Page 18 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor

A small grin hits his lips and I’m unsure how to react. I haven’t seen anything but his grumpy face since Christmas and I forgot just how captivating it is. He’s gorgeous. He clearly has good genes because everyone in his family is good-looking and smart. My baby is lucky for that.

“Felicity, let’s get one thing straight. That’s my baby you’re carrying and I’m not about to let you do this on your own. That plan you have, it includes me now.” He steps forward and grabs my hand. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I search his face and do the only thing I’m capable of.

I nod.

Chapter 12

Shepherd

I’m going to be a father. The more I say it over and over in my head, I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that I am indeed going to be a father.

“Why’s that asshole been hanging around?” I ask Felicity, still unsure as to what is going on between the two of them. “And how do you know for sure the baby’s mine?” I want to make sure there’s no confusion.

Felicity’s eyes narrow as she stares at me. “Why don’t you come inside.” She steps into her house, and I follow her, dropping her hand in the process.

We settle on the couch, and I take in her house. The living room is cozy and warmly lit, with soft lighting. A large bookshelf, filled with an eclectic mix of novels and trinkets, lines one wall, while a well-worn rug covers the hardwood floor.

The couch itself is plush and inviting, positioned in front of a modest fireplace that adds to the room's warmth. On the mantel, there are various knick-knacks, including a few framed pictures, a small clock, and a couple of candles that give off a subtle, soothing scent. A large window behind the couch allows natural light to filter in during the day, with heavy curtains that can be drawn for privacy.

Felicity sits close to me, her expression serious yet soft. “This is your baby,” she says firmly. “I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this.”

“So, what about him? What’s his name? Kurt?”

“Karl,” she corrects me. “And I haven’t been with Karl sexually since before he left me at the altar. He was at the store when I bought the pregnancy test, and now that I’m pregnant he thinks I’ll want him back, or something. He doesn’t think I can raise this child on my own. But I can.” She looks me hard in the eyes, and a sense of overwhelming protectiveness overpowers me.

“I don’t want him around. You get that?”

She crosses her arms over her chest, drawing her cleavage together. Her tits press against her beige tank top, and I remember how good it felt to have those breasts in my mouth. “I can do whatever the hell I want,” she says, and her defiance is pissing me off.

“Not when you’re carrying my baby in your belly.”

This statement pisses her off, and her eyes grow wild.

“Are you kidding me?” She stands from the couch, moving toward the front door as if she’s planning on kicking me out.

“You can leave now. I need to get some sleep for work tomorrow.”

“You’re working.” I keep my ass rooted on the couch. I’m not going anywhere until we figure a few things out.

“Of course I’m still working. Why wouldn’t I?” She taps her foot by the door, tugging her arms closer to her body.

“I don’t think you should work in your condition.”

Her face flushes red with her apparent anger. “Shepherd, you should go. Do you realize women back in the 1800’s were still working the fields when they were eight months pregnant.”

“Aren’t you glad you’re not living back then?”

“Please leave.”

I settle on the couch, crossing one ankle over my knee, resting my hand on top of it. “We need to figure things out.” I want to tell her to sit down, but I can tell I’m not going to win that argument.

Pick your battles is something my father always told me. Maybe one day I’ll be able to tell our child that.

“Like what?” she asks.

“Have you been to the doctor yet?”

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