Page 51 of Reuniting with Lucy

“The doctor thinks so.” Lucy shrugged. “She said the UNC doctor gave me a premature and faulty diagnosis and doesn’t see any reason why I couldn’t.”

“What do you want from me?”

Her heart broke at the question, and another tear escaped. “Not one damn thing. Just thought you should know. I don’t need you or your money to have or raise this baby, Jack. In fact, if you’re going to be an asshole about it, I’d rather you walk away. No strings attached.”

“You say that now, but in a few years, when you realize how expensive kids are, or the kid gets sick or goes to college—something—you’ll need money then, and I’m sure you’ll come calling.”

She could not believe he was being such a jerk. Yes, it was a lot to take in, but if his gut reaction was any indication, she’d fallen in love with a cynical, selfish bastard. Even Mr. Snuggles had seen the light. He sat across the room, staring at Jack, giving him a cat’s version of the evil eye.

“If you want to abdicate all responsibility, fine. Have an attorney draw up whatever agreement you see fit, and I’ll sign it.”

“I’m not saying that.” He shoved a hand through his hair.

“Then what are you saying, Jack?”

“I don’t know. It’s a lot to process, okay? Can I have a minute?”

She walked to the door and opened it. “Take all the time you want.”

He grabbed his coat and stalked out. In the hallway, he looked back, but she turned away, closed the door, and locked the deadbolt. That had not gone well.

The tears wouldn’t stop, but she didn’t blame the hormones. No, she was certain these tears were from her breaking heart.

How could he think such awful things about her? They’d spent every spare second together for months, yet he didn’t seem to know her at all. If he had, he’d know she would never do any of those things. Nor did she know him. She had no idea his cynicism ran so deep or that he could be so hurtful. Apparently, their initial fiery attraction didn’t guarantee they were meant to go the distance.

She supposed questioning whether it could be Curtis’s was fair. She and Curtis were the only two that knew there was no possibility the baby could be his. But the way Jack had asked it so quickly, like he wanted to avoid responsibility at all costs, rubbed her the wrong way.

Lizzie was at work and couldn’t be bothered with this right now. Plus, Lucy needed to start handling things on her own. She relied on others, Lizzie in particular, for far too much. Advice, direction, opinions. As a single mother, she’d have to toughen up and make decisions for herself, and her baby, without taking a family poll on every little choice.

Lucy had returned to bed and cried herself to sleep, but woke at the sound of the front door. The bedside clock said one o’clock, which meant it was probably Lizzie coming from the bar. Sure enough, Lucy looked up to see a dark-haired version of herself peek in. “You awake?” Lizzie whispered.

“I am now,” Lucy muttered.

“Sorry,” Lizzie said, lying down next to her. “Heard it through the grapevine that Jack stopped by. Did you tell him? How’d it go?”

“Yes, and not so great,” she said as the tears started again.

“I’m sorry, honey.” Lizzie wrapped her in her arms and stroked her hair. “I thought he was different. I really did.”

Lucy had vowed to be more independent, but she needed one last thing from Lizzie—an unmistakable, decisive break from Jack.

“I can’t face him right now, Lizzie. I know I’ll have to eventually, but not yet. If he tries to contact me, will you do something for me?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Jack left Lucy’s with his mind spinning. Pregnant. With his baby. Well, supposedly his. She’d lied to him about being infertile, and now here he was, in the exact spot his mother had warned him about. She’d been right. Damn it.

As he pulled out of Lucy’s parking lot, he berated himself. Something his mom would surely do more of later. He couldn’t believe he’d read Lucy so horribly wrong. The blinding attraction between them must have obscured her flaws. Did she even feel what he felt—the pull, the desire to be with her? Had this been a preplanned scheme? Or a spur-of-the-moment thing, made up after finding out about his family’s fortune?

Ten years ago, she wouldn’t have known who he was or anything about his financial situation, so the initial attraction must have been genuine. And she would have no way of knowing he’d ever show up in New Bern. So, not preplanned before that anyway.

She’d seemed genuinely surprised when she found out who his father was. That night after dinner, she claimed she didn’t care about the money, but that could have been an act. Or she could’ve changed her mind. He’d seen people do worse things over less money.

He turned into the gym parking lot. A quick workout would blow off some steam.

One thing that bothered him was that he was usually pretty good at reading people. In fact, he would’ve bet good money that Lucy didn’t have a deceitful bone in her body. And if that were true…

What if she hadn’t lied and truly believed she couldn’t have kids? He supposed it was possible some doctor had given her an incorrect diagnosis. And if that were the case, then maybe she wasn’t after his money either. But could he take that chance?

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