Page 5 of Forever, Never, Always (Forever #2)

“I was panicking, if I’m honest,” she says. “I was getting to thirty and there was no sign of Mr. Right, so I thought, fuck it, why am I waiting. I knew I wanted children, so I paid privately and started a family myself.”

“Wow. That’s brave.”

“Or stupid,” she says with a laugh. “It was harder than I thought, but I was so set on proving I could do it, I forgot to ask for help. My parents were horrified and didn’t speak to me for the entire pregnancy.

They’ve only just started to come around to the idea.

Honestly, I think it would have been easier to say his father just didn’t want to know. ”

“Are your parents old fashioned?”

She nods. “They just want the best for me, but I think I shattered their image of a big white wedding and three kids.”

“I know the feeling. I love my parents, they’re amazing, but they don’t hide the fact they want more grandchildren.”

Her smile fades a little. “Do you want children?”

I nod. “Yeah. A few.”

“Does Zoe know?”

“We haven’t talked about it, but I think it’s pretty obvious I want them. And before you say it, I know she doesn’t.” I laugh, shrugging. “But if we work out, maybe she’ll change her mind.”

Sofia picks at the chicken, offering some more to Harry. “You two are serious then?”

I think over her words. “I don’t think we intended to be. It wasn’t the most conventional start to a relationship, but it’s going in the right direction.”

“Um, I heard about that. Isn’t it weird?”

“A little, but Jimmy doesn’t care, and he doesn’t make it awkward.

” We never set out to have a threesome, and it’s not something Jimmy and I have done since we were in college.

But we were all drunk at a New Year’s Eve party and somehow ended up in bed.

I’d called Zoe after to check on her, and we met for drinks. From then on, we never looked back.

“I couldn’t look him in the face again,” she admits.

“Yeah, I guess it was weird at the first family event.”

“How did you . . .” She trails off, her cheeks red with embarrassment. “Yah know, how did it come about?”

I laugh, and she blushes deeper. “We were drunk. Admittedly, it was a mistake that I’d never repeat, but I wasn’t thinking straight.”

“I’ve never done anything like that.” She covers her face, giggling, and I love the sound. “Oh god, why are we talking about this?”

“A threesome?” I ask, glancing at Harry, who is happily chomping on his fingers.

“I’m not very experienced.” She takes a drink. “Ignore me. I don’t know what’s come over me. And why am I saying these things to you?” She laughs harder. “I think this glass of wine’s gone to my head.”

“What about relationships?” I ask.

“They never work out for me. I’ve never had a long-term. The longest was a month.”

“A month?”

“I know . . . I don’t know why I turn men off.”

“I’m sure you don’t. Maybe it’s the type of men you’re going for?”

“Probably. They always turn out to be idiots. Zoe is always trying to sign me up to dating sites.”

“And you’re not keen?”

“I just don’t have the time right now. What about you? Have you had many relationships?”

I shake my head. “Not really. A few that lasted months. I feel like I want to settle down now, though. All my brothers seem to be, except Jimmy. I’m ready.”

She smiles again. “Maybe I’ll date Jimmy. That would be weird, wouldn’t it? Meg and Hugo, you and Zoe, and me and Jimmy.”

I give a half-laugh, her words bothering me more than I care to admit. “Don’t tell Zoe that, she’ll set you up,” I say, meaning it as a warning.

Zoe

I sit on the doorstep, checking my watch. I arranged to be here for six, and it’s now six-thirty and there’s no sign of Ric.

When his car finally pulls up ten minutes later, I stand, arching a brow as Sofia climbs out. “You okay?” I ask, rushing over, wondering if there was some kind of emergency with Harry.

Ric gets out, wincing. “Crap, sorry, I forgot,” he tells me before opening the back door and getting Harry out. He hands him to Sofia. “We went for dinner,” he adds.

“Dinner?” I repeat.

“Is that weird?” asks Sofia, looking worried.

