Page 141 of In Your Wake

“What?”

“I’m pregnant,” I repeat. “And you’re the father.”

A million emotions run through his eyes—confusion, then understanding, then more confusion.

“But… how?”

A surprised laugh springs from my mouth. I drop my head to the side. “We had sex, remember?”

“No, I know how. I mean…” Frowning deeply, he swivels on the bench to face me, then ducks his head and whispers, “I pulled out. You said you were on the pill.”

“You did. And I am.”

“So then…?” He glares at me with an expression that screams, this doesn’t make sense!

I shrug. “I guess it’s true what they say: abstinence is the only one-hundred percent effective birth control,” I say, giggling shakily, but he only frowns.

“And you’re sure it’s mine?”

I smack his shoulder with the back of my hand. “You aren’t seriously asking me that.”

“No, I guess not.” He tugs his hands from mine and plants them on his head, staring up at the sky, shocked. “Holy fuck.”

My stomach drops out. This is exactly what I was expecting, but somehow, I still wasn’t prepared for it. At the very least, I hoped he would be less mortified.

He leans forward, dropping his head into his hands, raking his fingers through his hair. “This is unbelievable.”

I tuck my hands into my lap, over my belly. I’m not very far along, but I’ve noticed a little swelling.

“I needed time to figure out how to tell you. Even if I should tell you,” I explain.

He looks up, confused. “Wait. Were you planning on not telling me?”

“I wanted to, but I wasn’t sure you’d want to hear it.”

“Why wouldn’t I? This is amazing.”

“Amazing? You might want to tell your face that.”

Straightening his back, he scrubs a hand down his face, then looks at me. “I’m just shocked. You’re going to need to give me a minute.”

“I get it. I mean, you and I having a baby? That’s pretty nuts.”

“Yeah, I guess,” he begins, then shakes his head. “I mean, no. I’m not freaked out that you’re having my baby. I can’t say this is how I’ve imagined getting you pregnant,” he explains, as if it’s the most natural thing for him to say.

Now, I’m the one who’s stunned. “Excuse me?”

“Like it should have been romantic. In a bed or something. Not in a wingback chair. Unless…” He looks at me with wide eyes. “You don’t think it happened that time in my room, do you?”

I raise my hands, my brain struggling to catch up. “Hang on a minute. I’m confused. You’re not upset that I’m pregnant, but you’re upset about the way you got me pregnant?”

A slow smile transforms his face. He covers my fidgeting knee with his large hand. “Maxine, I’m not upset about any of it. This is the best news. I’m stunned, for sure, but I’m very, very far from upset.”

Relief floods my veins, and I take a shaky breath. “Oh, wow.”

“You thought I wouldn’t take this well?”

“Can you blame me? I mean, this isn’t the best timing for you.”