Page 21 of His Best Mistake

“I did.”

“I choose to be one hundred per cent involved.”

“You do?”

“Yes. I intend to be with you every step of the way with this pregnancy, Stella. Every single step.”

Stella blinked as she took in the determination on his face and the sincerity of his tone. “Right,” she said, faintly bamboozled by the searing heat of his gaze. “Great. This is…well, frankly, it’s rather unexpected.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Are you sure?”

“I couldn’t be surer. And bearing everything in mind,” he continued, “I have a suggestion.”

“What is it?” she said, lifting the cup to her mouth and taking a sip.

“We should get married.”

Stella choked on her tea. She coughed and gasped, her eyes watering and her heart hammering. “What?” she spluttered, as Jack thumped her on the back. “Are you joking?”

“I’m completely and utterly serious,” he said, his hand now rubbing in soothing circles instead of hard thumps, making her dizzy and scattering her wits. “You and I should get married,” he repeated, and for one totally insane moment she could imagine it. She could actually see the old, stone village church with ivy winding round the pillars and white roses and freesias cascading from the windowsills. She could see Jack standing at the altar, looking darkly and devastatingly handsome in a morning suit, his eyes on her, only her, as she slowly walked down the aisle in a fairy tale white silk dress. She could hear them saying their vows and making their declarations and there wasn’t a dry eye in the church, just happy smiles and heartfelt sighs, until the vicar asked if anyone objected and Jack’s sister stood up and shouted that yes, she did mind. Quite a lot, actually.

Hmm.

Pop went that little bubble.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Stella, giving herself a shake and getting a grip. Yes, she wanted to get married and have a bigger family at some point, but not at any cost, not without love. Not like this. “There’s absolutely no need for us to get married.”

“There’s every need.”

What planet was he on? They hardly even knew each other. “Why?”

“Stability and security for one thing. The statistics show that children who are raised by two parents who are married are likely to be better off, happier and more successful than those who aren’t. They’re more likely to go to college, will be emotionally healthier and are less likely to get involved with drugs.”

“Someone’s been googling,” she said. “And anyway, everyone knows that ninety-five per cent of statistics are made up.”

His jaw clenched. “This isn’t a laughing matter, Stella.”

“I’m well aware of that, Jack,” said Stella, feeling her temper begin to spike. “But what about those children whose parents only marry for their sake? I bet they’re not covered by the statistics. No one can put up a front for ever. What effect do you think that might have on their psyche? Or do you really think it escapes their notice? Because in my experience very little that parents do does.” Look at how her parents’ behaviour had impacted on her. She’d never inflict that level of self-absorption on a child. “I won’t do it, Jack. Ever.”

He regarded her levelly for a moment, then nodded. “OK, fine,” he said. “I’m adaptable. I can see that this is going to take some time to hammer out. But we have seven months. With any luck. In the interim you can move in with me. My apartment has three en-suite bedrooms. There’s plenty of space.”

She stared at him, her jaw dropping all over again. In what way was that a good idea? Or even a workable one? “What? No. I have a life in Somerset. A home. Work. I can’t just up sticks and move even if I wanted to, which I don’t.”

“Then I’ll move in with you.”

Stella blanched. “No way.” Her house was too small. He’d take up too much space and she’d be aware of him all the time. It would be excruciatingly awkward and seriously stressful.

His eyes glittered with frustration. “So how do you suggest this is going to work, Stella? We live a hundred miles apart and I need to know you’re both all right.”

“I’ll keep you updated by phone,” she said. “I’ll send you scans. Or you can come with me to the doctor’s appointments if you want to.”

“It’s not good enough.”

“It’ll have to be.”

He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes, and she caught a glimpse once again of that ruthless determination that glinted there when he wanted something and intended to get it. “You live alone, right?”

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