Because he would use her, take her baby and throw her away. He didn’t want her; she wasn’t good enough to run in his circles, it would never last. Right. That’s why. Sighing heavily again, Lateisha checked the time on her phone for the fifth time. This is the only time in history she actually wanted to go to work, and then she remembered it was ultrasound day. Cursing silently under her breath, Lateisha got up from bed and pulled on a sweatshirt. She hugged the sweatshirt to her chest as she stepped from the room and right into Bryce’s chest.
“I’m so sorry.” Bryce grabbed her arms and steadied her on her feet before letting go.
“It’s alright. I couldn’t sleep.” Lateisha hugged the sweatshirt closer, not looking him in the eyes.
“I think we need to talk,” Bryce said, his voice sounding wary.
This is it, thought Lateisha as she pushed away from the door frame and brushed past him, this is where he nulls the contract.
“I really don’t think there is anything to talk about,” she answered, stepping into the kitchen.
The lights flicked on by themselves and Lateisha jumped. She would never get used to the automatic sensor lights in this house. Without seeing him, Lateisha could feel Bryce walk up behind her as she rummaged in the fridge for the milk.
“There is. There is a lot we need to talk about.” He rested his hands on her shoulders and she froze, his touch burning through her sweatshirt.
She shrugged him off and closed the fridge, moving to the other side of the large kitchen island.
“Bryce,” Lateisha began, trying to think of how to start. “We made a mistake again. My hormones are raging and I know you probably regret it too…”
“You regret it?” Bryce frowned, a look of hurt passing across his face fleetingly.
The look was gone within seconds and Lateisha thought she imagined it.
“Well, don’t you? Think about it. You are attracted to me because I’m carrying your baby. That’s all. Let’s not confuse the issue and make this more difficult than it has to be.”
Bryce nodded, his face solemn. “Right. I guess you’re right.”
He turned as if to walk away and Lateisha felt her stomach drop. Is she wrong to lie about how she feels? No, it’s for the best.
But how do I feel? She wondered.
Not willing to explore that at this time, she let it go. For a moment, she watched Bryce as he began to retreat from the kitchen. Couldn’t they still be friends? After all, she was having his baby.
“Bryce, wait.” Lateisha hurried across the room and grabbed his arm. She ignored the electric jolt at the contact and waited for him to turn before removing her hand.
“Lateisha,” he muttered with defeat.
“No, don’t say anything. We can be friends. We have to be. I’m having your baby for God’s sake. Let me make us breakfast and we can just talk.”
Bryce looked at her and smiled, the smile that made her want to drop her panties, and nodded. “I guess you’re right. You can cook?”
Lateisha laughed and play smacked him on his arm. “Of course I can. I make a mean pancake.”
The next two hours went by with ease. Lateisha felt comfortable in his kitchen, and surprisingly his home, and made them breakfast. They chatted for awhile while they ate and then slipped into a comfortable silence to finish up. Lateisha left him sitting at the table and walked to her room to change for the appointment. She hoped this was the last time she had a slip, because she may not be able to resist what he was offering the next time.
*****
Bryce watched Lateisha walk out and scratched his head, literally. He couldn’t figure her out. One minute she seemed like she wanted to be with him, the next she was pushing him away and then she wanted to be friends. After she shot him down before breakfast, Bryce was ready to give up and avoid her for the duration of the pregnancy as much as possible. Their interactions at breakfast changed his mind. They fit, like the clichéd pieces of a puzzle. They didn’t have to talk to communicate and he knew her very well after meeting her only two months ago. Bryce never felt about a woman what he felt with Lateisha. Just because they were from different worlds, didn’t mean they couldn’t be together. Their breakfast together renewed his determination to get her to be with him. He was even considering nullifying the contract and asking her to raise the baby together.
One step at a time, he scolded himself as he dumped the remainder of his coffee in the sink.
Bryce moved through the house, the opposite side of the house from Lateisha, but he could still feel her presence in his home. He liked it. The smells of their breakfast, the few odds and ends she added to his living room to make it more cozy and the idea that he wasn’t alone in this huge sterile world of his. The feeling she gave Bryce was like no other and he was resolved to make her his. He dressed quickly, pulling on his favorite suit and combing his hair just right. In his world, appearance was everything.
Bryce walked out into the living area and Lateisha stood, perched on the edge of the couch. Her hair was in a ponytail, the tight black ringlets catching the light streaming into the large picture windows and giving it a blue hue. She was wearing a white button up shirt, which tapered at the waist and dark skinny jeans. She looked beautiful.
“Ready?” She asked, reaching for his hand to help her up.
Bryce pulled her to a stand and froze.