Playing by the Baby Rules. Michelle Celmer

back, stunned. Him getting Marisa pregnant? Lucy thought he would be perfect, but what did Marisa think? What did he think?

      There was one obvious advantage to the situation—sex with Marisa. That alone would be tough to pass up. But he’d decided a long time ago that he would never have a family. He would be a lousy father, and an equally lousy husband. But Marisa wasn’t looking for a family, he reminded himself. She just wanted a baby.

      His baby?

      “I know.” Marisa laughed nervously. “I told Lucy what a stupid idea it is. I mean, you and me having a baby? Yeah, right.”

      “Yeah, right,” he agreed, equal parts disappointment and relief burning through him. Either she didn’t think he was good enough to father her child, or the thought of making love to him was so repulsive she would never consider it.

      No matter the reason, she was probably right. It was a crazy idea.

      “So, you ready to go?” Marisa stood next to the blanket, cooler in hand. The sun burned bright behind her, hiding her face in shadow, but he could tell by her tone that she was anxious to leave. He’d lost his appetite anyway.

      “Yeah, sure.” He pulled his shirt on and balled up the blanket, tucking it under his arm. They were both quiet as they walked back to her shop. When they got there she handed him the cooler.

      “This isn’t going to make things weird, is it?” she asked, concern etched in the corners of her eyes. “You know, the whole baby thing.”

      If he let it, maybe. But he wasn’t going to let himself take it personally. Nor could he blame her for thinking he wouldn’t be the right man to father her child. After all, she knew him better than anyone.

      “Do you know how many women have come up to me after a show and offered to have my children?” He gave her a playful nudge. “I’m used to it.”

      She handed him the cooler. “So, we’re good?”

      “Yeah, we’re good.”

      She reached for the door handle, then stopped, turning back to him. “Because it would be kind of strange. You know, you and me…together.”

      He nodded. “Yep. Pretty strange.”

      “I mean, not bad strange. Just, different. It would change everything.”

      “It certainly would.” Possibly for the better. Or possibly not. It was the not side of that coin that made him uneasy. Without Marisa, he wouldn’t have anyone. He wasn’t prepared to jeopardize their friendship.

      “You’re playing tonight?” Marisa asked.

      “Nine-thirty. If you’re planning on coming, I’ll stop by and walk you down. It’s on my way. We’re trying out some new material tonight.”

      “Okay.”

      “So, that’s a yes?”

      “That’s a yes.” She pulled the door open, letting out a rush of cool dry air, then stopped again, turning back to him. She looked as if she might say something, then she shook her head and disappeared inside.

      The bells over the door jingled softly as it swung shut, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that, despite his assurances otherwise, things had changed anyway.

      Three

      “Risa, Jake’s here,” Lucy called from the front of the store. “Are you ready to go?”

      Wincing as pain clutched low in her belly, Marisa shelved the day’s receipts and stored the cash in the safe. “Go ahead and lock up. I’ll be right out.”

      Jake poked his head around the corner. “Anything I can do?”

      She wiped a trickle of sweat from her brow. “Nope, I’ll be ready in just a second.”

      “Hey, you okay? You look a little pale.”

      She forced a smile. “Feminine stuff. I’ll be fine.”

      He nodded, no more explanation necessary. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d seen her in pain, and probably wouldn’t be the last either. “If you’re not feeling good, you don’t have to come to the bar tonight.”

      “I’ll be okay in a few minutes. Tell Lucy I’ll be right out.”

      She grabbed a bottle of aspirin from the cabinet above the sink in the bathroom and chased three down with water. Clutching the edge of the sink, she sucked in several deep breaths while she waited for the spasms to cease. Every bout of pain lately was a grim reminder she was running out of time. She would only be able to take so much more before she had to give in and have the surgery.

      “Risa,” Lucy popped her head in. “Someone here to see you.”

      “Did you tell them we’re closed?”

      “I tried, but he said it’s personal. Some guy and his daughter.”

      Some guy and his…oh no, it couldn’t be. She closed her eyes, shaking her head. Please, not tonight, she prayed silently.

      She followed Lucy to the front, and of course, it was him. He always managed to show up when she didn’t want to see him. Which, come to think of it, was most of the time. How long had it been anyway? A year? Maybe longer?

      Still tall and handsome, he looked a decade younger than his fifty-two years. The only hint of his true age was the distinguished trace of gray peppering his temples. The woman next to him was poured into a black-and-gold dress and clung to his arm. Maybe she was afraid of busting an ankle on her four-inch spiked heels.

      “Marisa,” he said stiffly, gazing with barely masked distaste around the store.

      She told herself not to let the rejection bother her, but deep down it stung. There was still a remnant of the little girl in her that used to try so hard to please him.

      “Hello, Joseph. Long time no see.”

      “I’d like to introduce you to Julia.”

      “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Marisa. I’ve heard so much about you.”

      I’ll bet you have, Marisa thought, accepting her petite hand. She knew Joseph had always preferred younger women, but this was obscene. She couldn’t have been more than twenty.

      Lucy stood next to her and appeared perplexed. Jake hovered near the counter looking as if he wanted to disappear.

      “Where are my manners,” she said. “Joseph, you remember my friend Jake, and this is Lucy Lopez. We work together. Lucy, this is Joseph Donato, my father.”

      Joseph gave them both a slight nod.

      “So, when’s the big day?” Marisa asked.

      Julia looked up at him, confused. “You told her already?”

      Marisa gestured to Julia’s right hand. “The rock you’re wearing tipped me off. How many does this make, Joseph? Five or six?”

      A nerve twitched in his jaw, and he eyed her sternly. “You know very well that Melinda was my fourth wife, which will make Julia my fifth.”

      She challenged his piercing gaze. “You never know. I thought maybe you slipped one in somewhere without telling me.”

      “Marisa,” Julia said, stepping forward. “Joey and I wanted to invite you to join us for dinner, to celebrate our engagement.”

      “Really?” She could barely hide her surprise. “Whose idea was that?”

      Julia glanced nervously at Joseph. “Um, both of ours.”

      Boy, was she a lousy liar. Marisa knew Joseph wouldn’t have voluntarily asked her to join him for a meal. Still, she had no reason to be rude to Julia. “I’m sorry, I have plans tonight. But thank you for the invitation.”

      “You will come