Chapter 50

I gawk at the white stick in my hands, trying to convince myself that I’m seeing double for some reason and there’s actually only one blue line staring back at me rather than two. Squinting, I peer more closely, and all my delusions fly out the window. How the hell I could have been so damn stupid?

I didn’t register my missed period, assuming my cycle was messed up when I stopped taking my pill. And when I started feeling nauseated almost every hour of every day, I tried to convince myself it was food poisoning or a stomach bug. But now the evidence of my own stupidity is right here in my hands.

I sink to the floor of my bedroom and lean back against the bed. A fresh wave of nausea rolls over me, and I’m not sure if it’s morning sickness or a result of coming to terms with my idiocy.

It’s not that I don’t want kids; I do. And at this point, the idea of being a single mom doesn’t scare me. I have Tyler and Ashley and my friends, and I could make it work. It’s the thought of telling Nathan that terrifies me. The fear that he will think this is some grand plan to trap him or extort some of his billions from him, when that couldn’t be further from the truth. I almost wish this was some random stranger’s baby instead, because then I wouldn’t be forced to have the inevitable stomach-churning conversation with him.

Except in my heart I know that’s not true. If there was one man in the world I would choose as the father of my children, it would be Nathan James.

If experience has taught me anything, a positive pregnancy test is only the first step. It doesn’t mean I’m going to hold that child in my arms. But what if … A flicker of hope sparks in my heart.

Regardless, keeping this from him isn’t an option. Even if he ends up hating me, he deserves to know. I only hope he proves to be the good man I know he is and that he makes our child feel loved. Because as inconvenient as this pregnancy is, our baby is very much wanted. I place my hands over my belly, and a tear leaks from the corner of my eye.

“You’re a little miracle, jellybean,” I whisper. Then I pick up my phone and call the one man I know I can always count on.

Tyler answers on the third ring. “Hey, Goose,” he says playfully, and I figure he has a guy with him.

“Can you talk?”

“To you? Always.”

I take a deep breath and spit it out. “I’m pregnant.”

“What?” he shouts. “Hold the fucking phone. You’re what?”

“I’m pregnant, Ty.”

I hear him blowing out a breath. “Give me one minute, baby girl.”

There’s a short, muted conversation between him and some guy before he returns to the call.

“I’m sorry. Did I spoil your date?” I ask.

“No. It was already spoiled. He didn’t like Top Gun.”

I gasp, feigning horror. “Not even the new one?”

“Nope. Can you believe it?”

“You sure can pick ’em.” I laugh softly, thankful for my cousin and the way he’s always there for me no matter what.

“So tell me everything, baby girl.”

I take a deep breath and tell him everything about that night four weeks ago when Nathan broke my heart. I pour out my hopes and fears, and by the end of our conversation, I have a plan. I’m going to sign the divorce papers I haven’t had the courage to look at since the day he gave them to me. My wish was that he’d somehow realize it was a huge mistake and change his mind.

But he’s not going to, and me signing the papers will be proof that this isn’t a scheme to get money from him. Then I’m going to march into his office and tell him I’m having his baby. He can choose to be involved or not. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me.

Easy as pie. Right?