Fall for Me (Danvers #3)(20)
“We work together,” Beth answered quickly.
“We also live together and Beth is having my baby,” Nick added helpfully.
Beth watched in horrified fascination as Seth’s uncertain smile slowly slipped off his face as he noticed the embarrassment on hers. “Beth? Is this true?”
With a weak smile, she said, “We don’t officially live together; it’s complicated.”
“That wasn’t really the part I was asking about,” he said.
She knew her face was flaming as she searched for an answer that wouldn’t sound as damning as the truth. “Er, yes, I am pregnant,” she admitted, “But we aren’t in a relationship or anything so I can see other people.” Oh, my God, just shut up. Do you hear yourself? You have just given new meaning to the expression “white trash.”
Seth stood up from the table, now completely flabbergasted. “I think you two need some time alone. Beth . . . good luck.” With those words, he left as if the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels.
Nick walked around to take the recently vacated chair as she hissed, “What in the hell was that?”
“I don’t know what you mean, princess. If you wanted me to lie for you, then you should have warned me ahead of time. I was just answering his question honestly.”
Getting to her feet, Beth snapped, “Well, bravo for you then. I’ll leave you here to revel in your honesty.” She saw Nick hastily throw some bills on the table as he followed her out. When he reached over to pluck her keys out of her hand, she rounded on him, full of fury. “Give me my keys, Nick; I just want to go home.”
All signs of humor were gone from his handsome face as he said, “You’re too upset to drive. I’ll take you home and we can pick up your car in the morning.”
“I’m fine! Just give me back my keys.”
She sucked in a breath as he laid his hand against her stomach. “That’s our child in there, Beth. I’m not letting you tear out of here while you’re this upset. I’d never forgive myself if you had an accident and you or the baby was hurt.”
All of the fight left her as her anger deflated. How could he drive her so crazy one moment and then say something like that in the next moment? He put a hand on the small of her back and gently led her toward his car. When he had her settled in the passenger seat, he walked around to the driver’s side and slid in.
They drove across town in silence. She was relieved to escape to her bedroom when they reached the apartment. She desperately needed a few moments to herself to come to grips with the train wreck that was her life. She couldn’t believe that Nick had rolled out their dirty laundry for the world to see tonight. Seth wasn’t likely to ever speak to her again. The look on his face had been priceless. Just thinking about it made her start to laugh. Then, once the laughter started, she couldn’t seem to stop. Nick stuck his head in the doorway, looking at her as if she had lost her mind. It only made her laugh harder. Soon tears were coursing down her cheeks as she fought to take a breath.
“Um, princess, are you okay?”
Suddenly her laughter turned into tears. His concern was her undoing. The enormity of her situation was finally hitting home. Nick sat down on the bed and gathered her into his arms. He cradled her like a child, stroking her hair and murmuring soft words of comfort as she continued to sob. “I’m sorry, baby; I shouldn’t have done that to you. I . . . I didn’t know you liked that guy this much.”
“It’s not that,” she mumbled. “That was actually kinda funny. I’m scared, Nick. I’m having a baby and Suzy’s right; this is a life-changing moment. Everything’s changing and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to handle it.” She took a hesitant look at his face, afraid of what she would see there. He probably thinks I’m a pathetic basket case. All I do now is cry and throw up. If I were him, I would have my suitcase packed and waiting at the door.
He grabbed a tissue from the nightstand and dried her tears. He kissed her on the forehead and pulled her back into his embrace. “I keep trying to tell you that I’m here for you. This isn’t your baby, this is our baby. Why are you more than willing to go out with a man that you met through a dating service and give him a chance, but not me? We’ve been sleeping together for the last six months, but you’d rather trust a stranger than me?”
Oh shit, that really sounds bad. If I didn’t know better, I would swear he’s hurt. Has he ever given me reason to believe that I couldn’t trust him? No. With a sigh, she pulled back to study him. “I’m sorry; you’re right. I haven’t handled this very well. You have to admit, you do have a bit of a reputation.” Really? You couldn’t just apologize and make nice?
Chuckling, he said, “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better. As for my reputation, princess, I’m a man. I don’t sleep with a different woman every night, but, yes, I have dated my share. Contrary to popular belief though, I’m not some kind of gigolo. I’m perfectly capable of being faithful to one woman. If you haven’t noticed, you’ve had my full attention since the moment we met and I can’t imagine that changing anytime soon.”
He looked so sincere that she wanted to believe him. Maybe it was time to see what he really was made of. She would give him the chance that he seemed to want so much, but she wasn’t going to make it easy. From now on, Nick would be involved up to his elbows. She would drag him to every doctor’s appointment. They would be on a first-name basis with the employees of Babies-R-Us, where they would shop weekly until they found the perfect breast pump. She would ask him to rub her feet every night and cater to any cravings that she might have. First up though, they would babysit for Claire and Jason tomorrow night. If he made it through that, the games would begin. If he was still standing at the end, then she would beg him to marry her and never look back. Be prepared—he’s never going to make it. Don’t let him break your heart. The man has left a trail of panties and broken hearts from here to Charleston. Don’t forget it!