“No STDs?”
It was her turn to laugh, her lips pulling up and her eyes crinkling. “What? Is that what Caitie told you?”
He shook his head. “I just saw the nervous expression on your face and guessed.”
“I don’t have any STDs. But there’s something I need to talk to you about. Is there somewhere private we could talk?”
“We have a break room. It should be empty about now.”
“That sounds perfect.” She nodded.
“I’m sorry I walked out that night,” he said when he closed the break room door behind them. “I don’t usually do that kind of thing.”
“Walk out after a night of amazing sex?” She raised an eyebrow.
“I meant having the amazing sex in the first place. But yeah, I don’t usually walk out without a word either.” He shook his head. “It was an asshole thing to do. The least I could have done was taken you to breakfast.”
“Don’t worry. Breakfast was included with the room. And it isn’t your midnight ghosting I wanted to talk about.”
“It isn’t?”
“Nope.” She glanced at the door, as if to make extra sure it was closed. “Look, this is embarrassing and not at all how I imagined spending my day. I’d assumed I’d never see you again, and I was okay with that. Or as okay as you can be after waking up to an empty bed.” She took a deep breath. “So anyway, the thing is, I didn’t give you an STD that night, but you did give me something.”
“You think I gave you an STD?” He shook his head. “I couldn’t have.” She was the first person he’d had sex with in three years. “You’ve got the wrong guy.”
“I haven’t.” She pulled her lip between her teeth, her gaze meeting his. “It wasn’t an STD you gave me, James. It was a few extra sperm; I’m pregnant.”
7
“That’s not possible,” James said, her words echoed around in his ears as he tried to deny their truth. “You can’t be pregnant. We used a condom.”
“That’s what I thought. But the tests don’t lie. Nor does the morning sickness. Or the heartbeat I heard at my doctor’s appointment. I’m definitely knocked up.”
“Are you sure it’s mine?” he asked.
She blinked and nodded her head. “I’m sure. You’re the only guy I’ve slept with in months. It can’t be anybody else’s.”
He blew out a mouthful of air. “So you’re what, two and a half months along?”
“Eleven weeks. But they calculate it from your last period, so even though it hasn’t been eleven weeks since we were together…” She’d rushed out before her voice cracked and her words fell short.
“Of course. I know that.” He had to bite down his anger. It wasn’t her fault, but… damn. “Are you planning on keeping it?”
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She rubbed the back of her neck, and for the first time he could see vulnerability creep in. “Yes I’m keeping it. Her. I’m keeping her.”
“Her? How can you know it’s a girl if you’re only eleven weeks?”
She swallowed, her throat undulating. He could remember the way her skin felt against his lips. Soft, tender, and so damn smooth. She smiled, her gaze dipping down to her belly. “I don’t actually know, but this baby feels like a her.”
It was as though reality had run into the room and slapped him hard in the face. Almost three months pregnant. Jesus.
“You live in L.A., right?” he asked her, raking his hands through his hair. “What are you doing down here?”
“I moved here when I found out I was pregnant. I need the support of my friends who live here.” She cleared her throat. “Look, I know it’s a surprise. It was to me, too. But I thought you had the right to know; I don’t expect any help, or for you to become father of the year.” A short laugh. “I don’t even know you. But whether you like it or not, this baby is coming, and it’s going to be a part of you, too.”
His pager buzzed in his pocket. Out of habit, he pulled it out and glanced down. A message to call the reception desk flashed up.