Page 111 of A Good Book

His hesitation answered my question.

Were you going to sleep with her?

“Gabby.” His face tensed as he shook his head.

I hurled the notepad at him. “NO! NotGabby! That’s not what you say. Oh my—” I cupped a hand over my mouth to muffle my sob.

He was going to have sex with her because we were over in his mind.

“Ihatedmy life,” he said, stabbing his fingers into his hair. “I hated the pity. I hated the look on your face because you blamed yourself. I hated not knowing if I would ever live up to Matthew Cory in your mind.”

I couldn’t look at him. And I didn’t want to hear his excuses.

“Gabby, you taunted me. Had I opened the first letter from you when you sent it, I never would have opened the rest.”

“I was mad,” I signed.

He shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”

“Ugh!” Ihatedthat he got to speak his emotions without thinking them through. I had to stop, control myself, and write everything down.

He handed me the notepad, and I jerked it out of his hand.

I was mad! You knew there was a possibility that I could be pregnant but you still broke up with me.

He frowned. “It was a slim chance.”

It was a 100% chance. I’M PREGNANT!

He flinched.

Is that your method? Pulling out? How many other girls have you impregnated?

“None. I wasn’t planning on having sex with you. It just happened.”

You had no intention of coming here. You’re not really here for me. Intention is everything! Just go home.

I stood and shoved the notepad into his chest before opening the door.

“Intention is nothing.” He tossed the notepad onto my desk and shoved his feet into his sneakers. “Reality is everything.” He stopped at the door, peering down at me. “And here’s what is real. I’ve loved you foryears. Something really shitty happened to me, and I’ve had a hard time accepting it. But you’re pregnant with our baby, and all I want to do is get my life together and be a good father and husband.What’s realis I don’t care how we got here or how bad the timing may seem. I’m not mad about it. You are my fucking dream, Gabriella Grace Jacobson. And I’m not letting you go. That’s what’s real.Thatis everything.So you just think about that while I’m gone.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE

NIGHT RANGER, “SISTER CHRISTIAN”

Gabby

“Hey, Gabbs. What’s up?”My sister Eve asked, answering my call.

“I need advice.”

She laughed. “And you’re calling me? Did Sarah die?”

“No. But did she tell you I slept with Ben?” I stared out my dorm room window at the lights illuminating the parking lot a little before ten at night.

There was a silent pause on the line. That was my answer.

“I’m proud of you. Virginity is overrated,” she said.

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