“You should have seen your brother. Spencer was drunk off his ass, running around the lacrosse field in nothing but his torn boxers.” We both burst out laughing.
“I’d pay good money to have seen that,” I said between bursts of laughter.
“Oh, I have pictures.”
“You do?”
Andrew snickered as he nodded. “It was on everyone’s phones within ten minutes.” He took out his phone, but I held up my hands and pinched my eyes closed.
“No. Nope. I take that back. I don’t want to see my brother running around in his underwear, thank you very much.”
Our laughter settled, and I took the last sip of my decaf coffee before glancing at the copper clock against the wall, realizing that two hours had passed. “Wow. Where did the time go?”
He straightened in his seat. “I can get you another coffee or something else to drink.”
“No. I um...I should probably head home.”
He settled back in his chair as I placed my phone in my handbag. “How far along are you?”
I froze. “What do you mean?”
“I know you’re pregnant, Sienna.”
My eyes widened, and I instinctively reached for my cup, but it was empty, and I had to place it down again, looking everywhere but at him.
“I won’t tell anyone.”
I braved a glance at him while my brain screamed at me to deny it, but the kindness in his eyes, the way he looked at me without judgment, I knew it would be no use.
I swallowed, but my throat felt like sandpaper. “How did you—”
“I suspected when you asked for a soda at my party the other night. You ordering decaf today confirmed it.”
“So, simply because I asked for a soda and drink decaf coffee, you assume I’m pregnant?”
“That, and the fact that you touch your stomach every ten minutes without even noticing that you’re doing it.”
My cheeks burned, and I looked down at my hand as I nervously toyed with the paper napkin. There were so many things I could say, yet I couldn’t think of a single one.
“Listen.” Andrew reached for my hand, his thumb gently brushing across my skin. “You don’t have to tell me anything. It’s none of my business. But I want you to know that I’m here for you, and I want to help...if you need me to.”
His words dripped with compassion; his irises soft with sincerity. I’d be a liar if I said his words didn’t warm my chest and thaw the ice in my veins. It felt good knowing that he’d be there for me if I needed him, especially after the drama that unfolded with Spencer earlier.
I glanced at our hands, suddenly hyperaware of his touch that somehow reflected the tenderness he exuded toward me. It was comforting, but it wasn’t right simply because it wasn’t Noah.
I removed my hand from his and tucked a curl behind my ear so it wouldn’t be that obvious. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“I’m serious, Sienna. If you need anything, even if it’s just a shoulder to cry on, I’m here.”
Unease slithered across my shoulders. It wasn’t him. It wasn't the fact that Andrew knew my secret causing the disquiet to stir in my chest. This was Noah’s baby, and it felt wrong talking to another guy about it. Noah should have been the one sitting across from me now. Noah should have been the man who held my hand, telling me that he’d be there for me. Noah had to be here. Not Andrew. Not any other man.
“I um...I need to go.” I grabbed my bag but then turned back to face him. “My father doesn’t know yet.”
“I won’t tell a soul.”
A half-smile was all I could muster at that point. The walls were closing in on me, and the intense aroma of freshly ground coffee beans fused with the sugary scent of freshly baked donuts had me desperate for some fresh air.
I stood and pulled on my coat. “Thanks for the coffee.”