Page 237 of The Baby Twist
“Yeah, well, I’m a bastard.”
“No, you’re not. I know why you’re the way you are. I’m your best friend. Nobody knows you like I do. I think you’d make a great father.”
“Knock it off, Chase.”
“Nah. You’re just in shock. Once it wears off, you’ll adapt to the situation.”
“No, I won’t. Marley told me that we’re strangers now and never met. She told me to keep walking if I see her on the street because she’ll do the same.”
“I hear sadness in your voice. You like her, and don’t try to deny it. You didn’t call her for a month after the night you took her out because you started feeling something, and you ran.Don’t forget that I was here when you ran into her on the street that day. I saw the look of despair on your face.”
“You’re crazy and don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” I raised my voice.
“I know exactly what I’m talking about, Charlie. But there’s nothing I can say or do.” He stood up from his seat. “I can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. I’ll talk to you later.”
Turning my chair around, I stared out at the busy city. My entire world crashed down on me, leaving me gasping for air. I couldn’t help the way I felt. Kids were never part of my life’s plan. Commitment was something I couldn’t do. I was committed to the one thing in life that I knew I could control: my company. Babies cause drama—a lot of drama—things I had no control over.
I turned my chair around and picked up my phone. Pulling up Marley’s number, I sent her a text.
“Last night was a clusterfuck, and we both said things we shouldn’t have. I’m sorry. I want to meet you somewhere and give you a check to deposit into your bank account. You’re going to need it. Don’t fight me on this, Marley. It’s the least I can do.”
“New phone. Who dis?”
I sighed and rolled my eyes.
“You know damn well who this is.”
“I regret nothing I said last night. And everything I did say I meant. I don’t want your money now or ever. Keep it and keep walking away. In fact, run as fast as you can. Apparently, it’s what you’re best at in life. Don’t text me again!”
I threw my phone across my desk, walked over to the bar, and poured myself a scotch. I didn’t give two shits if it was only ten o’clock in the morning.
Chapter Fourteen
ONE WEEK LATER
Marley
“There she is.” Dr. Gregario smiled when he stepped into the room. “How are you feeling, Marley?”
“Not good. Morning sickness has hit me with a vengeance, Dr. Gregario. But it’s not just in the morning. It’s all damn day.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, that can be brutal. It’ll get better within the next couple of months or so. I see you brought two of my other patients with you.” He smiled. “Hello, Penelope. Hello, Olivia.”
“Hey, Dr. Gregario.” They smiled.
“You’re six weeks now, so I want to do a transvaginal ultrasound.”
“Why?” I asked.
“I like to do them just to make sure everything looks okay and that the pregnancy is viable. Are you ready?”
“I guess.” I looked at Penelope and Olivia, who were on each side of me, holding my hand.
“Okay. You’ll feel a bit of pressure—no big deal. Just relax.”
I stared at the screen but didn’t know what I was looking at.
“Oh boy,” Dr. Gregario said.
