“Okay.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my thighs. “I…” I blew out a puff of air. “I hope to god that baby isn’t mine. I sure as hell don’t want to co-parent with a woman I don’t love, who lives on the opposite side of the country.”
“Yeah. Not exactly convenient. Would you move there?”
I lifted a shoulder. “I haven’t really thought that far. I mean, I guess I could. Toby and I could swap locations. But I don’t want to.”
“Have you talked to a lawyer about your rights, in case the test shows you’re a match?”
I nodded. Despite wanting to deny the child was mine, I hadn’t been a complete idiot about the situation.
“I need to take a paternity test. And if I want to assure my rights, the easiest way is to be at the hospital and ensure my name is on the birth certificate.”
He shook his head, reaching out to place his hand on my knee. “I can’t even imagine what you’re thinking. But I hope you know I’m here for you. I wish you’d come to me sooner, but I’m glad I can be here now.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
Words couldn’t express how much that meant to me. How much Preston’s friendship and support meant to me. He hadn’t lectured me about my situation—like my father would’ve. Nor did he make me feel guilty for waiting so long to tell him. He was simply…there.
“You know—” He wagged a finger at me. “I had a feeling there was something between you and Lauren. You were totally eye-fucking each other at the wedding.”
I stared at him, eyes wide. “You knew since the wedding?”
“I didn’t know. I suspected.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I knew you’d tell me if you wanted to.”
“I wish I had. I wish I’d done a lot of things differently.” I hung my head in my hands. “I fucked up. I fucked up so badly. But I was afraid I’d spook her. And I figured—ifthe thing with Mia became relevant—”
“Meaning you were the father?” he asked, and I nodded.
“ThenI’d tell her. Otherwise, there was no reason to.”
He chuckled, and I could tell it was the type of laugh that meant you’re so cute. But no.
“Whether you or she want to admit it, you were in a relationship. And you both suck at commitment and communication.”
“Okay, relationship guru, show me your wise ways. Because I want her back,” I said. “It’s taking everything in me right now not to go to her.”
Preston nodded. “I can understand that, but I think you both need to cool down a little. Besides, you’re getting on a plane to New York in a few hours.” By now, it was almost dawn, and I’d planned to fly out first thing.
“Maybe I shouldn’t go,” I said.
“Hunter—” His tone was serious, leaving no room for argument. “You need to go to New York. You can’t move forward with Lauren unless you know if you’re the father.”
I knew he was right, but that didn’t mean I liked it. I’d be heading in the opposite direction of the woman I loved. I’d be putting more distance between us, not less. At a time when I wanted nothing more than to be with her, I’d be putting a continent between us.
“Do you want me to go with you?” he asked.
I considered it a moment and shook my head. Tempting as the idea sounded, it would be selfish of me. Alexis and Sophia were relying on him. Alexis was entering her final month of pregnancy and had been told the baby could come at any time. I couldn’t ask that of Preston. Besides, I’d gotten myself into this mess, and I needed to get myself out of it.
