Page 131 of My Favorite Boss

“Um—”

“I have a question, Maggie darling. And I want you to tell me the truth. Do you promise?”

“Okay.”

I slid my hands under her, lifting her and sitting down, holding her against my chest. I tilted up her chin, holding her gaze.

“Are you pregnant?”

Her chin began to quiver, tears filling her eyes.

“Yes.”

I wrapped her in my embrace, holding her close.

“Good.”

MAGNOLIA

“Good.”

One word. That was all he said, yet it felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders.

Since the awful day my dad fell and I found out I was pregnant, my world had been dark, scary, and uncertain.

I had stared at Dr. Wilson, certain I had heard her wrong.

“How?” I whispered.

She shook her head. “You’re a smart girl, Magnolia. You know the pill isn’t one hundred percent effective. Even using a condom doesn’t guarantee anything. Is the father in your life?” She indicated my hand. “Is he the giver of that promise?”

“Yes, but he doesn’t want kids.”

“Well, then you’ll have to change his mind. Love has a way of doing that.”

I didn’t know how to tell her he didn’t love me.

He cared. Even adored. But not loved.

When Dad died, Bane had been incredible. Helping me at every turn. Holding me when I cried. Standing beside me, always patient. But I wondered how he would look at me when I told him about the baby.

The baby I would keep, no matter what. With Dad passing, the rest of the money from the house sale could be used as a nest egg. I could find another job, maybe even in the company. Surely Bane wouldn’t banish me totally.

I missed my dad terribly. The comfort that he was no longer in pain or forgetting the life he’d had offered me little relief most days. Other days, I clung to it.

I clung to Bane. But every day I didn’t tell him, I felt worse. Every day, I longed to blurt it out, and in my greatest fantasy, he would be pleased. Happy. It was reality that kept my mouth shut.

But as I’d looked around my little apartment earlier, half packed up, I knew I had to tell him. No matter his reaction, he had the right to know. And once he did, I would know what I had to do next. For my baby. Myself.

But Bane—Alex—was holding me, whispering soft words of tenderness and care.

I looked up into his blue eyes, shocked at what I saw. Nothing but love. It blazed brighter than any anger I had ever seen.

“I don’t understand.”

He smiled. “I’m an idiot, as Sam pointed out. I was so certain I couldn’t love, I refused to admit what was right in front of my face. You. I love you so much, Maggie darling. I have from the moment you bowled me over and made me laugh. I felt as if I began to live once you were around. You bring everything bright and good into my life.” He laid his hand on my stomach. “Including this little surprise.”

“You said you didn’t want⁠—”