“Five weeks? How can that be? I’ve known her for less than three weeks.”
“It’s complicated,” Aiden says. “But basically the two weeks of a woman’s cycle before she gets pregnant count in how far along she is. They go by the first day of her last period rather than the conception date like you would assume.”
“The timing works, Riley. She would have just missed her period, done the test, had it turn positive, and here you are.”
“Now I feel bad for not believing her,” I say, sliding further down in my chair.
Marvel comes outside, interrupting us again. “Dinner is served in the dining room.”
“Would it be too much trouble for us to eat out here tonight?” Keatyn asks him sweetly. “It’s such a beautiful evening.”
“But of course,” he says.
As soon as the door shuts, Aiden pours each of us more scotch. “Riley, how many people did you sleep with last month?”
“Uh.”
“Exactly. She could have, too.”
“Yeah, I guess, but she said she hasn’t. She says she’s in love with me.”
“You’re a big target, Riley,” Keatyn says. “If she doesn’t know who the father is, she might go with the one who could provide the most.”
“That’s why you have to do a paternity test,” Aiden says. “Have to.”
I sigh for about the hundredth time since I learned about the pregnancy. “Ariela and I were talking about kids on the phone tonight. I always thought maybe—”
“You would have kids with her?” Keatyn asks, finishing my sentence.
“Yeah.”
“So, you already know that you want a relationship with her? I thought you were deciding at the wedding.”
“Yeah. I mean, we’re supposed to talk this week. Obviously, she needs to get a divorce. But, yes, I think I do want to be with her. I can’t believe that she finally comes back into my life and this happens. I don’t want a pregnancy to screw things up for us. But, if the baby is mine, I’ll want to be with it, not just see it on weekends.”
“Then you get custody, or at least joint custody,” Aiden states. “You don’t have to live with the mother to do so.”
“I know. And I don’t want to live with her. But she’s a nice girl. I mean, what I know of her. When she was talking about getting married and moving in, I was thinking she was a gold digger, but then she talked sincerely about family. She also said she lives in a dive. I don’t want the mother of my baby living in a dive.”
“Then rent her an apartment if you need to, Riley, but nothing else until we get a paternity test,” Aiden says.
Marvel comes back out with place settings, so I excuse myself. “I’m going to call and talk to her. I feel bad about the way I reacted.”
I dial Shelby’s number.
“Hey, it’s Riley.”
“I’m surprised to hear from you already,” she says.
“Yeah, about that. Look, I’m sorry for my behavior earlier. Believe it or not, I’ve had a few girls tell me they are pregnant in an effort to—whatever. Anyway, I just want you to know that I’m going to find you a new place to live. Somewhere close to me, so I can take care of you while you’re pregnant, and I can see the baby a lot once it’s born.”
“Aww, Riley,” she cries. “That makes me so happy. I don’t want my baby to grow up without a daddy.”
“I don’t want that either.”
“It would be a lot easier if I just moved in with you,” she suggests.
“No offense, but I really don’t know much about you. I can’t commit to something like that yet.”
“You know everything you need to know, Riley. You know how to make me moan. That’s all I need. I know you’re loaded, and I’m sure you have to worry, but I’m not like that. I grew up with nothing, and it’s what I’m used to. I don’t need a big fancy place to live. But I do want our baby somewhere safe.”
“I do too.”
“You swear you won’t abandon me?”
“I swear, Shelby.”
“I was so worried. I’m not sure how I’m going to make this month’s rent. I missed a bunch of shifts when I traveled with you, and I’ve been sick and throwing up all week.”
“I’ll take care of your rent. Don’t worry about anything. Your job is to keep our baby healthy. We can do the paternity test in a month, once you are eight weeks pregnant. If it’s mine, you won’t have to worry about money ever again.”
“Thank you,” she sobs.
When I sit back down at the table, Aiden says, “We started without you. You know how Marvel is about eating when the food is at its perfect temperature.”
I place a napkin across my lap and dig in, letting the shrimp melt in my mouth.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, Riley,” Keatyn says, “but I couldn’t help but overhear. I’m really proud of how you handled that.”
“And I’m wary, but I agree with her. You’re a good man. Speaking of that,” Aiden says with a grin. “Would you stand up for me at the wedding? Be my best man?”
I laugh even though I’m touched. “Does that mean I get to throw you an epic Vegas bachelor party?”