Page 73

Ana

I sat across from Tyler in our Taco Hut. It was a place that held so many memories. It was where he first asked me out, and it ended up being where we had most of our dates. We’d get the taco platter and split it, then max out our order of dipping sauces. It was a meal we were again eating.

I still couldn’t believe Tyler had wanted me to come out with him. When he had dropped Brody off after being at the hospital, the first question out of his mouth had been whether or not we could sit down together and talk. He had said he wanted to take me out again, which confused me even more.

Why would a man who didn’t want to work on his relationship with me want to take me out to dinner?

Granted, it was Taco Hut. It was nothing more than a kitchen, a small bar that served nothing but margaritas and Corona, and an overhang with some benches. But just like our spot behind the Hollywood sign, it held memories I’d never let go of. Memories that made me smile even to this day.

And I knew they held the same significance to Tyler.

“Your parents watching Brody?” he asked.

“Mm, they are, yes.”

I covered my mouth so he wouldn’t see me chomping on my food while talking.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to catch you mid-bite.”

“It’s fine. You’re good. I promise,” I said.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course you can.”

“What was it like when you first found out you were pregnant?”

My brow ticked up in confusion as I finished off my second taco.

“Um, well, I was scared for one thing. I didn’t really believe the first pregnancy test, so I took another one. And when that one came back positive as well, I knew I had a serious problem.”

“So, all of those headaches and uneaten lunches because you didn’t feel well—?”

“Yeah. All part of it.”

Tyler nodded his head as he picked up another taco.

“Did you experience any—complications?”

“You seem interested in my pregnancy.”

“I am.”

“Can I ask why?”

His eyes connected with mine before he sighed.

“It’s a part of Brody’s existence I didn’t get to experience. And it’s something you went through alone. I guess I just want to make sure you were okay through it.”

I nodded, trying to digest his words as best as I could.

“I mean, I didn’t really experience complications. I think the most nerve-wracking thing was telling my parents.”

“Did you do that alone, too?”

“No. I had told Kristi by that point. She was with me when I broke the news to them.”

“How did that go?”

“Uh, about as well as you could expect?”

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“My dad wasn’t happy. He thought you ran out on me, and I had to tell him you didn’t know. Then it was sort of a chorus coming from all fronts about how I needed to tell you. I guess I should have listened.”

I dropped my gaze to my lap and cleared my throat.

“My pregnancy was fine. I had to go to the hospital once because I passed out, but it wasn’t anything serious.”

“What happened, Ana? Were you okay?”

“I was fine. Brody was fine. Everything was fine. I was just a little anemic throughout my pregnancy. It’s common. Just something they noted on my chart before putting me on an iron supplement. I wasn’t a fan of meat while I was pregnant.”

“Did you have any weird cravings?” he asked.

I giggled. “All the time.”

“What did you want the most?”

“Chocolate milk, from beginning to end. And slushies. I swear, that’s why Brody is such a hound for slushies. I practically drank both things like they were water. Chocolate milk for every meal and slushies whenever else I wanted something to drink.”

“Do you like slushies now?”

“I can’t stand them,” I said, laughing.

I calmed myself down quickly once I noticed Tyler wasn’t laughing with me.

“Sorry,” I said.

“No need. I like watching you laugh.”

“My parents were a big help, but I wouldn’t let them do much. I guess since I felt like I’d gotten myself into that situation, I needed to rely on myself to get out of it. Or at least make the best of it.”

“It seems like you’ve done just that.”

“I like to think I have. I mean, Mom babysat a lot. Though I always made sure to pay her for her time. She watched Brody while I took weekend classes in design and business at the community college up the road.”

“I’m glad they were there for you and Brody.”

“They really were. My father always wanted to interject and help money-wise, but I wouldn’t let him. He bought me that storefront, though. I was so angry with him for doing that.”

“Only you would be angry with someone for buying you your dream building,” he said, grinning.

“I paid him back every cent, plus interest, over the first two years we were in business. I didn’t want anyone else providing things for my son that were my responsibility to provide. I guess it was selfish and prideful in the end, but I felt the mess I had made was mine to shoulder.”