“…So, can we go inside?” I asked.

  Elle shook her head. Like a pin in a balloon, all my confidence vanished. I lost this match. My brain was scrambled, and I struggled to think of what I’ve done wrong. I stuffed my hands in my pockets and looked Elle over. Still leaned against the wall for support her chest rose and fell erratically. Her brown skin was noticeably flushed. Her head dipped, and she wouldn’t meet my gaze.

  “Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong?” I asked, fearful of the answer.

  Elle shook her head again. “No. Tonight has been great. You’re great. I… I guess I’m just not ready for that yet.”

  She placed a hand on her stomach and laughed. “I know it’s kinda late to be self-righteous about it. But we’re not dating, and I don’t want to get messy with the feelings.”

  She was right. We weren’t dating. I don’t date. We were co-parents. Nothing more. I nodded in agreement.

  “I understand.”

  “You do?” She finally looked at me, her face twisted with bewilderment.

  I bend down and picked up the fallen leftovers.

  With a smile, I said, “We’re getting to know each other. Besides, I don’t do the dating thing. I’m shit at it.”

  “I’m sure you’re not that bad.”

  I raised a hand. “Total shit. Trust me, ask my ex-boyfriend.”

  “Ex-boyfriend?”

  “Yeah, former tag team partner. But that’s not the point. The point is, we’re trying to be the best co-parents we can be, so we should focus on that.”

  Elle nodded. I handed over the box of leftovers.

  “Again, thank you for tonight. It was wonderful.” She smiled shyly.

  “Of course. Have a good night and let me know if you need anything.”

  I watched Elle head inside. The door closed behind her with a click. I stood there for a moment, just staring at her front door like a creep before heading back to my car. Once I pulled onto the main road, I let out a breath that burned like flames in my chest. My dick was rock fucking hard, and my head spun. I was glad Elle said something because I had started thinking stupid thoughts about dating and families. That wasn’t what either of us wanted.

  Not at all.

  Elle

  I sighed and put in my earbuds as I waited for my video call to load. To escape my apartment, I retreated to a coffee shop downtown. I had my too small because of pregnancy mocha, and laptop set up in the far corner. It had been a few days since dinner/super stupid sexy hallway kisses, and to Logan’s credit, he didn’t fall off the face of the earth. We texted every day. Neither of us was brave enough to bring up what happened. Which was for the best. I totally didn’t think about it. Nope. Not at all. My computer screen jumped to life and filled with the utterly adorable face of my bestie Dani. She squinted at the screen. Her long black hair was up in a topknot and cherry red lipstick colored her lips.

  “Hiiii!” we both squealed in unison.

  “You are so damn cute! That lipstick is to die for!” I smiled.

  “Thank you! Trying out some new colors.” Dani said as her camera moved through her apartment and out to her balcony. The LA skies were overcast but just enough sunlight poked through to trigger my jealousy.

  “What’s been up with you, girly?” She sat on the porch swing I helped her pick during my last visit.

  “Well, first thing first, I’ve got something to tell you.”

  “Shoot.”

  I took a deep breath, in through the nose and out through the mouth. “…I’m pregnant.”

  “What the fuck did you just say?!” Her eyes widened.

  “I’m pregnant.” I repeated.

  “Oh My God!” she screamed, making me very thankful and regretful that I have earbuds in.

  “Yeah… so that’s what’s up with me.” I shrugged.

  “Hold up!” Dani shouted, her arms flailing overhead. “You didn’t tell me you were dating anyone! How could you keep that from me? I thought we were friends!”

  I shook my head. “I’m not.”

  After much prodding from Dani, I launched into the story of my epic one-night stand. By the end of my sordid tale, I glanced around to make sure no one picked up on the lurid details.

  “Holy fucking shit balls!” Dani muttered as she slumped back in her chair comically.

  “Yeah…” I waved my hand.

  “Logan Smith. Hmmm… You know I’m Googling him, don’t you?”

