Page 63 of Upon an April Night

“Hey.” She reached into her purse and pulled out the ultrasound picture she had received from the clinic the day she nearly ended her pregnancy. “Here. It’s Orange.”

His face lit up as he took it.

“Although, the baby was more like the size of a lime then. It was taken a few weeks ago when I was in Pennsylvania.”

His lips spread into a huge smile as he stared at the picture. “Thank you.” He looked up at her. “This is crazy, right?”

“Having a baby together? I think we’ve established how crazy this is.”

He shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. You have a baby growing in there.” He touched her stomach again, sending the same butterflies darting about deep inside. “We’re going to meet our child in like six months.” He leaned back against her car. “I always thought I’d have kids one day, but I never thought it would be this soon. I thought I’d get married and then …” He stopped mid-sentence, obviously realizing what he’d said.

She avoided eye contact. “Then you and Dréa would have a bunch of kids and live happily ever after. I know. I’m very aware that I’ve ruined your life.”

“Hey, you haven’t ruined anything. And you owe me a coffee.”

“No way.”

“I told you what would happen if you tried to take the blame.”

Jamie rolled her eyes and couldn’t hide her smile.

He elbowed her gently in the arm. “It’s just going to take some getting used to, but we’ll figure it out. Don’t worry. I’m all in, Jame. I’m going to be the greatest dad on the planet to our kid.”

“I believe that.”

His eyebrow raised. “Was that a compliment?”

“Maybe.”

“Can I borrow this?” He held up the picture.

“It’s yours.”

“I’ll scan it and make a copy for you when I get home.”

“That’s fine.”

“And I’d like my coffee tomorrow for breakfast,” he informed her.

“Oh my gosh.” She laughed.

“We can go to Starbucks, by your studio.”

“It’s a date.” She said the words before she thought about them, but he didn’t seem bothered by it.

“See ya tomorrow.” His smile melted her heart.

For her emotional well-being, she needed to get past her longing for him. It did her no good to harbor feelings he didn’t reciprocate. He was engaged to another woman, and as far as she knew, still planned to marry her.

But she couldn’t help the way her body reacted when he was close or how her heart pitter-pattered when he touched her. She couldn’t help but appreciate the man he was and the amazing father he was going to be. And when he smiled at her like that, all she wanted was to be his in every way for the rest of their days.

She climbed into her car, slammed the door, and leaned her head on the steering wheel, knowing that was never going to happen.

Chapter 24

The chime on the front door sounded, and Jamie looked up from her computer. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Duncan. His auburn waves were still damp from a shower, the T-shirt he wore stretched perfectly across his broad chest and muscular arms, and those jeans hung just right on his hips.

Shannon chuckled as she noticed Jamie checking out her brother. There was no pulling one over on her. They knew each other too well.

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