Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“How was getting here?” he asks as I drop down into my seat, already knocked so off-guard I can barely think.
“Uh, no problem, I took an Uber.”
“I’ll reimburse you.”
Panic slides into my core. Am I seriously already taking from him? “No, no, that’s totally fine. Is this for me?” I stupidly grab the cup and drink—only to find my exact normal order. It’s so familiar and helps to ground me, and I smile despite myself. “It’s really good.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“How’d you know I took my coffee like this? Actually, never mind, doesn’t matter.” The nerves return and I have to steady myself. “I should just say it, you know? I need to spit it out and get it out in the air before my head explodes.”
“Say what, Angelina?”
His face is blank like he’s already bored of me. What the hell am I doing here? Connor Maguire’s a successful, powerful man. He’s attractive, intelligent, driven, everything I’m not. This man doesn’t want anything to do with me and this baby growing inside of me.
But no, I’m not going to back down. I’m not going to be a coward. Because I’m not here for me. My life isn’t my own anymore.
I’m here for my child.
I fold my hands and straighten my back, lifting my chin.
“We slept together. A few weeks ago. You remember, right?”
His mouth twitches. I think he’s frustrated. “That’s not something I’d forget.”
“Right. Good. And we didn’t… you know… use protection.”
“Not that I recall.”
“I want you to know that I’m not doing this to punish you… and I don’t even know what I want, if anything at all… but I thought you needed to know.”
“Know what, angel?” he whispers, and it’s that nickname again. It sends my stomach into a chaotic mess, twisting and churning, and I have to say it before I lose my nerve.
“Connor, I’m pregnant, and you’re the father.”
The words hang in the air, thick like molasses. I take another drink—seriously, how does he know my order—just to give my hands something to do.
His expression doesn’t change. He shifts his weight, leaning closer. “Have you been to a doctor yet?”
I shake my head, looking down at my hands. “No, but I took a few tests. I’m sure.”
“When did you find out?”
“Only a few days ago.”
His face darkens. His hands rub together like he’s working something between them. A low, angry snarl escapes his lips, and I feel like my life’s coming to an end.
He hates me now. And how can I blame him?
I’m blowing up his life, just like he blew up mine. But this baby is happening and he’s the father, and how could I look myself in the mirror if I didn’t at least try to talk to him?
Now’s the part where he screams at me; where he threatens me; or worse, where he offers to pay me off. He might even ask me to get an abortion. The idea makes bile roll up the back of my throat. Connor’s jaw works, and I wish I were anywhere else. I feel numb and light, floating through the sky. Only my coffee’s keeping me pinned in place.
He’s going to tell me to get rid of it now, and I’m ready to hear him say it, but I know it’s going to kill me.
“You need to make an appointment with an OB,” he says, taking out his phone. “I’ll reach out to a friend. You’ll see the best.”
Fuck, there it is.
He wants me to see his private doctor to have this baby ripped out.
My shoulders slump. I look down at the table. Tears fill my eyes, and I hate him and hate myself. “I’m keeping the baby, Connor.”
He reaches out. I think he’s going to hit me, but no, that’s insane. Instead he puts his hand on mine, leaning forward, face still dark with anger, but his eyes also shining with something else.
“Of course you’re keeping our baby, angel. I’d never fucking ask you to do anything else.”
My mouth opens. Again, I can barely find the words. “You… you want me to keep the baby?”
“Our baby.” The way he says it makes my heart skitter and jump. The possessiveness, the anger and fierceness. Like he’s a lion. “You need to start going to regular visits, taking vitamins, I don’t know, doing all the pregnant woman shit. And there will be diapers, changing tables, an entire world of baby-related stuff we’ll need—“
“Slow down, Connor. Nobody said anything about we.”
His grip tightens on my fingers. “That’s my baby, Angelina. You think I’m letting you walk out of here as a single mother?”
“No, I mean, I’m not asking you to do anything you don’t want to do. I’m only telling you—“
“I want this. I want you. I want that baby.”
I’m shocked by the obsession in his voice. He looks manic, almost psychotic, and it’s scaring me. “We’re not together… I mean, I don’t need you to step up and do the right thing. If you want to be in the baby’s life, that would be amazing. We can co-parent together. I know this is a lot… it’s complicated and we barely know each other… but I’m really not here to hurt you, Connor.”