“You look sick again,” I mutter, rushing to her side.
“I’m not.” She shakes her head, taking a nervous step away from me.
“Georgie, what is it?” I demand, my voice harsher than I intend it to be.
She bites at her lower lip. “We need to talk,” she mutters. “Will you sit with me?”
She takes a seat on the sofa, her hands resting in her lap and her back ramrod-straight. She’s tense. Anxious.
“Yes,” I reply, sitting next to her, but with a space between us, because she clearly needs it.
My body is heightened with tension. My jaw clenches, waiting to hear whatever she as to say.
Maybe she wants to leave, now that the situation is changing. Maybe she’s going to ask if she can go home.
Chapter 22 - Georgie
Kristopher looks ashen with worry as he sits next to me. His hands are resting on his legs, but his fingers are practically digging into his thighs. His jaw muscles are tight and taut as he waits quietly for me to speak. His anxiety is horrible to see. And it’s my fault.
Not wanting to drag out his worry, I get right to the point.
“Obviously, you know that I called Jess and we planned a few things behind your back.” He opens his mouth to speak, but I shake my head. “Let me say everything, then you can say whatever you need to afterwards.” Kristopher presses his lips closed and nods.
“I am sorry for interfering in your business. For meddling. But even as I apologize, you need to understand that I would make the same choice a second time. I don’t regret what I did. Every day I watched you, the pressure and strain you were under, wearing you down, and I hated to see you that way. Especially when you have so many people who care and would help at the drop of a hat. So, I made a choice to go behind your back because…because I am one of the people who care.” My throat goes dry and I pick up the glass of water on the coffee table, taking a quick sip.
Kris is watching me like a hawk, his gray eyes dark and intense.
“You don’t have to apologize, Georgie…”
“Wait. I’m not finished,” I interrupt him, setting the glass down again, my stomach churning with anxiety. Apologizing was the easy part. This is the part I’ve been terrified of and rehearsing over and over again in my mind.
“There is something else I need to tell you.” I take a deep breath.
He narrows his eyes.
“I’m pregnant, Kristopher. It’s the reason I was so sick. The doctor found out when he did blood tests. I asked him not to tell you because I wanted to be the one to tell you.”
My heart is racing a million miles an hour. His expression has shifted from stress to shock. I bite my lower lip. My breathing grows faster when he remains quiet.
I stand up, unable to sit, the nervous energy making me want to explode. “Kris, I don’t expect anything from you. I am choosing to keep my baby, but that doesn’t mean you owe me anything or have to play any part in this pregnancy. You don’t have to take responsibility in any way.” I talk fast, eager to reassure him that this isn’t a tactic to get anything from him.
“Excuse me?” he snaps, his eyes flaring with anger. “You don’t get to decide that.” His voice is low, filled with warning.
“I…I…” I stammer, worried that he’s going to try to force me to give up the baby. “I can do this alone, Kristopher. I assure you, I won’t ask you for anything.” My whole body is burning with anxiety.
“No, Georgie. This isn’t your choice to make. How can you even think that I want that? Why would you even say it?” He stands up, storming over to me and grabbing my arms, his fingers digging into my skin.
“I’m not giving up this baby,” I almost shout, trying to pull free of his grip. I can already feel the rejection stinging inside me. He’s going to tell me to leave his mansion. The fairytale dream is over. It’s all over. I dared to face my own fears,but it was useless. Tears sting my eyes, escaping and rolling down my cheeks.
Kristopher’s eyes flare, his grip loosens, and I manage to pull free. But instantly, he grabs me again, more gently this time. He pulls me into a hug against his chest, confusing me.
“Oh my word,” he blurts out, horrified. “That’s not what I meant at all. Georgie, no. I’m so sorry, that’s not what I was angry about. I was just hurt that you’d ever think that starting a family with you would be a burden or a responsibility.”
“What?” I stammer, still confused. He pulls me away from his chest and looks into my eyes.
His face is lit with a smile that shines in his eyes. “This is a blessing. A baby, with you, it’s the most incredible blessing I could ever ask for,” he says, laughing. The sound rumbles through me, easing away the tension.
“You’re happy?” I ask, knotting my brows.
