Page 15 of SEAL's Secret

Layton huffed out a sigh. Her sister wasn’t wrong. It had taken a very long time for her to get pregnant with Caroline. That didn’t mean she’d planned to get knocked up by a Navy SEAL she’d met on vacation though.

“When did you find out?” Emersyn asked. “Aaron knew something was going on earlier when you abruptly left, but I told him I’d have to explain later. I don’t think it’s fair for Aaron to find out before Hudson,” she added gently.

“I know. I’ll tell Hudson. I only found out just before I left. I mean—I suspected when my period was late. I waited a couple of days, hoping it was just stress….” She sniffled. “I took a test when I was in the middle of packing my suitcase. The box wassitting there on my bathroom counter, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”

Emersyn leaned over and gave her a hug. “You’re an amazing mom, Layton. And I really don’t think Hudson would abandon his child. He’s nothing like Tiny Dick.”

Layton laughed through her tears. “I was married to one man, and he left me. We’d exchanged vows. Made promises. Had a child. I hardly know Hudson at all, and given what he said earlier on the beach, I’m not sure this is what he wants.”

“Maybe he hadn’t planned on it, but it’s happening,” Emersyn said. “He’ll have to man up and take responsibility. Hell, even if he chooses not to be a parent, he’ll have to pay you child support.”

“God. I’m not going after him for his money,” Layton moaned.

Emersyn raised her eyebrows. “It’s his baby, too.”

Layton looked around the living room, not for the first time recalling how different things had been just a month ago. She’d been flirting with Hudson in the kitchen. Batting her eyelashes as they’d talked, imagining his muscled body pressed up against hers. And it had happened. Sparks. Fire. An explosion. Now her life felt like it was in a tailspin.

“Nothing about this feels real,” she said quietly as she looked back at her sister. “First, I got the text from Tiny Dick about his giving up joint custody of Caroline, and then—”

“Wait, wait, wait. Hold up—he sent that in a text?” Emersyn shrieked. Looking aghast, she covered her mouth and glanced to the closed bedroom door where Caroline was currently sleeping.

“Shhh!” Layton said needlessly.

“I’m sorry,” Emersyn whispered. “Just—holy hell. Who even does that?”

Layton pressed her lips together, trying to contain all that she wanted to say. There were hardly words to describe the hatred she currently had for him. “Yes, he absolutely sent me a text about it, basically saying that his lawyer would contact mine. His future wife wanted a fresh start and thought this would be best.”

Emersyn seethed beside her. “You’ve got to be kidding me! Best for who? Certainly not that sweet little girl down the hallway. I knew he was a selfish asshole when he started cheating on you, but this takes the cake.”

Layton sighed. “I don’t even know how to explain it to Caroline. I’m not sure if he’s relinquishing all parental rights or what. Not that seeing her once or twice a year on holidays is any better. As far as she knows, we’re taking a vacation to see you.”

“You’ll figure it out,” Emersyn promised her. “And I know this is bad to think given the circumstances, but I’m so happy you’re moving here.”

Layton reached over and squeezed her sister’s hand. “Yeah, I’d wanted a change after my divorce, a chance to move somewhere new, and Caroline’s father would fight me on it given the joint custody situation. This wasn’t how I expected any of my life to go, but….” She trailed off.

“Well, here you go—a fresh start, a soon to be amazing real estate career in Oahu, a freaking hot baby daddy.”

Layton shot her a look. “Too soon, I know,” Emersyn said, suddenly looking sympathetic. “But I think this will work out.”

“You literally have no way of knowing if that’s true. I’m having a baby, Em. I’ll need an OBGYN, a bunch of baby stuff. Oh my God. I’m going to be doing all of it alone this time.”

“You don’t know that. You’ll tell Hudson that he’s going to be a father, and hopefully he’ll surprise us all.”

“Even if he does want to be a part of the baby’s life, to be a father, he’s not my husband. Not my boyfriend. We literally slept together once, Em. He’s got no obligation to be there for me during the pregnancy.”

Layton’s phone buzzed on the coffee table just then, causing her to jolt in surprise. She stared in shock as Hudson’s name flashed on the screen. Em shot her a triumphant look. “See? What did I tell you? He’s already glad you’re back because he’s texting you.”

“He’s probably just hoping to hook up again like last time—until I drop the bombshell that will change his life forever.”

Chapter 10

Hudson tossed the crumpled-up wrapper from his sub into the kitchen trashcan, watching as it neatly sailed through the air. He’d grabbed some food for the road after leaving the party early, a torrent of thoughts churning through his mind. While none of his buddies had explicitly said it or asked where he was headed, they seemed to all assume he was going after Layton.

Which was crazy.

He hadn’t seen her in a month. Hadn’t spoken with her since he’d kissed her goodnight at Emersyn’s door. A night where they’d both had a good time and known they wouldn’t see each other again.

Except now she’d shown up in Oahu, looking almost devastated for some reason, and with a little girl.

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