Page 36 of The Wrong Side Of Us

We’re having a baby.

“I can call Jesse, tell her that I can’t be there or—”

“Stop.” I laughed. “I’m fine. You’re getting out early for my appointment already, aren’t you?” He nodded, sighing. “Then don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Now let’s go back to bed because you need to be up in four hours.”

Without warning, he swept me off my feet and into his arms, carrying me off to the bed. If it would have been up to him, he would carry me everywhere, wouldn’t let me lift a finger.

He laid me down, pulling me into his arms; his hold around me was tight and comforting. His hand rested on my tummy, drawing circles as if he couldn’t help himself. Quietly, we both fell into deep sleep, while I held our little baby in my belly and Nathan held both our lives in his arms.

***

That afternoon, I had lunch with my ex-professor, Thomas Lanthorn. Saying it was awkward was a huge understatement—especially after hearing him fucking some random woman in my boyfriend’s apartment.

Professor Lanthorn, or Tom, tapped his fingers on the table of the small diner while avoiding my gaze at all costs. I took a sip of my chocolate shake and forced a smile while he looked out the window.

The waitress approached us after a few minutes and set our plates in front of us; we both uttered a quiet “thank God” at the much-needed distraction. At least we could now focus on our food rather than the uncomfortable silence.

It wasn’t like I didn’t like him. I just didn’t know what to say. What could I say? Thanks for causing a misunderstanding? I’m sorry about your wife cheating on you, but I’m still pissed about you being in my boyfriend’s apartment and causing a problem?

“Are you going back to school?” he asked me after a few minutes.

Relieved that he finally gained some balls to say something, I looked up at him. “Yeah, maybe take a couple of classes this upcoming semester. I just need to be sure I can still register.”

He nodded. “You decided on your major yet?”

“God no,” I snorted, feeling ashamed. I still hadn’t figured out what I wanted to do with my life. The two things I knew for certain were that I didn’t want anything to do with business and I wanted to do something I loved.

“You’ll figure it out.” He smiled. “You’re a bright girl, Evelyn.” Thomas cleared his throat, nervously eyeing me after a few quiet seconds. “I’m very sorry for the trouble I’ve caused. I suppose I’m having a bit of a midlife crisis with everything going on.”

“Midlife crisis? Aren’t you, like, under forty?”

The professor chuckled. “Yes, I am. But as you can imagine, finding out that your whole marriage has been a lie is quite a shock. I haven’t been making the best decisions. And breaking into Nathan’s apartment like that was one of them. I took advantage of him trusting his keys and well…”

“It’s okay. I know what it’s like.”

“I suppose you do.” He smiled. “So we’re good? You’re good with Nathan, too? I didn’t fuck it up for you two, did I?”

Not at all.

The rest of lunch was relaxed. He was right; I couldn’t look at him as my ex-professor anymore. Not when he was good friends with Nathan and would more than likely be around for a while.

Thomas was easy to talk to, and just like he’d forged a friendship with Nathan, I felt we would do the same.

After a while, we headed to the gallery where Nathan and I would leave together to my appointment. There was no hiding my excitement. We’d be hearing our baby’s heartbeat for the first time; there was nothing else I wanted more.

We could hardly see through the crowded gallery.

“They are busy today,” Thomas whispered.

Now I wasn’t sure if Nate would be able to go with me. After searching, I saw him speaking to a young couple who seemed very interested in what he was saying. He waved, smiling as soon as he caught sight of me.

I smiled, silently letting him know that I’d wait for him until he finished.

“I hope I’m invited to the wedding.”

I rolled my eyes at Thomas, who simply raised a knowing eyebrow. I felt like screaming to the whole world that we were having a baby but contained myself, knowing well that we still needed to be sure everything was okay.

“Evelyn!” I jumped back, startled at Jessica’s voice. Her red hair was up in a half-do, and she had a small smile on her face. “Nathan’s almost done. They’re potential buyers,” she informed.

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