Page 85 of The One I Hate
“In fact it was. I don’t think before I speak most times, and I didn’t want to say anything stupid.” Simon pauses to breathe and takes my hands in his. “Bug, I understand why you reacted the way you did back then. Hell, if the shoe was on the other foot, I can honestly say I probably would have done the same thing. Or I would have gone to jail for killing a guy. Either way, I would have acted first and thought later. I know who I am as a person. And what you went through with your mom, I can’t even imagine.”
I nod. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
“I’m not done.”
“Apologies. Continue.”
“Thank you.” He takes another deep breath, and I feel my smile forming at how cute and nervous he looks. It reminds me of the night of our first kiss. Funny how just a few days ago, thinking of that night brought me nothing but sadness. Now all I feel are butterflies. “We can’t change the past. And while I know I was living in it, begging for answers, I don’t want to be that man anymore. I just want to think about the future. And, I want that future to be with you.”
I think my jaw just dropped. “You what?”
He smiles that beautiful smile. “Charlie, I’m not one to believe in signs or the grand scheme of a universe, but it has to mean something that after all these years, you’re back in my life. And in this town. In this building. And, well, if you’re here, I want to be here with you. I don’t want to waste another day, Bug. I want to be with you. That is, if you’ll have me.”
I feel the tears welling in my eyes. He sounds so sure. So convicted.
And I’m about to drop the other shoe square on his head.
“Simon…”
“No. Don’t say anything else.”
“What?”
“Before you reject me, might I remind you that I brought you medicine? And I practiced. I thought before I spoke. You know how hard that was for me.” He looks downright reproachful.
I laugh. “It’s not that. And I’m not rejecting you. There’s just something else you need to know. Something that might change your mind.”
He shakes his head. “Nope. Don’t care. Whatever it is, I’m not changing my mind about us.”
“You say that now…”
“Whatever you say, Bug, I promise I won’t change my mind. Lay it on me.”
Welp, here goes nothing.
“I’m pregnant.”
Chapter 20
Simon
“You’re pregnant?”
“Yes.”
“I’m the dad?”
“Also yes.”
“You’re the mom.”
“Obviously.”
“We’re going to be parents.”
“All those things.”
“Okay, then.” I sit back on Charlie’s couch, utterly speechless.
