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Chapter Thirty-One
Dylan
My body stiffens as my heart starts pounding in my chest and the words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. “What did you just say?”
Now it’s Tessa who stiffens, her hands falling from my face as she straightens and takes a step back from me as she mutters, “Shit,” under her breath.
I push up from my chair, stepping toward her. “What did you just say?” I repeat, searching her face. “And why do you look like you’ve been crying?”
She swipes under her eyes as though trying to hide what’s clearly written all over her face. “It’s nothing…it’s—”
“It’s not nothing, Tessa,” I say, cutting her off. “What’s going on?” She looks up at me, her gaze locking with mine and I can see the fear in her eyes, the fear that’s written all over her face and it fucking terrifies me. “Babe,” I say softly, reaching for her. “Come here.”
I circle my hand around her wrist and tug her closer, wrapping her in my arms. Tess buries her face in my chest, sucking in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. She doesn’t say anything though and I just hold her for a moment, rubbing my hand up and down her back as I try to figure out what the hell is going on here.
Is she breaking up with me?
I mean she avoided me all evening, not responding to my calls or texts and when she finally did, it was weird. None of her responses sounded like her and now she’s finally come home looking scared and as though she’s spent the past few hours crying.
And then there was what she said when she first walked in.
Words I had not expected to hear, especially if she truly is ending this.
I gently ease her back, my hands cupping her face, my thumbs brushing at the tears that are on her cheeks. “Tell me what you said,” I repeat, needing to know if I heard right.
Tessa swallows hard, still looking up at me as she whispers, “I love you.”
If I thought my heart was pounding before, it’s got nothing on what’s happening now as it crashes against my ribs. “One more time,” I say, smiling.
She blinks. “I love you.”
My smile turns into a full-on grin as I lean in and brush my lips against hers. “I love you too, Tessa,” I murmur, kissing her again. “I love you.”
Her eyes close as she lets out a whimper, her body sagging against mine. I move my lips, kissing her cheeks, the end of her nose and finally her mouth.
“Talk to me, Tess,” I whisper. “Tell me what’s going on here, ’cause it kinda feels like you’re breaking up with me, even with those words.”
Her eyes fly open. “I’m not breaking up with you,” she says.
I chuckle, even as relief flows through me. “Well, that’s good to know,” I say, “because I was a little worried when you disappeared on me. I thought…well, you know.”
She exhales, her hands moving to my hips as her gaze drops to my chest. “I’m not breaking up with you,” she repeats, her words quiet. “But I am scared you might break up with me.”
“Why would I break up with you?” I ask, tilting her face to mine again. “I just told you I love you and I’venevertoldanyonethat before.”
Tessa gives me a sad smile. “Me neither.”
“So tell me what this is really about.”
She takes another deep breath, her eyes never leaving mine as she whispers, “I’m pregnant.”
Everything suddenly freezes as a vice tightens around my chest making it hard to breathe. My heart pounds wildly behind my ribs as the blood rushes through my veins, and my whole body goes haywire.
“What?” I blurt out.
Tess steps backward, out of my grasp. “It was an accident, I promise,” she says, wringing her hands together as she looks anywhere but at me. “I didn’t do this to trap you or force your hand or anything like that. I just got so busy at work and I kept rescheduling my appointment and I…” she’s rambling and as much as I’m trying to listen to her words, it’s hard with the sudden noise that’s filling my ears.
“What?” I ask again, wishing I could say something that made more sense.
