“That’s kind of inevitable with the amount of time you’ve been spending with him.” She takes her eyes off me to order a drink for us each.

“He told me that he never wanted a relationship.”

“He also didn’t want a kid, yet here you are.” she inserts quietly.

“I know, but the thing is, I don’t want him to want to be with me just because I’m pregnant. You and I both know that is a recipe for disaster,” I whisper, and she frowns at me.

“Fran, you won’t know how this whole thing is going to play out until it plays out. Sure, you two could get together now and realize that it’s just not going to work, or you could get together and realize that maybe… it was meant to be.” She shrugs.

“I guess you’re right.” I pick up the drink the bartender places in front of me and take a sip. I haven’t had the desire to drink alcohol since I found out I was pregnant, but tonight, I really wish I could have something stronger than the sparkling water with lime Molly ordered for me. “He kissed me today.”

“You say it like it’s the first time that’s happened.”

“Because it is. I mean, besides the first night that we met, we haven’t kissed.”

“That’s shocking. There was enough sexual tension flying around in the car on the way over here that I was afraid I might get pregnant,” she says, and I laugh. “You’re telling me that just started today?”

“No. I mean… it’s always kind of been like that, but before, it was always just… an undercurrent of tension.” I chance a glance at where I left him, but he’s no longer standing near my mom nor Billy. Scanning the room, I spot him talking to my dad and a couple of other men, all of them laughing. The relief I feel that he and my dad get along is almost overwhelming. I just hope that doesn’t change after I tell my dad that he’s going to be the grandfather of Dayton’s son or daughter.

Like he can feel me looking at him, Dayton’s gaze finds mine, and he gives me a soft smile that erases all my earlier anxiety.

“I think it’s safe to say that he likes you, Fran.”

“I like him too—a lot, actually, which is scary.”

“So just take it one day at a time.” She nudges her shoulder into mine, then does it again to urge me toward a standing table away from the bar and looks around. “Okay, now we need to find someone who looks like a Christen and pretend like we’re old friends.”