Page 4 of Marriage Masquerade

“Oh, yes, he does,” she said bitterly.

“Then why are you leaving?”

“Because he wants nothing to do with his child.”

She raised her chin, drawing her pride around her like a cloak.

“I don’t want people to know how dumb I’ve been. I thought if I moved away, I could pretend to be a widow or something. No one would know my baby doesn’t have a father willing to acknowledge it.”

“Good grief. Isn’t that drastic? Moving away from your friends, your job? You wouldn’t have any kind of support network.”

“I can manage. I’ve saved some money, and I know I can get another job.”

“Single women have babies all the time. You don’t need to move clear across the country,” he snapped.

“Maybe single women have babies, but it’s tacky to be an unwed mother in my hometown. Small towns in Ohio frown on that kind of thing. And I didn’t realize how much of those values stuck. I’ve lived here for years, but still feel…I don’t know, embarrassed, I guess, is the least of it. And a certain amount of shame. I’d hate for my baby to know his daddy didn’t want him. Or her.”

“So you plan to keep the baby?”

Gemma nodded.

It was odd. With all the anger she felt toward James, she thought that some of it would have transferred to the baby, that she might even come to resent the child. But she already loved this infant growing beneath her heart.

Gemma had no family. Once her baby was born, it would be the two of them against the world. The thought of that precious new life was the only bright spot in her day. Despite the complications of an unexpected pregnancy brought, she was looking forward to holding her baby.

“Who’s the father?”

“Just a guy.”

“I don’t buy that, Gemma. You aren’t the type for casual sex. Who is he? That James you’ve been quietly dating for a year?”

She shrugged, a bit annoyed by the inquisition. Then nodded.

“I thought he was wonderful. Bright, funny, charming. I really enjoyed being with him. I thought I loved him. He said he loved me. But I know better now. I’ll never trust a man again.”

Or her own judgment.

She had been confident in the feeling of being loved. How could she have been so wrong?

“He heard about the baby and left?” Nikos guessed shrewdly.

“Two months ago.”

“Want me to track him down and make him marry you? Or at least provide child support?”

She widened her eyes. Nikos could do it if anyone could. Slowly she shook her head.

“No. In the first place, I wouldn’t marry him now if he were the last man on earth. Not that I could. He’s already married—has been for years. A minor little detail he conveniently forgot to mention to me. I was just on the side, so to speak.”

Tears threatened as she remembered how ashamed she’d felt when James had told her the cold, hard facts. How ashamed and scared and furious.

“Gemma—”

She jumped up.

“Don’t say anything, Nikos. I know I was an idiot. But you don’t have to worry I’ll repeat that dumb mistake. I have to do what’s best for me and my baby, and staying here isn’t an option. I’ve really enjoyed working with you.”

Backing toward the door, she tried to keep a bright smile on her face, but from her trembling lips, she knew she was failing.