  I was guilty as hell of already doing that, so I didn’t comment on Dani admitting the same. I bit my lip and watched the expressions on Dani’s face cycle through shock and surprise, to eventually settling on smug approval.

  “Elle! This man is sexy as fuck! Those abs! Jesus! He’s like a nerdy Greek god. I bet he walks around like his shit don’t stink, doesn’t he?”

  “Nah, not Logan. He’s kinda quiet, actually. That bravado is all fake wrestling bullshit.”

  I thought back on the other night and shimmied in my seat. Maybe some of it sprung up in certain situations. But I wasn’t telling Dani that.

  “Tell me to stop scrolling Elle because I can lose lots of time looking at pictures of your baby daddy.”

  I laughed. Dani was kinda snooty about the people she dated. She never found anyone I was interested in to be attractive, so this change of pace was very amusing.

  “I get to be an auntie! I’m gonna be such a kick ass aunt. The aunt who gives your kid too much candy when you don’t want them to have sweets. The aunt who buys condoms for them when they’re a teenager because they’re too scared to ask you. I can’t wait!” Dani enthused.

  “Hopefully, there will be a long way to go in between those two life points.” I laughed.

  “No wonder you’re struggling with the script. You’ve got baby brain.”

  I rolled my eyes. Pregnancy had nothing to do with my ability to write. I let Dani’s comment simmer under the surface, making sure not to let on how pissed off it made me.

  “No, that’s not it.” I sighed. “I don’t think I can do it. I know you’re the producer but you’re my friend too. I feel like I’m in over my head.”

  “You’re underestimating yourself.” Dani sat up. “I wouldn’t have offered you the job if I didn’t think you could do it, friends or not.”

  I shrugged. I wasn’t ready to admit that the art on ‘The Fury and The Flood’ was so off-putting and sexist that it overwhelmed the plot.

  “Let’s try approaching the script from a different angle.” Dani tapped her finger on her chin. “For now, I want you to stay away from the script.”

  I opened my mouth to object and Dani shut me down by shouting, “Shut up!”

  Pouting, I sat back and listened to my friend.

  “Just a bit longer. Things at this point in the process take so long, so we’re on not a deadline yet. I’m gonna reach out to some contacts and see if I can get some things that might help you with the process. In the meantime, write a short story or something different. Let me help you.”

  “Thank you, Dani. You’re a lifesaver.”

  She nodded. “I know. I know. Awesome Auntie to the rescue!”

  “Please don’t tell anybody I’m pregnant. I haven’t met everyone involved in production yet and I don’t want anyone thinking I wouldn’t be able to do the job because of it.”

  “Of course. Of course. Elle, you know your secrets are always safe with me.” Dani zipped her lips.

  Dani and I grinned at each other like the goofy loons we were. I very much wished I was able to give her a hug. Long distance friendships sucked. For the rest of our chat, I struggled to keep my tears at bay. When we hung up, I silently sobbed into my lukewarm coffee. I drank my tearful drink and tried to think of something new to work on. Inspiration wouldn’t strike. Defeated, I packed up my computer and head home.

  I picked myself up by belting along to Maroon 5 songs. I smacked the steering wheel off beat and shook my ass as I sang at the top of my lungs to the song ‘Moves Like Jagger’. I was so absorbed in my personal concert it took a long moment for me to react to my surroundings. My eyes went wide as I pulled into my apartment complex. The air was gray with smoke and the parking lot was full of firetrucks. Chest tight, I turned off my radio as if that would make what was happening clearer. Thankfully, I remembered to put my car in park before jumping out. The third floor of my building was engulfed in flames.

  WHAT THE FUCK!

  Standing there, I started to feel lightheaded. I couldn’t tell if it was the smokey air, my life possessions going up in flames, or my pregnancy. I stumbled back and leaned against my trunk for support. The whirlwind of people, noise, lights, and sounds around me was intimidating. I fought sensory overload, and I said a silent prayer that no one was hurt or trapped inside.

