Rising (Anderson Special Ops #2) - Melody Anne Page 0,103

sure.

When she next spoke, she was shocked at her words. “I’m pregnant.” She closed her lips and stared at him as his eyes widened. Relief filled her at spitting the words out. She was more shocked when he smiled, small at first, and then his lips turned up so high she thought his face might split.

“Really?” he questioned, his tone hushed.

“I didn’t lie to you,” she quickly assured him. “I do have birth control.” She pulled up the sleeve of her shirt and showed him the small slit at the top. “I don’t know why it failed, but it did. And I’m pregnant. I really want you to know I didn’t in any way, shape, or form, do it on purpose.”

He reached out and grabbed her hand. “It’s a baby, Erin. This isn’t something you need to explain. We had sex together, and it’s a baby . . . it’s our baby.” He seemed to be in awe.

“But I didn’t want a baby,” she said, her heart thundering.

“Didn’t?” Her certainly picked up on the tense of the word.

“Well, I’m pregnant, so I can’t say I don’t want the baby, because she’s coming, and there’s not a lot I can do to stop it. I could try to squeeze my legs together but it’s a bit late for that.” She was again shocked that she was making a joke.

“I wasn’t looking to get you pregnant, but I’m not unhappy about this,” he said.

“It sounds like the two of you need to celebrate,” Tom said as he snuck up behind them, making Erin jump. He set down a huge slice of pie with a candle in it and an enormous scoop of ice cream on the side. “Congrats.”

He left them and walked back to the kitchen. Steve leaned over and blew out the candle, picked up a spoon, scooped up a big piece of pie and ice cream, and took a bite.

“We shouldn’t hang out here too much. I might get really fat,” he said after his second bite.

“I’m so confused right now, Steve,” she said. She picked up her spoon and took a delicate bite of the pie, but she’d lost her appetite.

They sat across from each other, both of them having a lot to think about. Steve ate most of the pie. She had a feeling he could be in the middle of a tornado and still manage to eat. It was crazy.

Finally, she looked at him, this time she reached across the counter and took his hand. He pushed the plate away and looked her in the eyes.

“Steve, can you give me some time to think about all of this? I’m confused. I need to process the baby and my uncle. I appreciate so much that you’ve been honest with me, that you didn’t try to hide you were here because of him. That goes a long way to show your character. But I’m still confused. Will you give me a few days of not seeing each other, not texting, and not calling?”

He shook his head as if he wanted to deny her the request, but she kept looking at him, her eyes pleading with him. She’d said her piece, and now it was up to him if he cared enough to respect her. His shoulders finally sagged. He looked so sad as he spoke.

“I don’t want to, but I love you, Erin. I truly do. And if you need a few days, I’ll give them to you even if it will be hell for me.” He paused, squeezing her fingers. “But I’ll have my phone on me twenty-four/seven. All you have to do is ask, and I’ll be at your side. I’m willing to do anything you want. We can be together. We can be a family,” he said.

“Thank you, Steve,” she said. “We need to start now. I’m not feeling so good again.”

She was filled with both relief and sadness as he nodded. He stood, leaned across the counter, kissed her cheek, and then turned and walked away. She went to the backroom and sat, then broke down in tears just as her back door opened and her replacement came in.

Erin thanked her, gathered her items, and practically ran from the restaurant. She needed a few days to figure it all out. Maybe she’d head to the coast and find a place on the beach where she could sit on a balcony with the ocean in front of her and the wind carrying away all of her