Page 38 of An Heir For Her Enemy

Finally, the plane was ready. They got settled and soon were barreling down the runway towards lift-off. Rome, and the time they’d shared there, shrank below them into a tiny toy town, then disappeared. When they broke the cloud cover, Delaney turned away from the window and fixed Logan with those blue eyes.

“It’s time to talk.” Her tone left no room for argument.

CHAPTER 16

DELANEY

Delaney stared at Logan, who looked back at her warily. It seemed that the last thing he wanted to do was acknowledge the proverbial elephant in the room — or, rather, the baby in the womb. Delaney couldn’t wait any longer, though. She’d understood the logic of waiting until they’d finished the authentication appointment. She understood why he hadn’t wanted to talk in the crowded waiting room or in the car when they were running late. But it was time to talk now.

Logan didn’t say anything, though. He just looked at her.

“Well?” Delaney’s tone was a bit sharper than she’d intended. “We both saw the test.”

Still, Logan didn’t say anything. He folded his hands in his lap and took a breath, but still didn’t speak.

“I’m pregnant!” That had come out far too loudly, but if the pilot overheard that Delaney was expecting a baby, so be it. Maybe he’d have something to say, even if Logan didn’t. “And to answer your first question, the baby is yours.”

“I knew that,” Logan said, his voice low and calm. Delaney waited for a beat, but he didn’t continue.

“Okay, so I’m pregnant, and the child is yours.” Delaney made a circle with her hand in a “what’s next?” gesture. “Don’t you have anything you’d like to say about that?”

Logan let out another sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “What do you want me to say, Delaney? It isn’t like we’re a couple. And even if we were, this wouldn’t be the right time to have a child.”

“Well, wearehaving a child.” Delaney gestured to her abdomen. “Whether this is the right time or not, that’s happening. I’m going to be a mother, and you’re going to be a father. The only question now is what we’re going to do about it.”

“Look.” Logan leaned forward in his chair. “I never wanted to be a father. This is a very important time in my career, so even if I wanted to, I couldn’t very well play house.”

“I’m not asking you to.” Delaney didn’t care how sharp her tone was now. Logan deserved every cutting barb that she could make. “No one is asking you to start going to parent-teacher conferences or changing diapers.”

“Then whatareyou asking?”

“I don’t know!” Delaney threw her hands up. “I’m asking for some reaction. Some acknowledgment of what’s happening to both of us. Is it really too much to ask?”

“Okay, okay. I get that this must be difficult for you, too. What I’m trying to say is that there isn’t much I can offer you, unfortunately.”

Delaney felt his words like a barb in her heart. She’d always known that Logan didn’t want a serious relationship. Even she hadn’t been looking for one, but things had changed. Hadn’t they? She had started to fall for him, despite the walls she’d tried to keep up. Yet Logan clearly didn’t feel the same way.

“So, that’s it then?” Delaney struggled to keep her voice from breaking.

“Of course, I’m going to support you and the baby. I’ll take care of you both financially. But as you know, a child and a family aren’t part of my plans. I’m sorry, Delaney.”

Delaney took a deep breath. If she were being honest with herself, this was the best thing she could have hoped for. Logan was never going to be the kind of guy who proposed just because he’d gotten her pregnant. And she wouldn’t have wanted that, anyway. She hadn’t wanted any of this. The night she’d spent with Logan had been wonderful, and she was excited about becoming a mother, but coming to Rome had been a mistake. She’d let herself fall for him all over again — and he was walking away, all over again.

“That seems like the least you could do.”

“I know. Truly, Delaney, I’m ready to give you anything you need. I can help you buy a house, send regular payments, give funding for your gallery, anything.”

But your heart is off-limits.Somehow, Logan’s list of things he was willing to pay for made Delaney feel even worse. Somehow, she’d become one of those women in a novel who needed to be paid off so that she’d stay away.

“I won’t turn down your offer of child support.” Delaney took a deep breath. “But everything else, I’ll do on my own. I’ve builtthe life I have from nothing, and I’ll do the same now. I don’t want your pity.”

“Pity?” Logan shook his head. “Never. I know that you’re capable of anything you set your mind to. And I know you’ll be a wonderful mother. I just know that I wouldn’t be a wonderful father — or a good partner to you. It might be hard to understand, but I’m trying to do the best thing for all of us by keeping my distance.”

“I understand more than you think.” Delaney folded her arms. “I understand that you’re scared. You think that if you step away from the work of your company for even an hour or let yourself care about something, or someone, else, everything will fall apart. I know you’re scared of letting yourself fall in love. And hey, maybe you’re right. I don’t know. All I know is that you’re too afraid to find out.”

“Maybe I am scared.” Logan shrugged. “But this is my choice. I’ll support you financially, but this is it for us. It has to be.”

“Understood. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to rest. Creating a human from scratch requires a lot of energy, and I don’t have any more time for this.”

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