  I pulled myself up to sit on the trunk of my car and watched as firefighters attempted and failed to save the building. I felt aimless at the out-of-body experience of watching a fire consume the place I and other families, couples, and college students called home. The firefighters gave it their best effort, but the building was a loss. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but things would have been different if the fire had started at night.

  Brain frozen in a sleepy haze, I pulled my blanket over head. Despite the best efforts of the comforter, the buzzing, knocking, stomping, and drilling continued. With a groan, I sat up as best I could on the lumpy air mattress. I reached over and grabbed my phone off the charger to check the time. I groaned again, 7:13 AM. My aunts were still in the middle of renovations, and despite me wishing otherwise, that wasn’t gonna stop now that I was occupying their living room. Renee probably had on a hard hat directing workers herself. I ran my hands down my face before tumbling off the mattress onto the floor. Shoulders down, and ass up, I stayed in that pose for a moment before standing up. I froze at the husky construction worker in the doorway. He just stood there, hands in his pockets, staring at me.

  “Morning,” He mumbled.

  “…Morning?”

  With that he turned and headed out the front door. I blinked back surprise before shuffling off to the bathroom for that satisfying relief otherwise known as the early morning pregnancy pee. Bladder relieved I headed into the under-construction kitchen for my very much needed, too small cup of coffee. I got my love of French vanilla creamer from Trisha, so thankfully she always had some on hand. Liquid creamer, none of that terrible powder crap. Healthy amount of creamer, and two teaspoons of sugar, made a perfect cup of coffee to me. Leaning against the counter, I closed my eyes as the warm, sweet nectar passed my lips. I had no idea how anyone could hate coffee. I’d be first in line for a coffee IV drip. Besides the vomiting, the major downside of pregnancy was the caffeine limit.

  Mug of coffee in hand, I headed back to the living room. I flopped down on the couch and sighed at the sight of my backpack. Thanks to my change of scenery trip to the coffee shop, I had my laptop with me when the fire started. My writing was safe. Maybe now I’d get better at saving things to the cloud. I took another sip of coffee and placed my mug on the side table before grabbing my laptop. I had nothing else to do, and none of the comforts of home. Logically, I decided to use my time to write. Optimism, that bitch of a friend. The damn flashing cursor on the blank document mocked me as I sat there having no ideas. The nonstop construction sounds made everything worse. Time ticked by until a couple hours had passed, and I was on the verge of tears. I pushed my laptop aside and hugged my knees to my chest.

  Crying is silly.

  My chastisement didn’t land as tears started to fall. I was alive. No one was hurt. Belongings could be re-bought.

  Crying is silly.

  But tears kept coming. For a few minutes, I indulged my sadness. I let the tears flow and slowly, the knot in my chest loosened. My phone vibrated, interrupting my crying. With a sniffle, I wiped at my damp face before peeking at the screen. It was a good morning text from Logan. The message from him fired up the synapses in my brain. That sudden self-awareness paired well with the realization that the house was full of construction workers who more than likely heard my sloppy crying session. Deeply embarrassed, I climbed off the couch and grabbed my clothes off the neatly folded pile next to the air mattress. In the small downstairs half bath, I got dressed, picked at my hair, and did my best to make myself presentable. Somewhat put together, I stuffed my laptop into my backpack, grabbed my phone, and bolted out the door.

  My aunts’ house was not a good environment for writing or sleep. But a gaming bar around noon on a weekday? Perfect. Utterly perfect.

  I resisted the urge to pat myself on the back. I hummed along to Billy Idol as I drove to Save Point. ‘Rebel Yell’ ended just as I pulled into the empty parking lot. I peeked in the window; selfishly thankful it was empty. Inside, the nonstop noise of from the game consoles seemed quieter. Behind the bar, two guys sporting matching ponytails laughed at each other. If not for a couple inches of height difference, the pair could have been twins. I walked up the bar, and after an agonizing moment where my balance was momentarily called into question, I sat my butt securely on a barstool, and pulled my laptop out of my backpack. I was typing in my password when one of the ponytail guys walked over to me.

