Page 112 of Burning for You

If he had cold feet about us, I’d understand. Why didn’t he just say so? Using the gossip about me and Anton as a trigger to end our relationship is just cheap. He knew this would be our hell, and even though I did have a relationship with Anton, the current gossip has been built on lies. Why didn’t he get it?

Has Jesse got anything to do with his brother’s change of heart?

I cuddle myself in bed, staring at the latest pregnancy test kit that shows yet another positive.

Gingerly I get dressed, step out and get Sam to drive me to the clinic. This time, I don’t really give a damn that the reporters are taking photos. Let Levi see, for all I care!

The doctor looks at the results of my blood and urine tests. “Congratulations, Miss Meyer. You are pregnant.”

Everything in me leaps in elation, and the air around me starts humming happy tunes. The smile on my face can’t even begin to describe how big this is, how important this is. Imagine, there’s a little Levi or Caro growing inside me! The coos, the breastfeeding, the stinky diapers and the sleepless nights will finally come true.

“So it was a false negative before?” I ask.

“Unfortunately, yes. Or fortunately yes,” the doctor says.

After calming my highs and grounding myself to earth, I leave the clinic and stroll to Columbus Park. Caressing my belly, I cry. I wish Levi was here to hold me, shower me with kisses and talk about baby names.

Whether the man will be in my life or not, I will raise and love this baby, and he or she will always remind me of my true love. But I won’t go down without a fight. I will do all I can to win back the father.

I call Levi again and leave another message. “Levi, please call me. The rumors are true, I am pregnant. But it’s not Anton’s. It’s yours. It’s always been you. Always.”

“Carolyn?”

I jump out of my seat, escaping from the two hands landing on my shoulders.

“Go away, Anton!”

Sam, whom I asked to station in the car, quickly comes to my side.

“It’s okay, Sam,” I say.

Sam retreats, but not far.

“What have you got to say, huh?” I challenge the man who was once my idol.

“Has he dumped you?”

“You’ve got nerve!”

He says slowly, “Caro, by now you’ve gotta know that I still want you in my life. My marriage to Phoebe never worked out, because my heart is still yearning for you.”

“I love Levi.”

“But he doesn’t want you!” Anton argues. “I was prepared to marry you, you know. Even though I had to be a father to someone else’s child.”

I shake my head. “Who paid you?”

And the twitch that I anticipated appears on his face.

“What did Josh promise? To rescue your sinking hotel chain?” I say.

Anton holds his breath.

“He’s broke,” I add. “So stop this charade.”

Then from the corner of my eye, I see a familiar figure doing his click-happy moves. Without thinking twice, I make a beeline toward Zac Moss.

I snatch the camera off the pest and swing my arm.