“Right, and it’s another reason to not get involved,” Victoria said. “I’ve never dated anyone with children. What if I disrupt their situation? I’m so used to following my own schedule and a little person requires a lot of time. I don’t think he’s even considered how complicated the logistics would be.” Victoria’s mind went back to how John had teased her in the history section. Who asks such a question? She bit her lip to keep from smiling like an idiot. “Besides, kids kind of get in the way of...fun times.”

Regina rolled her eyes. “If that were the case, Pete and I would have stopped after the first one.”

“You’re not even a little curious to see how he gets along as a temporary dad?” asked Paula. “What if they’re really cute together? You could have a peek into your future as doting parents of your own little girl.”

Victoria grimaced at the idea. “Jesus, that’s just a little too terrifying, don’t you think? I haven’t even agreed to have the sordid affair yet.” If she was going to consider being the mother of John’s imaginary children, she’d have to first unlearn most of what her mother taught her.

Paula didn’t let up. “Oh my god, what if he could see you interacting with his niece? And he fell in love with how you two bonded...” The dreamy far-off look in her friend’s eyes made Victoria frown.

“Wait, are you plotting something for your new book?” Victoria asked.

Paula looked sheepishly into her glass of wine. “Maybe? Sorry, girl.”

“Okay, because I do not like the idea of auditioning for a motherhood role. If he doesn’t get that my career is currently my baby, then that’s a definite turnoff. I already spend enough of my life playing roles for other people. Playing mommy can’t be another one.”

Regina narrowed her eyes. “What does that mean?”

She sighed. “You know what I mean, playing roles, wearing masks. I have to do it at work, whenever I go home to see my mother. It’s exhausting.”

Paula set her glass down, her face shifting to a somber expression. “You’re doing what Paul Laurence Dunbar instructed.”

Victoria gave a sad smile. Another one of Paula’s literary figures was correct. “‘We wear the mask that grins and lies, it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes.’”

“If we’re going to go there,” Regina added. “Let me remind y’all that Claude McKay offered the opposite advice: ‘If we must die, let it not be like hogs.’”