Page 28 of Unsure in Love
“You barely know me. How do you know I’m not always jumpy?”
His lips curved into that smile that made my heart dip into my stomach and bounce back up. “I know enough. The woman I met four months ago was more poised.” He searched my face as if looking for something.
My eyes darted from side to side.
Damian frowned. He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Look, Cass, I’m going to go. You seem—”
“I have something to tell you,” I blurted.
His eyebrows shot up. “Should I be worried?”
I sure as hell was. “How about you decide that a little later?” I had to do this. Telling him was the right thing to do.
Suddenly, Damian’s imposing presence made the room seem smaller.
“Jesus, Cass, you’re looking at me as if I’m a different species. What is it?”
I blinked. “I’m sorry.” My teeth sank into my lower lips so hard, I almost drew blood. “The last time we… four months ago…”
“I know what this is about.”
My eyes went wide. “You do?”
He rocked back on his heels. “I freaked you out when I told you I like you and wanted to get to know you.”
“I returned the sentiment.”
His lips lifted into a wry grin. “Yeah, but now you’re acting cagey.” Rubbing the back of his neck, he blew out a breath. “Maybe I should have kept my feelings to myself. Look, you don’t owe me anything, so relax.”
Groaning, I dropped my head into my hands. “Stop trying to make this easy for me, Damian. I don’t deserve it.”
“Cass, what the hell are you talking about?”
I took a deep breath. It was the moment of truth. “Now, I kind of wish I never saw you again,” I muttered. I hadn’t meant to say it out loud, and when Damian’s expression shuttered, I felt like an ass. “I didn’t mean it like that.” If I hadn’t seen him again, it would have been so much easier to never let him know about the baby.
“Right,” he said. “Like I said before, you don’t owe me anything. You don’t even have to see me again before you leave if you don’t want to. I just thought you were interested. If not,” he shrugged. “No big deal. I should get going.”
“No, Damian, wait. It isn’t about anything you said. Just let me explain.”
His stance relaxed. “Okay.”
“I didn’t mean it isn’t nice to see you again. Our reunion was unexpected, but I don’t mind it. I…” I couldn’t tell him I missed him. That would make me sound needy. Besides, was it even logical to miss someone I barely knew? Someone I had a one-night stand with? “There's something I’ve been keeping from you.”
He lifted one eyebrow. “I’m sure I can’t hold whatever it is against you. It isn’t like we’ve been in contact.”
When I remained silent and nibbled on my lower lips, he sighed. “Please, can you relax? You’re making me nervous.”
“It’s hard to relax. The thing I’ve been keeping from you is pretty big.” My nervous laughter sounded extra loud in the silence. “Huge.” It would be in about five more months…
His eyes narrowed and mine skated away from him to bounce all over the room. I was so irritated with myself. A grown woman afraid to come out with the news of her pregnancy was ridiculous. I mean, what was the worst that could happen other than Damian telling me he wanted nothing to do with the child… and me?
I could handle that. It wouldn’t be the first time a man walked out on me. My father did, and I survived.
“To hell with it.” Digging deep to find the bold me—my sisters told me I had big lady balls all the time—I came out with it. “I’m pregnant.”
When Damian continued to stare with a blank expression, I clarified. “I’m four months pregnant.”
He blinked, and then his eyes widened.