Page 36 of Upon an April Night

“Back to Hershey to visit my parents.”

“Pennsylvania?”

She nodded.

“That’s nice. I bet they miss you.”

Small talk wasn’t their thing, and she wondered what was behind it.

“You didn’t leave town … well, it wasn’t because of me, was it? Because Shannon said—”

“What did Shannon say?” Her heart rate kicked up a notch. She wasn’t going to be happy with Shannon if she had spilled something to her brother she shouldn’t have.

“That you left.”

“And you just assumed it was because of you?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Was it?”

“It’s complicated.”

“I know you were unhappy that day you came over to the house for dinner, and I know I hurt you when I didn’t call from Denver.”

“Yeah, you did.”

“I was a jerk.”

“Glad you can admit it, at least.”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve called you. It wasn’t anything you did—”

Jamie held up her hand, feeling sick over what he was about to say. “Don’t bother with the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ thing. What happened between us obviously meant nothing to you. I’m fine. I’m over it.” She wasn’t, but she wished this conversation was over.

His eyes met hers again. He was giving her that look, the one he’d given her that night, and it sent a zing of electricity through her body. “I never said it meant nothing.”

“Then why didn’t you call? I wanted you to call.” Her voice was low, almost a whisper now.

His gaze dropped to the floor beside them. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Well, I’d really like to hear it.”

“Duncan! Are you up there?” Dréa called from the bottom of the stairs.

“Yeah! Be right down!” he cried.

Apology was written all over his face when he looked at her.

“Go ahead.” She nodded toward the stairs. “She’s waiting.”

Duncan’s arms suddenly wrapped around her and pulled her close. “I hope I haven’t ruined our friendship completely. I don’t want it to be awkward between us now, and I don’t want you to hate me.”

Jamie’s arms moved against her will and rounded his waist. She rested her head against his chest and settled into him. “I could never hate you, Duncan.” Her heart ached with the truth she was holding inside.

He loosened his grip but kept his arms where they were as he looked down at her. There was a war going on in his eyes. He looked as if he wanted to say more.

Jamie wanted to tell him. So badly. Standing there in his embrace, she wanted him to know they were having a baby.

His gaze traveled over her face and landed on her lips, and the air between them charged. She felt it like static electricity, raising the hairs on her arms.

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