“What are you talking about?” She frowned in confusion at my change of subject.

“You watch those trashy shows and get ideas in your head.” I held back a grin. “How do I know you haven’t watched one of those Real Housewives shows and decided to trap me with a baby?”

“Rhett?” Her eyes narrowed and her voice grew lower, but I just couldn’t help myself.

“They should rename that show Devious Housewives.” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “Or Devious Girlfriends That Want to be Wives.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Wouldn’t you watch that show though?” I grabbed her hand and played with her fingers.

“No.” She replied huffily.

“You wouldn’t be calling me into the living room to see how someone on the show got pregnant to trap her man after she found out he was cheating on her with her maid or assistant or something?”

“Maybe.” She said finally and then started laughing. “Okay fine, it sounds like a show I’d enjoying watching, but I certainly don’t want to be compared to one of the women from the show. You’d be so lucky to have a baby with me.”

“I was just joking Clementine.” My stomach churned as I looked into her annoyed eyes. “You don’t really want a baby do you?” My life flashed before my eyes as I thought about us having a baby and all the extra mess we’d have to deal with. It was something I wasn’t ready for, plus I knew Nanna would be upset and Clementine’s parents would kill me. They hadn’t even been happy that we were going to be living together. It was only because Nanna had convinced them that it was better for the both of us. And we’d been friends for so many years and spent so many nights together anyway, that what difference did it make? She’d told them we’d end up spending most nights together in Boston so we might as well live together. It had been my idea of course, but Clementine had been equally as excited. In fact, the day we’d moved in had been the most exciting of my life. Surreal, but exciting. Much like every other day since then had been.

“Rhett, you know I don’t want a baby. And who knows, maybe I won’t even have a baby with you when the time comes for me to have a baby.” She gave me a look and turned around and my heart started thudding. What was she talking about?

“What are you talking about, Clementine?” I frowned and grabbed her around the waist.

“I’m saying don’t worry, there are other men that would love to be my baby’s father.”

“What other men?” I growled down into her face.

“Men you don’t know.” She licked her lips slowly. “Men that would—”

“Clementine, there are no other men for you.” I kissed her hard. “And that’s not even—”

“It was just a joke, Rhett.” She pulled back and smiled sweetly and rubbed my cheek.

“What?” I frowned, my heartbeat slowing down. “That wasn’t funny.”

“Just like your joke wasn’t funny.” She smiled and I shook my head.

“Touché.”

“Rhett, you need to calm down.” She squeezed my hands. “This is new for both of us. We’ve been best friends for years and neither one of us knew it would become a relationship. There are still going to be days that we annoy each other and that’s fine. It doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t mean that I’m going to look for a new man or that you’re going to look for a new girl. It’s just how relationships go.”

“You better not go finding a new man.” I took a deep breath as a feeling of fear hit me. I felt like I’d been slapped in the face. I’d never considered Clementine leaving me to be with anyone else. It had never crossed my mind. Yes, she was beautiful and yes other men were interested in her, but it had never crossed my mind that she would give them a chance. So why then, was she bringing it up? Was she considering dating someone else? I frowned as my heart dropped. What if Clementine was done with me, already? Maybe my jokes weren’t as funny now that we were dating.

“Rhett?” She frowned as she looked at me, concern in her eyes.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I laughed and she leaned forward to kiss me, her eyes full of love. I ran my hands down her back and grinned. Who was I kidding? Of course, Clementine would never leave me. We were made for each other and I was Rhett. I was the man that every girl wanted to be with. And Clementine had been lucky enough to catch me. There was no way she’d even look at another guy. No way at all. I tried to ignore the voice in the back of my head that reminded me that I still checked out other girls. It wasn’t like I was looking to hook up, but how could I not check out the goods?

Chapter Two

Clementine

All good things one day begin.

If I knew the words I’d sing,

I’d sing it loud so we could hear.

We have only this one chance. Let’s take it my dear. Let’s taste it my dear.

“Back to Blue” by David Berkeley - The Fire In My Head

Rhett’s blue eyes looked confused as he held me in his arms. I touched his shoulder softly to let him know that we were good. I decided not to tell him that I’d had a scare last week. I didn’t think it was the right time. No, I don’t want a baby right now, Rhett, but last week I thought there was a chance it had happened anyway. That would go down real well. I hid a smile as I imagined how shocked and scared Rhett would look. He’d be like a big baby himself. There was no way I could deal with two babies right now. And I knew he’d be mad at me. I was the one that hadn’t gone and gotten the pill and I was the one that had asked him to enter me without a condom on. I bit down on my lower lip. I’d been stupid. Even though he hadn’t come inside of me, I knew the risks.