Page 8 of Verdict

His expression went blank. Stoic. Unreadable.

“And it’s yours,” I clarified.

More silence.

“Please say something,” I whispered, my leg bouncing despite my best effort to stay still.

He dragged a hand down his face, exhaling slowly, then leaned forward with his forearms braced on his thighs. “But… I thought you were on the pill.” His tone was not accusatory, but calm. Too calm.

“I was.” I swallowed. “I didn’t realize at the time that the week before we—” I gestured between us, “hooked up, I’d missed a few pills. I was running on no sleep because of a brutal deadline.”

My gaze dropped. The guilt sat heavy in my chest. I felt like such a fuck-up. I was better than this. This wasn’t like me. A misstep of this magnitude was unprecedented.

“I—I’ve never been in this situation,” he said carefully. “So forgive me if this is offensive, but… are you going to keep the baby?”

I looked up. “Yes. I am,” I said confidently, without hesitation.

His mouth parted like he wanted to say something, but I lifted my hand.

“I understand the situation,” I continued. “You can be in the baby’s life as much as you want—or not at all. I don’t want or expect anything from you, Cohen.”

He nodded slowly. I noticed then that his hands were trembling. “Does Walker know?” His voice cracked, the anxiety evident.

“No,” I said. “Not yet. I thought maybe we could tell him together.” It came out as a question, softer than I intended.

He ran his hands up and down his thighs, nodding. “Yeah. That’s probably best. He won’t kill me in front of his little sister.” The laugh that followed was strained. Humorless.

He stood abruptly and started pacing. “We should tell him this weekend. The sooner the better, before he hears it from someone else. I’ll drive, since you’re…” He gestured vaguely toward my stomach. “Pregnant.”

I snorted. “Cohen, I’m pregnant, not disabled. I can still drive.”

His phone buzzed. He checked it, then swore under his breath. “Shit. I’ve got a workout. I’m running late.”

I nodded. “Yeah. No problem. I’ll set something up and let you know. Give me your phone.”

He handed it over mid-pace. I typed in my number and hit send. A second later, my phone chimed. I saved his contact and handed the phone back.

“Okay. Yeah.” He headed for the door, distracted, nodding to himself.

I dropped my face into my hands. I couldn't believe this was my life.

The door opened again.

“Hey, Ava?”

I looked up. “Yeah?”

“Text me when your next doctor’s appointment is. Okay?”

I nodded, suddenly speechless.

He disappeared down the hall, the door clicking shut behind him.

I exhaled slowly.

Okay.

Maybe… maybe I wasn’t going to be in this alone after all.