Scott sits back down beside me and grasps both of my hands.

“Look, I wasn’t going to say anything because I know the timing is way off, but there’s something between us, Trish. I know you can feel it.” He hesitates. “Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking by me.”

“Scott, I’m about to give birth to another man’s baby.”

“I know, I know, but you aren’t in a relationship – at least I don’t think you are.”

“I’m not.”

“So, if we put the pregnancy aside for a second and focus on the fact I like you and would love to spend more time with you…”

I jerk my hands away and lean back.

Scott sighs. “I went too far, didn’t I?”

I take a deep breath in and let it out. Normally, I run a mile in awkward moments like this, but I don’t want to keep blocking out my emotions. I’m tired of being the ball-breaker, take-no-prisoners, cope-on-my-own Trish.

“You’re right, Scott. There is something between us. I like you and if circumstances were different”

He leans forwards and his lips press onto mine, stopping me from speaking. I resist for barely a second before I’m kissing him back. My hand reaches behind his head, grips his hair and pulls him closer. He groans slightly and kisses me harder. Eventually, we pull back.

“You were saying?” Scott says.

I close my eyes. This can’t be happening. I’m about to give birth. I can’t get into a relationship – not now. I feel Scott’s fingers brush my cheek and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Trish?” he says. “You OK?”

“Not really,” I say, my eyes still closed. “This complicates things.”

“How?”

I open my eyes and give him my best stink eye before dropping my gaze to my stomach. “It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it?”

“Look, I appreciate this is perhaps not the best time to be making a move on you…”

I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. He’s too damn perfect for his own good.

“All right, all right,” says Scott. “Hassle me, why don’t you.”

“No, it’s”

I break off. A Braxton Hicks comes on so fast, I catch my breath. I was hoping after a constant run of them yesterday, I’d be off the hook.

“What’s wrong?”

I want to say it’s fine, but this contraction isn’t like the others. It’s far more intense and painful, and there’s a strange sensation in my nether region: a weighted, tingling pressure, like my insides want to burst out of my vagina.

“Shit.” I gasp.

Scott leaps to his feet. “What’s going on, Trish?”

My eyes prick with tears. “N-Nothing,” I stammer. “I just”