Page 36 of If The Shoe Fits

"All right. But we need to get you out of the cold. It's likely to rain soon."

She let him lead her out of the park and up Fifth Avenue, until they reached his place. It started to rain just as he opened the door. Getting her out of the cold as fast as he could, he ushered her in.

Cade's place couldn't be more different from the Harris's. Modern, clean, with a few abstract paintings on the wall, it wasn't much of a showy statement meant to entertain. Cade didn't see clients here.

"It looks nice. Less of a bachelor's pad than what I imagined."

"You imagined my place?" he asked, amused, helping her out of the trench coat.

Underneath, she was dressed in business casual. A pair of checkered wool trousers and a soft silk shirt, under a blazer. She must not have changed after work.

"Was there an issue at work?"

Her snort caught in her throat, changing to half a cry. "You could say that. I quit."

He couldn't help but smile. "Good. They didn't deserve you."

"It was the stupidest thing I've ever done," she corrected.

Ah. No wonder she was upset. She was stressed about her decision to quit.

"So, you're rethinking your decision?" he led her to a sitting area.

She bit her lip, taking a seat. "I'm not sure. But what's done is done. I have two weeks of pay to think things over. Apply for other jobs, you know."

He sat next to her. "Carter may employ you, if you need it." Reluctantly, he added, "So would I. Not directly under me, of course."

"You don't like me under you?" she teased. But her grin soon faded. "I'm joking. I wouldn't ask Carter—and certainly not you. I can find a job by myself."

If that wasn't worrying her, then why did she still seem stressed?

"I'm so sorry, Cade. I don't know how to say it. It’s all my fault."

He shifted closer, rubbing her back. "What's going on, Helene? Tell me."

He wanted her to feel safe here, with him.

"I was going to go to the pharmacy last week, and I got busy on Sunday with my apartment search, and the family, and everything. Then, there was everything else at work. I just forgot."

Oh.

Oh.

"You mean, you were going to take the morning after pill."

She nodded against her chest.

"And you didn't?" It was his heart beating at a crazy rhythm now.

No reply came, but at this point, he didn't need one.

"You took a test," he guessed. "And you're pregnant."

Again, he was only met with silence and stillness.

Pregnant.

She was pregnant. With his child.

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