Page 124 of Body Shot

“Oh, baby. Is that what this is about? You thought I would believe you did it on purpose?”

“It didn’t matter if you believed it or not—I couldn’t do what she did.”

“What who did? Martika? You’re comparing this to what happened with Martika?” He shakes his head. “Claudia. You and me…this is a totally different thing. I love you. I never loved her.”

“You…love me?” I stare, a little mesmerized hearing those words coming out of his mouth.

“Well, yeah. Why do you think I’m here even though you broke my heart and told me you’d found someone else?”

I flush. “You know there was never… I just said that…”

“I know. At least, I know now.” He shakes his head and reaches for one of my hands. “Why didn’t you just talk to me? I mean, were you going to hide my kid from me?”

“No. I was going to…I don’t know. I guess I thought I’d wait until after it was born, do a DNA test, and give you options.”

“Options?” He blinks. “A DNA test?”

“You know… the option to share custody, or just send money, or…” My voice falters because I know the last option is actually not an option at all. Anders would never give up his rights to be his child’s father. Under any circumstances.

“Or what?” He has a strange look on his face. “Please tell me you didn’t really think I would give up my rights?”

“I didn’t…think you would. But I was planning to offer the option because I didn’t know?—”

“Didn’t know what?” His voice rises as he stands up, hands on his hips. “Do you think so little of me? Do you really think I would walk away from my baby?Ourbaby?”

I swallow.

He’s probably furious.

Not only did I get pregnant, now I’ve insulted his integrity, and I don’t know how to fix it.

Before I can stop myself, tears start to fall again.

FORTY-FIVE

Anders

I can’t standto see her cry.

Especially not now.

She’s scared and vulnerable and probably not feeling too great. If we were going to fight about this—and that’s not my style anyway—it wouldn’t be now. Not like this.

I take her hand between both of mine and shake my head. “Don’t cry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”

“I love you,” she sobs. “So I didn’t want to ruin your life too, and force you into a role you didn’t want because we talked about?—”

She loves me.

That’s all I need to know.

Everything else can be fixed.

Thisis fixable.

But the first thing I have to fix is her tears.

“Shh, shh, shh.” Everything is starting to become a little clearer. It’s not entirely rational, but she’s pregnant. Hormonal. Emotional. This is still her first relationship. I have to rememberthat. “It’s okay. I don’t want you to cry anymore. It can’t be good for the baby.”

---