  “Welcome to Save Point. What can I get you?” He smiled.

  “I was wondering, is Logan working today?” I asked.

  “Where is Logan?” Ponytail guy #1 shouted over his shoulder.

  Ponytail guy #2 shrugged, “I think he’s in the back.”

  “He should be back soon. Can I get you anything?”

  “Um… Could you make me a mock tail?”

  “A mock tail?”

  “Yeah.” I nodded, “Pregnant can’t drink.”

  Ponytail guy #1’s eyes went wide. For a very long and awkward moment, he just stared at me.

  “…And an order of French fries…” I added quietly.

  Ponytail guy #1 nodded and shuffled over to ponytail guy #2. I watched out of the corner of my eye as the two whispered to each other frantically. I couldn’t help wondering if the freak out was because Logan had told them about me. I didn’t have to wonder long because the side door opened, and Logan stepped out. Our eyes met and Logan’s face perked up at the sight of me. Suddenly there was light. There was sunshine in my darkness. That sexy smile on his lips pushed away some of the surrounding badness. Sheepishly, I gave him a small wave. The ponytailed pair squeezed each other as they watched Logan cross the room and sit beside me.

  “Hi.” He murmured quietly.

  “Hi.” I mirrored his murmurer.

  One or both of the ponytailed pair squealed. I bit my lip to repress a laugh, and Logan rolled his eyes.

  “Ignore them, I do. They’re idiots. What’s up? Is something wrong?” He asked.

  I shook my head, “No. Can’t I come hang out at the cool bar that the father of my child owns?”

  “I guess you can. Are you and Blobby hungry? Can I get you anything?”

  “I did order some fries, but more interesting things have taken priority…” I tilted my head towards the ponytailed pair, who watched Logan and me with rapt attention.

  “Guys! Do I have to do everything around here?! The woman carrying my child in her womb has requested fries! MOVE YOUR ASSES!” Logan shouted.

  The two scrambled off in different directions like cartoon characters.

  “I was really hoping to get some work done. It’s too damn loud at my aunts’ house to focus. I don’t remember if I told you they’re remodeling.”

  “I think I remember you saying something about that… But can’t you work at home?”

  I shook my head, “Nah. My apartment burned down yesterday. Crashing in their living room at the moment.”

  Logan’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “What?!”

  I waved dismissively. “No one was hurt, and I’ve got insurance. No big deal. It’s kinda like I’m a teenager again, y’know? Just without the privacy of a closed bedroom door.”

  “What the hell Elle? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “There was no reason to. I’m fine. Everything’s fine!”

  Logan placed a hand on my shoulder. The pressure of his touch made me hyper aware of the tightness in my body. I swallowed hard and dropped my head.

  “Talk to me? What’s going on?” Logan asked softly.

  I closed my eyes, but that didn’t help. Tears slid down my face, making the presence of my sadness known.

  “…My day was going good. I had a wonderful talk with Dani. She helped take some of the pressure off me dealing with the script. But like always, I get ahead on one thing just to get pulled behind by something else. I get home and the place is on fire. All I can fucking do it sit there and watch my life go up in flames. They couldn’t save the building. Trish and Renee don’t mind me staying with them, but I hate the stupid air mattress they have me sleeping on, and their house is a fucking construction zone. It’s just fucking uncomfortable.” Everything spilled out in a breathless sob filled rant.

  I peeked through my tears to Ponytail guy #1, setting a large glass of Sprite and a stack of napkins on the bar in front of me. I mumbled a quick thanks before grabbing a napkin and cleaning my face. Embarrassment tore through my body. Almost as if in tune with me, Logan squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.

  “Matt, box up those fries, and Nick, can you put that drink in a to go cup?” Logan ordered.

  I looked up at Logan, confusion etched into the tired lines of my face.

  “You’re the mother of my child, Elle. I’m not having you sleeping on an air mattress. Come on, you’re gonna stay with me.”