When I was done, she said nothing for what felt like a few minutes, and I waited for her verdict.
“You were wrong for not talking to me. Do you know how embarrassing it is to admit your father is a felon?”
“But he was innocent.”
“That’s not what people think when they hear that. Most who are convicted claim innocence. And the last thing I wanted was for people to look at me differently.”
“I can respect that and again, I’m so sorry for revealing your secrets, though unintentionally,” I said. “I didn’t even give your boss your name.” Her lips pursed in disbelief. “I gave him your father’s name. Again, if I’d known you’d worked there, I wouldn’t have done it because I would have known he’d put the pieces together.”
Her expression lost some of the fire that had been there. “I wish you’d talked to me first,” she said.
“Me too. But I can’t go back in time and change things.”
She nodded. “There are a lot of things we can’t change.”
That was ominous. “What do you want to change?”
“Hugh, in the spirit of putting everything on the table, there’s something you should know.”
I didn’t like the look in her eye and especially when she averted her gaze. It couldn’t be good news.
“I’ll just say it,” she said. I waited with air held in my lungs. “I’m pregnant.”
I sucked in more air, not expecting that at all. “That’s great news.” I felt joy and nervousness. I was going to be a father. When she didn’t immediately agree, I added, “Isn’t it?”
“I don’t know.” She glanced away again.
The waiter came back with our waters. “Are you ready to order your main course?”
No longer pissed, she gave the waiter a small smile. “I’m sticking with the lobster bisque and a steak medium.”
“Well-done,” I interrupted. When her eyes froze on mine, I added, “The baby. No bloody or pink steak while you’re pregnant.”
“How can you know that? Besides, I thought we agreed you weren’t going to go all caveman on me and order my food.”
“You’re right.” I shrugged. “Forgive me. I’ve been reading up on everything and you should be cautious. We can talk about it after.” I turned my attention to the waiter. “I’ll have the same.”
He nodded and walked away.
“Is this how you’re going to be? Overbearing?” she asked.
“I just want what’s best for you and our child.”
She rolled in her bottom lip when it began to tremble. I wanted to pull her in my lap, but we were in public. “Are you really sure about this?” she asked.
Her emotions were everywhere, as were mine. What I wanted was to kiss her and kiss her belly. Instead, I said, “Yes. Honestly, I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.”
“How can you be? We’ve only known each other for such a short time.”
“I’ve dated, hooked up with, and met many women in my lifetime. I’ve never felt like this for anyone until you.”
She gave me the side-eye. “You’ve never had a serious relationship?”
I groaned. “Yes, but even then I knew something wasn’t right. I thought things would get better. And they didn’t. I should have trusted my gut. I won’t make that mistake again. My gut says I shouldn’t let you get away. You are the one,” I declared.
“But we haven’t spoken in weeks. I’ve been horrible.”
“You had legitimate reasons.”
“I didn’t give you a chance to explain,” she said.
“You were hormonal.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you going to explain away everything or blame things on the pregnancy?”
“Nothing is perfect. But this,” I said, waving my finger between the two of us, “is right. So right, I want you to marry me.”
Fifteen
Molly
Marry him? I gaped for all of a minute.
His stare finally turned into a chuckle. “I’m sorry, Molly. Your expression is priceless.”
“You want us to be married?”
“Of course I do. I’m in love with you, if you haven’t figured that out yet. I may not be the best at telling you my feelings, or even showing them sometimes, but I want us to be together always. Not just during this pregnancy. You are my world.”
I gawked at him. If my eyes hadn’t been attached, they would have rolled out of my head. “I-I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s only one word that’s needed here. It starts with a Y. Please say yes.”
Our gazes merged and so many thoughts tumbled through my head. “Will you let me stand on my own two feet and think for myself?”
“Every day.”
“Will you let me make my own decisions without butting in?”
“Absolutely.”
“Will you consult with me if you feel the need to do something on my behalf?”
“One hundred percent I will.”
“Can we agree to discuss things before any major decisions are made?”
“Indeed we can.”
“Then, Mr. Hampton, I will think about it.”
His brows shot up. “After all that you’re only going to think about it?”