Page 16 of Line Change

The call ends, and I stare at my phone as if it can help me unpack all the things that just happened, all the things Sebastian said or didn’t say. He’s always been the sweetest, most caring guy. A guy who, in any other situation, I would have jumped at dating the first time he asked me. But I couldn’t. As much as I might have wanted to. And as nice and kind as he is, I can’t date him. He’s rich, and I promised myself years ago I’d never fall for a wealthy man.

It’s days like today that I wish my childhood was different. That I wish I had different experiences. I wish I had a father who didn’t use his money to bend people to his will and instead actually loved me. I wish my mother had been around more. I’m jealous of the people who grew up in a loving home, who grew up knowing what a loving relationship looks like.

And I am a little jealous of my friends who have found their own love, something I’ve always longed for but now finding it is even more complicated. I rest my hand on my stomach.

Just you and me for the next eighteen years. You and me, little one.

“Sutton, are you alright?”

I frown, looking up to see Becca hovering in my doorway. “I’m fine, why?”

She tilts her head, studying me before walking into my office and shutting the door behind her. She takes the seat across from me. “I was talking to you, and you didn’t respond, plus you were staring down at your stomach with a weird expression on your face.”

“Oh, sorry. I was really focused.” I gesture to the paper in front of me.

She leans forward, picks up the paper, and turns it around. “It was upside down. Want to tell me what’s going on?”

I fiddle with the ring on my thumb. “Nothing.”

Becca clocks my fidgeting. “Right. Try again.”

I make sure the door is closed before saying, “Fine. But I need you to promise you won’t tell Holt.”

“You know I can’t promise that.”

I pull out my purse and riffle through the pockets. “Here.” I slide a dollar bill toward her. “Can I retain your medical services?”

She glances between me and the money on the desk. “That’s not how it works.”

“Please, Becca.” My voice hitches at the end.

She watches me for a few seconds before pushing the bill back toward me. “Keep your money. I won’t say anything to Holt.”

I stare down at the desk. “I’m pregnant.”

Silence grows between us for a few beats before I can’t take it anymore and look up. She reaches across the desk, takes my hand, and squeezes it gently.

“Want to tell me about it?”

I blink a few times, feeling tears welling. “It was a one-night stand over the holidays. We used a condom.” I sigh. “I don’t know if it broke or if it was expired. I kept meaning to get another birth control shot, but between being sick and work being busy, I never did.” My shoulders sag. “I’m thirty-six, almost thirty-seven. I should have been a responsible adult and gone to get the shot.”

“Did you tell the father?” she asks quietly.

“I don’t know his full name, and he said he was only in town for a few days.”

Becca lets go of my hand, gets to her feet, and rounds my desk. I stand and hug her.

“It’s going to be okay.” She rubs my back, and that’s what makes the tears I’ve been trying to hold back break free.

“I don’t know if it is. I’m going to be a single mother. I don’t know how I’m going to do it.”

“You have us. You won’t be alone. What about your family?”

I shake my head. “Except for my sister, I have no contact with them.”

“I see, and Sebastian, does he …?”

“He knows.” I pull back and meet her eyes. “I blurted it all out to him when he offered to let me stay at his place.” I shake my head, my vision going blurry from the tears.