“I didn’t leave you when I found out about the baby. I know things have been difficult, but I didn’t leave you. I want you to be mine again. Badly.”
Gray’s jaw clenched, and she shook her head. He had never felt so confused in his life.
“Not everything is about you. Nor about your daughter or your daughter’s mother. I don’t know anything about your life now because you’ve made sure I don’t.”
Ciar winced. He was such a selfish piece. “I’m sorry, I just…what did he mean then?”
Gray placed her hands on the table, her face going from red to white. He was afraid she was going to faint. He caught one of the server’s eyes, and they rushed over.
“Could we have some ice water, and,” he touched Gray’s arm, “what would you like to eat, Gray?”
“I’m not?—”
“No,” he stopped her, “you’re very pale. Salad with grilled fish?”
“Sure.”
“We’ll both have whatever salad is your favorite,” he told the server.
“Of course, and here’s Kit with your water. Let us know if you need anything else.” She sent a worried glance Gray’s way, but she left without comment. Who knows what the staff thought about the altercation between him and Cannon.
He placed a glass of water in Gray’s hand and was relieved when she took several sips. “Do you feel like talking, or do you want to wait until after we eat? I don’t want to push, I’m just confused as all hell right now and feeling like you’re keeping something from me.”
That statement brought color back to her cheeks. “That’s rich coming from you. You’ve lied to me since Colorado. Don’t you dare act as though you deserve any of my secrets. You don’t deserve a damn thing from me.”
If words could make a person bleed, he should be close to death. “I want to tell you everything. I’ve wanted to before now.”
“Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath.”
“It’s not a conversation for here.”
“When then?”
He felt the floor open up under his feet, and his guts rushed to his throat. “Gray,” he pleaded. For what? He hadn’t a clue.
“Exactly. I will tell you what Cannon and I were discussing, because I’ve been wanting to tell you for quite some time. After you broke up with me, it’s become difficult. I tried to tell you that night at your house.”
“Our house,” he corrected.
“You’re deluded, Ciar, if you think any woman would be treated the way you’ve treated me and agree to anything.”
The salad’s arrival paused their conversation. The server explained the dish. “This is our house smoked salmon over a bed of fennel salad, caper salsa, and fresh brown bread on the side.”
“Thank you. It looks amazing.” Gray smiled kindly.
“I’ll leave you to it then.”
Alone again, Gray didn’t resume their discussion, contentious as it was. Instead, she slathered butter on a piece of steaming bread.
“Mmm,” she closed her eyes and savored her first bite. “I needed that. I’m starving.”
He barely touched his food, his gaze seldom leaving the woman seated beside him. After twenty minutes had passed, she had eaten just over half her meal but seemed content, setting down her fork and gently blotting her mouth with her napkin. This was the second time in two days that a woman had tortured him with a meal.
He placed his cutlery down so the servers would know they could clear the table, which they did moments later.
“Well, I guess there’s no putting it off anymore.” She watched him with an intensity that made him uneasy. “I’m pregnant.”
Had he been standing, he might have fainted. He heard her, but the words were like a language he couldn’t understand.
