When her friend nodded she said, “Men do it all the time.”
“If God wanted women to be like men, He’d have given us the same equipment. If you have sex with Nick, I’m pretty sure there will be feelings involved. On your part, anyway. I just don’t want you to get hurt again.”
“I won’t.”
“Famous last words.”
“Don’t you see, Avery? From the time I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to be a mother. I want it more than I can put into words and it’s this close.” She held up her thumb and index fingers, a fraction of an inch apart. “Please don’t rain on my parade.”
“That’s the last thing I’d do.” Avery finished the wine in her glass and set it on the table. She slid closer and leaned in for a hug before saying, “I love the idea of you having a baby, getting what you want. And I’m serious about having aunt status. I just want to make
