Free The Princess Problem by Diane Darcy Page B

*
     
    Alicia went home and called Katie. “You are not going to believe what just happened.”
    “You ran over an alligator in the road on the way home?”
    “What? No. You are such a weirdo.”
    Katie sighed. “I know. The baby is kicking like crazy so I’m telling her stories about animals who cross roads. We just discussed alligators so I have them on the brain.”
    “I thought you weren’t going to find out the sex of the baby?”
    “I’m not. I’m just trading off genders every other day. If I give this baby up for adoption, I just don’t want to become too attached to her, but calling her an it just seems cruel. I know she can hear me.” Katie sniffed.
    “Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry. Are you having a bad day?”
    Katie laughed, but there were still tears in her voice. “Life’s just weird, you know? I feel so stupid for getting pregnant at my age. I’m twenty-six. Old enough to know better, and believe it or not, I do know how it happens.”
    “I know. I was with you in Mrs. K’s class when we had to learn about the subject. When I refused to believe it, you’re the one who explained it to me, remember?”
    Katie laughed again.
    “Tell me what’s wrong.”
    Katie sighed. “It’s just that I looked up my ex on the computer today and there was a pic of him on the Internet with another girl. They were at a party in California.” She sniffed again.
    “That dirtbag. I wish you’d let me contact him and give him a piece of my mind.”
    “No. I don’t want that. But you’re a good friend for offering.” She blew her nose. “So guess who else I looked up today? Your boyfriend, the mattress guy. Did you know he’s listed as one of Portland’s most eligible bachelors?”
    Alicia tensed. “He is?” She carefully straightened the throw pillows on her couch before sinking down. “I didn’t know that.” She wasn’t surprised exactly. She knew he was rich and good-looking, and now she knew he kissed like a pro. It’s just that she suddenly had to wonder what he was doing with her.
    “So what did you call to tell me?” asked Katie.
    Alicia sighed. “Only that I got caught making out with one of Portland’s most eligible bachelors in a parking lot tonight.”
    “No! Seriously! Tell me everything.”
    So Alicia did. She told about the date, the teasing, the kiss. “What do you think?”
    “I think he sounds great. So why the doubt in your voice?”
    “I don’t know. I’m having one of those, what-does-a guy-like-that-see-in-a-girl-like-me, moments.”
    “The fact that you’re beautiful, fun, and talented aren’t good enough reasons? He’d be lucky to get you. You’re ex’s did such a number on you that you’re having a hard time seeing things clearly.”
    Alicia ignored that. “I was thinking I should probably stay away from him and focus on my job.”
    “Or you could take my advice and just see where this goes. Do you want to be alone for the rest of her life because you wouldn’t step onto the alligator-infested freeway?”
    Alicia laughed. “Baby kicking again?”
    “Yes. All I’m saying is take a chance. Just adopt a wait-and-see attitude, why don’t you?”
    After a pause, Alicia said, “Did I tell you he lives with his mother?”
    “What? Are you serious. Why?”
    “When his father died last year, he moved back in.”
    “That shows what a sweetie he is.”
    “I know, right? So why is he still on the market?”
    “I don’t know. Why are you still on the market?”
    “Um, because I’ve been dumped by the men I’ve been interested in?”
    “No. Because you haven’t met the right guy yet. So give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he hasn’t met the right girl. Maybe you’re her, maybe you aren’t, and vice versa. But you’ve got to at least try.”
    Alicia hesitated, nerves suddenly tightening her stomach, which made her angry. She wasn’t exactly dog meat or anything. Why shouldn’t he like her? She needed to get over these feelings of insecurity and