Page 3 of Mistaken Impression

He falls silent for a moment, and I wonder if it’s his turn to be insulted… not that I’ve said anything that isn’t true.

“I can’t speak for Hunter, but in my case it was simply that I like sex.”

I can feel myself blush, and I’m grateful he can’t see me. “Oh… I see.” I need to change the subject, to cover my embarrassment. “Did you put Lexi’s mind at rest?”

“About what?”

“About the fact that you didn’t think she was trying to trap you.”

“Yeah, I did. She said she still felt responsible, though… because she knew she’d been sick, and I didn’t.”

“Had she realized her birth control wouldn’t work?”

“No.”

“Then I don’t see how she can feel responsible.”

“That’s what I said to her. This is on me, Ella.”

“I don’t think either of you should take the blame. It feels wrong when there’s a new life involved.”

“I know. But the circumstances are hardly ideal.”

“Have you spoken to Lexi’s sister?” I ask, guessing that’s the ‘circumstance’ he’s referring to. Falling for her certainly wasn’t ideal, although we all know you can’t help who you fall in love with… or when.

“Not since Lexi told me she’s pregnant, no.”

“So you don’t know if she’s aware of what’s going on?”

“On the contrary. I know she is.”

“How?”

“Because Lexi told me it was her sister who persuaded her to tell me. She convinced Lexi I had a right to know I’m gonna be a father… and I guess that tells me everything I need to know.”

“In what way?”

“I suppose I’d kinda hoped it might not be too late for us. We were getting along really well. She even seemed a little disappointed that I was going away to Hawaii, and we couldn’t make any definite plans to meet up again. I stupidly let myself believe that meant something.”

“Maybe it did.”

“How can it have done? How can she have wanted to be with me, and then have been so keen for Lexi to tell me aboutthe baby? She must have realized that Lexi’s news was gonna mean the end for us.”

“Maybe she decided to put Lexi’s feelings first… and those of her unborn nephew or niece.”

He sighs. “Nobody’s that selfless, Ella.”

I can hear the despondency in his voice.

“Are you okay, Drew?”

“No.”

I have no experience of romance, so I can’t imagine how he must be feeling. All I know is he felt guilty about wanting Lexi’s sister so much. If he hadn’t, he’d never have asked for advice. The thing is, he did, and Hunter and I told him, the only thing he could hope to do was to befriend Lexi’s sister, and see where it took them.

It seems that’s what he’s been doing over the last few weeks, and it sounds as though it was going well, which makes it even more difficult to have it snatched away.

“How long are you staying in New York?” I ask, sensing a need to change the subject.

---