“Can I tell you something?” she asked.
“You know you can tell me anything.”
“Back when I first found out I was pregnant with Kian, there was a moment where I wondered if maybe something would develop between me and Vic,” she said. That had been sitting inside her for so long. She hadn’t shared that with anyone. Maybe it had been the hormones or something. But a tiny glimmer of hope had planted inside her chest that maybe more would develop between them. They were certainly good in the bed together. They got along well when she was working on his office.
Addison’s expression softened, but she remained quiet.
“It passed. Life got busy. We have made this work out, but in the back of mind, I still wonder ‘what if’…”
“Even now? Are you hoping that baby number two will give you two a second chance, so to speak?”
Tachina froze. Her breath stalled. Did she truly want something with Vic?
Addison must have sensed her hesitation. “It’s okay if the answer is yes.”
“I honestly don’t know what I’m feeling for him,” Tachina whispered.
“You do know asking for a baby with a man you might have feelings for is definitely normal,” Addison said with a straight face.
“Addison!”
“I’m just saying.” She waved her chopsticks in the air. “This situation is ripe for a disaster.”
Tachina was thankful that her friend was not only on her side and rooting for her, but also helping to keep her grounded with a reality check.
Her phone buzzed on the table. She grabbed it, expecting a work email or a text from one of her assistants.
But it was Vic.
Her heart immediately raced. She set her food down on the table. She was too nervous to hold that and her phone in her hands.
“Who is it?” Addison closed her food container and set it down on the table next to Tachina’s.
“It’s Vic.”
Addison nearly climbed over the couch’s arm to peer over her shoulder. “What did he say? Open the text! Now!”
“Wait a minute, woman.” Tachina swatted her away. “Can I get some privacy here?”
“Absolutely not. We are bonded. I watched a baby come out of your cooch! And since you have asked him for another one, I deserve to witness this!”
Tachina rolled her eyes and inhaled as she attempted to open the text. It took two tries with the way her hands trembled. Addison slid down onto the sofa next to her and peered at her phone’s screen.
I’ll pick up Kian from school tomorrow and bring him home. Can we talk then?
She bit her lip. What did that mean?
“That’s definitely a ‘I’ve thought about it and I’m going to give you my answer’ text,” she said.
“Addison.” Tachina moved to stand, but Addison gripped her arm and made her sit back down.
“You are not going to try to run off and spiral alone. I’m here for you. Between now and tomorrow, you are going to remain calm. You are going to get a good night’s rest when you get home. No late-night stress baking like I know you do when something has you in a tizzy.”
Tachina fell back against the cushions. She dropped her phone in her lap and covered her face with her hands.
“What if he says no?” she groaned.
“Then we regroup. We drink lots of wine. Maybe cursehis name a few times. Not too much because we still like him.”