“Of course not,” I say, shaking my head a little too fast. “You’re neighbours.” I frown, “Although I never go out with my neighbours.”

“Oh god, you think it’s weird,” Sofia cries.

I feel guilty and take her hand. She’s had a hard time of it, and Ric is just nice. “Of course, it’s not. Don’t be silly. You’re my best friend.”

“I’ll leave you two to it,” she says, kissing my cheek. “Thanks, Ric.” And she heads inside.

I follow Ric into his house, unsure if I’m annoyed or not. He goes through to the kitchen. “Wine?”

“No,” I utter. I can’t drink while on the pain medication.

“Are you pissed I’m late?” I shake my head. “Are you annoyed I took Sofia out for dinner?”

“Not annoyed,” I say, shrugging, and he turns to me.

“I feel bad for her, Zoe. She was in the garden, we got chatting, and it slipped out. If it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t offer again.”

I feel like a bitch, so I shake my head, pushing up on my tiptoes and placing a kiss on his cheek. “No, it’s fine. You’re sweet to offer.”

“You didn’t tell me she had Harry through artificial insemination,” he says, grabbing the kettle and filling it with water.

“It’s not something that came up,” I reply.

“Weird, though, isn’t it?”

I shrug. “She was ready and there was no man in her life. I get why she did it. And these days, women are so independent, it’s becoming the norm.”

He stands before me, running his hands through my hair then resting them loosely either side of my face. “I’m sorry I was late. We got talking and time ran away.”

I smile. “It’s fine. Honestly. Thank you for being so kind to her.”

The next morning, I arrive ten minutes late for breakfast with the girls. Sofia and Meg are already deep in conversation as I shrug from my jacket and sit down. “I ordered for you,” Meg says, nodding at the espresso. I sip it gratefully. “How come you’re late?” she asks.

“Only ten minutes,” I argue.

“You don’t even have kids, Zo, yet you always manage to be late.”

I grin. “Well, Ric insisted on making me breakfast to make up for last night.”

“Last night?” asks Meg, and Sofia winces.

“Yeah, he took Sofia for dinner and forgot he was meeting me,” I say, shrugging.

Meg’s eyes go to Sofia, and I don’t miss the quizzical look which Sofia ignores. “Sorry about that again,” she mutters.

“Relax. That’s what I get for having such a nice boyfriend.”

“Oh, so now you’re labelling it?” asks Meg, laughing. I’m not sure why I’ve been so reluctant so far, but I finally feel ready.

“What do you mean?” Sofia asks, and I glance her way. “About Ric just being nice,” she adds. “Has he said something?”

I frown. “No. I just mean he’s good to take you to dinner, like he knows you’ve been down.”

“Like I’m a charity case?”

I glance to Meg for backup, but she looks just as confused as me. “No, that’s not what I meant.”

“It sounded like you meant Ric’s just being nice because he feels sorry for me.”

I shrug, “I guess . . . I mean, he might . . .”

“That’s not what she means,” Meg cuts in, glaring at me for confirmation.

“Yah know, it wouldn’t hurt to start dating again,” I tell her. It’s not the first time I’ve raised it, but if she had her own boyfriend, perhaps mine wouldn’t feel the need to keep her company.

“Actually, I have a date after work,” Sofia snaps, and I arch my brows in surprise.

“That’s great.”

“Yeah, Sofia, that’s amazing,” Meg agrees. “Who with? Do we know him?”

She shakes her head. “Dexter.”

“Your boss?” I ask, a laugh almost escaping me.

Her cheeks colour slightly. “Yes. And?”

“Well, it’s just you hated him on Monday. You said he was a dick.”

“I can change my mind, can’t I?”

“Of course.”

“He asked me for drinks, and I said yes.”

“Wait, I thought we were meeting tonight?” Meg asks.

“I’ll join you when I’m done,” says Sofia, checking her watch. She pushes to her feet. “I have to get to work. I’ll text you later to see where you are.”