Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“How about we wait until the baby is born before fighting over it?” I shrug out of my coat and head into the kitchen to look for something quick and easy to make for dinner. I’ve got my head in the fridge, taking inventory of eggs, cheese, and salsa with an omelet in mind, when her words stop me in my tracks.
“I don’t think I can keep the baby.”
Shooting her a look of disbelief, I slam the refrigerator door shut. “What?”
“I don’t want to do this alone. I told you that last week.”
“And I said you wouldn’t be alone. I’m fucking here, aren’t I? I’ll go to every doctor’s appointment with you, help with the bills, buy whatever the baby needs. But for fuck’s sake, you’ve gotta give me some breathing room.”
She blinks, and my stomach takes a dive once the tears start. I’m a sucker for a girl’s tears. “I need more than that. I want our child to have two parents—not visits on the weekends.”
“The baby will have two parents. They just won’t be together.”
“Then I can’t go through with the pregnancy.”
I drag a hand down my face. My head is spinning, and the sickness boiling in my gut obliterates my appetite for food. “Are you seriously trying to blackmail me into being with you?”
“I’m just being honest. I won’t go through this without a commitment from you.”
“This is insane. We had a fling, Corinne. Rational people don’t pull this shit.”
“I’m pregnant, not rational.”
“That’s probably the first logical thing you’ve said.” I close the distance between us and lift her chin. Her face is wet with her vulnerability. I know she’s scared, but this seems drastic, even for Corinne, who’s always been a bit of a drama queen.
“Why would you settle for something you know won’t work?”
“I might’ve only been a fun time to you, but for me it was different. You know how I feel about you, and I’ll fight for us. I’ll fight for what our baby deserves.”
She’s digging in her heels. No matter what I say, logic won’t get through to her. Frustration and helplessness grip me in their clutches, and I’m afraid I won’t break free from this.
But I sure as hell can’t give her what she wants either.
“You’re prepared to have an abortion?”
“Yes.” She averts her gaze when she says it.
“I don’t believe you.”
“It’s the truth. I won’t do this without you, so you’re either in all the way, or I’m out.”
“This is bullshit. I don’t want you to get rid of the baby.”
“I don’t want to be a single parent.”
“Do you really think holding our baby ransom is going to make me want you? It’ll only cause resentment.” Closing my eyes, I turn away and run a hand through my hair. “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
She’s silent, and when I turn back to face her, I find her gnawing on her lip. Her hands are clasped in front of her, fingers twisting in nervousness, but I can’t read her. Maybe she is whacked enough in the head that she’d go through with it. And that’s the problem—I have no idea what she’s capable of.
If I give her what she wants—no, what she’s demanding—I’ll never win back Sadie’s trust. She doesn’t want complicated. She wants what I’ve always given her.
Security.
The assurance I’ll always be there.
Problem is, I need to give those things to my unborn child. There’s no question of that, and no alternative I can find in the interim.
Bend to Corinne’s demands, or risk her doing something rash.
“You’re not leaving me much choice here.”
Her face lights up with hope. “You’ll give us a chance?”
“What else am I supposed to do here, Corinne? I don’t want you to abort.”
Eyelashes fluttering, she settles her hand on my chest. Her fingers trail down my abdomen, aiming for the button of my jeans, and I grab her wrist before she reaches her destination.
“I said I’d give us a chance. I didn’t say I’d sleep with you.”
“Intimacy is part of giving us a real chance, Ashton.”
I shake my head. “We’re not anywhere close to having a physical relationship. You want a commitment? Fine. But the rest will have to wait until I know I can trust you.”
“You can trust me.”
“I don’t see how. It’s going to take some time.”
I let go of her wrist and put some distance between us. “Let’s just see where this goes.” All I need to do is make her believe the lie long enough for her to pass the point of no return in her pregnancy.
She looks away, her face the picture of disappointment. “I guess it’s probably a good idea to get to know the father of my child better. Maybe then you’ll realize we belong together.”
Fuck, I wonder if she hears herself and realizes how crazy she sounds. Or is she oblivious, too immersed in her fantasy world of love and babies and fucking white picket fences?