Page 29 of Hooked On Them

A reluctant smile tugged at her lips, and I watched in fascination as she fought against it, that stubborn chin of hers wobbling slightly before she gave in. “I did read them all. They were...” She hesitated, and I waited for her verdict. “Nice.”

“Nice?” I pressed a hand to my heart in offense. “I poured my soul into those texts. I compared you to sunsets. I offered to fly you to Paris for dinner.”

“That’s exactly my point. You’re completely over-the-top. And now you’re acting like having a baby with a virtual stranger is the best news you’ve ever received… even if it isn’t yours.”

I considered her words, recognizing the truth in them. I was being ridiculous. But the strange thing was, underneath the shock, I really was excited. But if it wasn’t mine, then what? I probably wouldn’t want another man involved if I was the father.

“Have you told Dominic yet?”

She winced. “No. I wanted to tell you first. It makes it less complicated to do your paternity test first. Also, I want to make it absolutely clear that I’m fully prepared to handle all of this on my own.”

“Look, I know this isn’t ideal, but regardless of whether the baby is mine, I’m serious about wanting to be involved.”

Nora pulled back, studying my face with suspicion. “Why? Why would you want any part of this mess?”

“Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” I admitted. “Because something about you feels important, even if I can’t explain why.”

Her expression softened slightly. “It’s a baby, not a marriage proposal.”

“True. Though if you are open to proposals, I do have a jet on standby that could take us to Vegas?—”

She punched my arm, but there was no force behind it. “Stop. This is serious.”

“I know.” I caught her hand, bringing it to my lips. “When can we test if it’s mine?”

“There’s a non-invasive paternity test they can do. I’ve already scheduled it for next week, and I’ll give you the number to make an appointment. I think it takes about a week to get the results.”

That wait was going to be torture for both of us. I squeezed her hand. “So we have about two weeks… what now?”

She sighed, some of the tension finally leaving her shoulders. “Now I go home, try not to throw up, and figure out how to tell my bosses that I’m pregnant. I really hope it’s yours because if it’s Dominic’s, I’ll probably need to find another job... and probably another career.”

My fingers tightened reflexively around hers before I forced myself to let go. So that was the only reason she wanted me to be the father? Because it would be more convenient than dealing with Dominic and the career fallout?

For a guy who was pretty damn confident, the revelation hit harder than any rejection I’d faced before. What was I supposed to say now? Let’s hope it’s me so you can keep your career?

That stung in places I didn’t even know could hurt.

I’d been that guy before; the easy yes that women brought home to impress the family or to post on social media. Glossy on the outside, easy to walk away from when the lighting changed.

But this wasn’t about some business deal or social climbing attempt. This was Nora. Brilliant, fierce, completely independent Nora, who’d somehow gotten under my skin in ways no other woman had managed. And there was a chance that we’d created something together that night.

I wasn’t going to be the convenient option this time. For once in my life, I was going to fight to be someone’s first choice.

Chapter11

A Total Dumpster Fire

Nora

I’d been on edge all week.

Physically, I was fine, and the morning sickness that had me worshipping the porcelain goddess had mysteriously disappeared after a few days. I was pretty sure it was the universe’s way of making room for the crushing anxiety that had taken its place. My brain? A total dumpster fire.

Any day now, I’d get a notification that would determine whether my entire career was about to implode.

I checked my phone again. No missed calls. No texts from the testing facility. No life-altering news... yet. Just the same text from Carter I’d been staring at all day.

Carter: Thinking of you both today.

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