Page 45 of Upon an April Night

She tried to ignore how good he looked sitting on her couch again and sat down, leaving a foot between them.

The room was silent. She knew he wanted to say something, but he sat with his elbows resting on his knees, staring down at his clasped hands.

“Duncan.” She spoke in a near whisper.

He looked over at her.

“What are you thinking?”

“A lot of things. Like, I thought you said you were on the pill.”

She expected this to come up. “I am. Well, I was. I just … I forgot to take a pill and then I took it as soon as I realized, but it must’ve been too late.”

“Oh.”

“It’s my fault.” Her throat tightened as she continued. “I’m so sorry, but you have to know I didn’t do this on purpose. I didn’t remember the missed pill until I skipped a period. I wouldn’t blame you if you hate me for this.”

“I don’t hate you, Jamie.” His voice was soft on her name. “I just wish I hadn’t gotten so carried away. I should’ve been more responsible.”

She nodded sadly. He regretted it, and that cut deep.

“Do you know when the baby’s due?” he asked.

She pressed her lips together, dreading telling him the date.

He gave her a questioning look. “Is something wrong?”

“The baby’s due January fourteenth.”

“January fourteenth,” he repeated.

She stared at him, wondering if he’d realized the importance of that date.

“Okay, that gives us six months to figure things out.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” she asked.

He looked at her, clueless.

“Dréa.”

“I know I need to tell Dréa. I will.”

“That’s good, but that’s not what I meant.”

Again, he looked clueless.

“January fourteenth.” Did she really have to spell this out for him?

His jaw dropped. “The wedding.”

“Yes, the wedding.”

“We’ll change the date,” he blurted.

“I think you should discuss that with your fiancée.” That word tasted bitter on her tongue. She was insanely jealous that Dréa had Duncan for the rest of her life.

“I’m so sorry,” he said.

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