Page 136 of Mistaken Impression

His face clears, and he tilts his head slightly. “Why would I get mad at you, Ella?”

I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have given him an opening to quiz me, and I cough to cover my mistake, lowering my hand again. “For running away?” It’s the best I can come up with on the spur of the moment, and judging by the surprise on his face, he didn’t expect that any more than I did.

“Which time? Tonight? Or when you ran out of my apartment last November?”

I can’t believe this. Is he seriously trying to blame me for that? “I had every right to run. Both times, as it happens. But back then, you blamed me for something I hadn’t done, even though I told you I was innocent. I chose not to hang around with a man who didn’t trust me. I think it’s better if we leave things that way, don’t you?”

“No, I don’t. Are you telling me you’re happier like this? Because I’m not. I’m bloody miserable.”

Oh… so am I.

I stare up into his face, forgetting my anger for a moment, and taking in the sadness behind his eyes. It’s hard not to be drawn to him… but I pull back, shaking my head.

“I’d like to get to the door, please.” I step aside, but he grabs my arm, turning me to face him.

“I meant to say… congratulations.” He glances down at the bump, and I blush, unable to help myself as his frown returns. “You are pregnant, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” There’s no point in denying it. “But don’t get any ideas. It’s not yours.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. You’re not the only man in the…” He raises his hand, placing his fingers over my lips, and although my body ignites to his touch, I’m too angry to let the flames linger. I grab his wrist, pulling his hand away. “What are you doing?” I say, glaring up at him.

“Preventing you from hurling insults.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I’m sure you haven’t forgotten, my insults only follow on from apologies… and I’m damned if I’m apologizing to you.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize to me. But you were going to insult yourself then, as well as me, and us, and what we had together. You were going to suggest you’d slept with someone else, weren’t you?”

I raise my chin defiantly. “And? I can do what I like. We split up, if you remember.”

“I’m not likely to forget, but I’m not going to let you suggest that you’d sleep around, either.”

“Who says I did? How do you know I didn’t meet someone else? How do you know I’m not in a relationship?”

He flinches, like that hurt. “I don’t, I guess. Although I find it hard to believe you’d have met someone within days of us breaking up and had unprotected sex with him.”

“That just goes to show what you know,” I say, wondering why I started this, and didn’t just tell him the truth.

“Okay…” He tilts his head, like he’s thinking. “Assuming I believe you about this other guy and your relationship, why isn’t he here with you tonight?”

“He’s busy. He’s…”

“Stop it!” He raises his voice, just slightly. “Stop pretending, will you? And stop lying to me. You’re carrying my baby, and we both know it.”

“You’re as sure about that as you were about my role in ruining your career, are you?”

He pauses, sucking a breath. “I’m as sure about it as I am that I got it wrong with you.” He moves closer, and it’s like I’m wrapped up in him, even though he’s not touching me. “I got it so wrong, Ella… and I’m sorry.”

“You think ‘sorry’ is enough, after everything you put us through?” My eyes are stinging and I look down, struggling against my tears. I feel his finger beneath my chin, and the slight upward pressure as he raises my face to his. The pain in his eyes takes my breath away.

“No, it’s not enough… for you, or for me. But can you stop pretending there’s someone else? We both know I’m the right man for you. I always was. I always will be. Just like you’re the only woman for me. Nothing you say is going to change that.”

A tear hits my cheek and as he wipes it away with his thumb, I feel myself deflate. I can’t deceive him any longer, and I place my hand between us, resting it on the bump.

“Okay… he’s yours.”

His eyes light up, a smile touching his lips. “He? I—It’s a boy?”

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