Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“It’s not a stomach virus?” He winced. “Something I didn’t think through before showing up on your doorstep.” He grinned, and she did her best not to focus on those dimples. It wasn’t the time.
“Definitely not a stomach bug,” she said. “And I appreciate you stopping by.” He’d saved her a trip, not that she’d mention that.
Opening the door wider, she moved aside so he could step into her small entryway. “Come into the family room,” she said, shutting the door behind him.
She led the way, and his footsteps followed her to the casual room with her large plum-colored sofa.
Ever the gentleman, he waited for her to sit before lowering himself beside her. “How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.
She swallowed hard. “Better. For now.”
He narrowed his gaze. “What does that mean? Is there something seriously wrong?”
“No.” Instinct kicked in, and she grabbed his hand. “No. But there is something going on, and it involves you.”
He turned so his knees rubbed against hers. “I don’t understand.”
She gave herself one last pep talk, assuring herself she could get the words out. “Last night, I found out I’m pregnant,” she said. “And before you ask, you’re definitely the father.”
He stared at her for a long moment, his mouth open in disbelief, and something else she couldn’t decipher in his wide-eyed gaze.
“Pregnant.” The word shot from his mouth and ricocheted around them. “You’re sure?”
She nodded. “As sure as three home tests can be.” She ran her hand up and down the silk material of her lounge pants and stared at her pink nails against the light blue material.
Pink and baby blue, she thought, trying not to let a manic laugh escape.
“Fuck.” He looked like he was about to lose his breakfast, which would have been comical if things weren’t so serious.
“That sounds about right.” She waited, giving him time to think. Processing wouldn’t happen quickly. She wasn’t sure she’d managed to do that yet, either.
But the longer he sat in silence, rubbing his jaw with one hand, frowning and shoving his fingers through his hair, she realized he wasn’t taking this well at all. Not that she thought he would.
She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly before speaking. “Look, you don’t need to worry about anything. I can handle it all myself.” It’s what she’d expected to happen, anyway.
“Whoa.” He glanced up at her, his brows snapping together. “I’ve had thirty seconds to think since I heard the news. It doesn’t help anything to make assumptions about what I will or won’t do.”
Her chest grew tight, and she sighed. “I’m just going by what you told me. Your words during the interview, when I asked if you wanted kids or a family and your answer was a definite no.”
“Fair enough,” he said, and her throat threatened to close at his easy agreement.
So she’d been right. He didn’t want children and her pregnancy had him spiraling. Deep down, she’d obviously been hoping for some sort of reassurance, but he hadn’t offered any. Typical man, she thought, eyeing him warily.
He ran a hand through his hair once more and his eyes held a dazed expression. “But that doesn’t mean I’d shirk my responsibility. I was raised better than that.”
Responsibility. She blinked at the cold word and drew back her shoulders. Being an obligation was the last thing she wanted to be to anyone, especially a man.
“We,” she said, placing her hand over her flat belly. “Are not some burden you have to take care of, and I don’t want you around because you feel obligated. My mother raised me alone, and I can do the same thing with my baby.”
He worked his jaw, his frustration clear. “It’s not a matter of obligation. I helped get us into this situation, and I’ll do right by you and the baby.”
She rose, needing to put space between them. “Fine, Harrison. You do whatever it is you think you have to do.”
She didn’t have to like his attitude, but she’d accept whatever he offered because his support was best for her baby. He’d probably throw money at her and disappear from her life, and it would be smart of her not to expect anything more.
“I’m not sure what else you want me to say.”
She didn’t know either.
Jaw clenched, he stood, and the distance between them couldn’t grow any bigger. “I… just give me some time to process the news and figure things out. I feel like I’ve just been hit by a fucking freight train,” he said, running his fingers through the hair he’d turned into a spikey mess.
Unexpected tears sprung to her eyes. She’d blame them on hormones, but she knew this conversation had pushed her over the edge and she turned to the window, not wanting him to see her emotional upheaval.
“Winter—”
She waved away his concern with one hand. “Just go. I have things to do,” she lied and didn’t turn around again until he’d walked out and she heard the door shut behind him.