She blinked at him, startled by the response. “You don’t…”
“No, I don’t. I don’t know if it’s mine.”
She clenched her jaw, regret and shame rolling over her like tidal waves over the fact that she’d slept with a man who cared for her so little. What had she been thinking?
“Well, it is yours,” she ground out. “And all I’m doing in this conversation is informing you?—”
“It’s your problem, Meredith,” he spat back. “And you cannot tell anyone…”
As his voice faded out, she inched closer, not comprehending this despicable reaction.
“You’re really saying that to me right now, Trevor? Are you serious?”
“I don’t want a baby,” he said. “And I don’t want this turning into some huge thing. Look, do what you want, but leave me out of it. I need to be as far away from this as possible.”
“What iswrongwith you?” she hissed, her whole body clenching. “You don’t even care? You’re not even going to ask if I’m okay?”
He flinched. Then his jaw tensed. “Because Ican’tcare.”
“Why not?” she snapped back, pain and anger rising in her throat.
He looked at her plainly, dark eyes flashing as he swore under his breath.
“Trevor?” she pressed.
“I’m married.”
The words hit like a punch to the stomach, stealing any breath and sanity she had left. “You’re…” she drew in a ragged breath. “What?”
“I have a wife,” he said, eyes darting around. “In Chicago.”
She stared at him, mouth open. She slammed it closed as bile rose. “Tell me you’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
She gripped the metal armrests. “You have awife?”
He looked away. “Yes. And her family…” He glanced over his shoulder at the coffee shop.
“Funds your franchise,” she guessed, puzzle pieces suddenly falling into place. It wasn’t his family money that kept his business growing. It was hiswife’s.
Meredith tried to breathe, but it felt like her lungs weren’t working. Nothing was working—her brain was locked, her heart was cracking, and she was definitely on the verge of throwing up.
“I can’t believe this,” she managed to say. “You justlied? You told me you were single. You told me you bounced around different cities and could never commit to anyone because you were opening new shops and?—”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” he said quickly. “It wasn’t serious. It was just—it just got away from me, okay? And if you need anything—like money or?—”
“Stop.” She tried to swallow, but nausea choked her. “You’ve degraded me enough. I don’t need anything except assurance that you’ll stay out of my life and as far away from me as humanly possible.”
“I’m, uh, actually out of here at the end of the week. Next store is in Portland and that’s going to be a bear.”
So was this pregnancy, but it was obvious he didn’t care.
“Well, good luck with that.” She stood, and he got to his feet, too.
“Meredith,” he murmured. “You cannot bring my name into this. I’ll give you what you need, but no paperwork, no tests, nothing. Ever. I’m out.”
She flattened him with the most vile look she could muster, grabbed her purse, and took off.
