Page 20 of Capitally Unexpected

“I’ve never really considered myself a cougar kinda guy, but then again, I’ve never met a woman like you before.”

I roll my eyes at his line, and somehow, it seems the movement detaches my brain from my mouth.

“How about a MILF kinda guy? Are you one of those?”

Hunter slows his chewing and swallows. “I mean, I’m not saying it’s never happened, but I don’t go looking for them.” He sets his sandwich down, looking confused.

It’s not nice to play with your food before you change their life forever, Michelle.

“Hunter, I’m pregnant.”

Chapter

Nine

Hunter

Yes, still ten weeks pregnant

I’ve had nightmares of that sentence being spoken at various times over the umpteen years since I lost my virginity. This though, this doesn’t feel like a nightmare. More like a confusing, underwater, slow-motion movie.

“You’re pregnant,” I repeat.

Michelle nods, chewing on her lip again. I still would like to do that for her, but this might not be the time. Hell, depending on her answer to my next question, there might never be a time again.

“And you’re telling me because you want to let me know you’re seeing the father?”

“Well, I am seeing the father. I’m seeing him right now.”

I laugh and rub a hand down my face. “You’ve got jokes, don’t you?”

She winces. “I’m sorry. I’ve had a bit more time to adjust to this than you have. A few weeks actually.”

“A few weeks. So, forgive me. Since you’re telling me, that has to mean ...”

“It’s yours. There’s no one else it could be.”

“Got it. Sorry to insinuate?—”

She puts her hands on top of mine, which is the first time I realize they’re shaking. Shit, I’m not handling this well.

“It’s okay. We don’t know each other very well. It’s a reasonable question to ask. I’m happy to bring in character witnesses, or a paternity test when it’s available. Whatever you’d like.”

I turn my hand over to grasp hers. “I believe you. I believed you when you said in March you didn’t do that kind of thing often. And I believe you tonight. But thank you for offering. It means a lot.”

The waitress comes by with our check and some boxes. I say thank you and turn to Michelle, her eyebrows raised high like mine.

“Damn, they’re good at reading vibes here. Do you think they get this a lot? Because I sure as shit can’t eat any more,” she says.

I look down at the sandwich, remembering the rich flavors as they exploded on my tongue, dulled now with the news changing my world view.

“I don’t think I can either. Wait! Are you feeling okay? How have things been? Wait. How. How is a great question. Those condoms were brand new.”

Michelle shrugged and laughed. “You have strong swimmers that won’t be contained? I’m not sure. I wasn’t on any other birth control at the time, but my period hadn’t been regular in a couple of months with stress from the move and the new job. And I’m feeling okay. Today brought some new queasy moments, but I’m not sure if that’s the nerves of telling you or if I’m starting to experience some morning sickness.”

“Is it because I crumpled them into my pocket?” I mutter to myself, her words clicking and I want to smack myself for thinking only about me. “I’m really glad you’ve been feeling okayso far. Have you been to the doctor? I know absolutely nothing about babies and the female body once we get beyond, well, you know, how we ended up here.”

“I looked it up. Even if used perfectly, condoms are only effective ninety-eight percent of the time. Too bad we didn’t play the lottery, huh? And uh, you do know your way around a body,” Michelle says, her cheeks turning red like she can’t believe she said that out loud. Her lack of filter is actually adorable. I’m sure once the shock wears off, I’ll forever appreciate I learned I’m going to be a dad by the future mother of my child making a MILF joke. Mother of my child. Dad. Holy. Fuck.

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