But she couldn’t do it. She just slapped the towel down, rolled her pants up, and said, “No. No, I don’t. But you’re getting a bit personal, don’t you think?”
Cheryl handed Damien the printed photos and cleared her throat. “As far as your question, I think you’ll need to discuss any concerns of that nature with your OB/GYN.” Then she looked at Mandy with a smile. “And it’s none of my business, but I think it’s great to see how involved your husband is in your pregnancy. So many fathers aren’t interested at all.”
Mandy felt slapped. Her cheeks went hot and she sat up abruptly. Damien wasn’t her husband. He wasn’t even her baby’s father. And he was far more supportive and interested than the man whose DNA was running through her daughter.
“We’re all done here. Restroom’s the last door on the right. Congratulations on a daughter.” Cheryl left them alone.
Mandy pulled her shirt over her sticky stomach and stood up. She felt shaky, hot.
“Damien—”
“I’m sorry,” he said at the same time.
“No—”
“I’ve completely overstepped. None of this is any of my damn business, and instead of just supporting you, I’m pushing you. Embarrassing you. I’m sorry.” His lips were pursed, his hand clenching the ultrasound printout at his side. In the dim lighting of the room, she couldn’t see his eyes, but she could feel his hurt. Feel him pulling back.
Which she didn’t want.
“No. Don’t be. I’m the one who should apologize. I’m being ungrateful. Here you’ve rearranged your schedule and everything.”
“I don’t want your gratitude.” The words were low, but angry.
Mandy stared at him, forgetting about putting her shoes back on, forgetting about her urgent need to use the restroom. When she looked at him, she saw what she hadn’t been able to admit to herself. She saw what she wanted. Him. With her. In a forever kind of way.
“What do you want?” she whispered.
“I want what I can’t have.” His nostrils flared.
“How do you know you can’t have it?” She was dangling on the edge of offering it. Throwing all rational actions aside and following her heart.
“Because life doesn’t give you what you want, all in one perfect package.” He reached out and handed her the photos. “There are no happy endings for me. I can only take, not give.”
“You’re wrong.” Mandy stepped into her shoes, intent on following him as Damien headed for the door. He had to understand how much he had already given her.
“No. What would be wrong would be to selfishly mix you and your daughter up in the mess that is my life.” He grabbed the door handle and turned to her. “You have no idea how truly fucked up I am, Mandy.”
“Tell me. Trust me.” What she wouldn’t give to take away that pain etched on his face.
“And have you see how ugly I really am on the inside? I don’t think so.”
He walked out of the room.
But Mandy knew right then, right there, that she wasn’t going to let him walk away from her as easily as Ben had.
She loved Damien, and he was going to know it.
Chapter Nineteen
Damien rolled his carry-on bag through the hotel lobby and called his cousin George.
“Hello?”
“George, it’s Damien.” Damien headed toward the elevators, tucking the room key into the pocket of his jeans.
There was a long pause. “Well, I’ll be damned. Aunt Becky always says you’re still alive, but we never believe her anymore.”
Damien grimaced. “I’m still alive. And I’m in Chicago.”
