Page 29 of Dirty Legacy

The dread thickens and spreads. “Not that I recall.”

“I want you to know that I’m not doing this to punish you… and I don’t even know what I want, if anything at all… but I thought you needed to know.”

“Know what, angel?” I say quietly, but I already feel it. I saw it the second she walked through those doors. I felt it in my heart.

“Connor, I’m pregnant, and you’re the father.”

8

ANGIE

I’ve never been more nervous in my entire life.

The Third Rail is a fancy coffee place in a good neighborhood. Ladies in yoga pants walk their fluffy white dogs and linger in the parks in a place like this. No homeless guys stand on the corner shouting about Jesus and begging for change. It’s not like home at all, and I feel awkward and out of place when I step foot inside. It smells like chocolate and flowers, which I like, and I chew on my thumbnail as I look around for Connor.

I physically flinch when I see him sitting alone at a table in the back. I didn’t expect him to be here already.

It takes some effort to keep my jaw from dropping open when he stands to greet me. He’s wearing a dark designer suit and looks fantastic. It hugs his impressive frame, emphasizing his athletic, muscular chest and his incredible arms. The man looks like a model and it kills me, seeing him like this, but I have to keep remembering why I’m here.

This isn’t going to be fun.

I awkwardly offer him a hand, trying to treat him like my boss and not like the guy who fucked me into sweet oblivion and left a gift/curse behind, but he leans in to kiss my cheek instead. A tingle runs down my spine at the feeling of him.

“How was getting here?” he asks as I drop down into my seat, already knocked so off-guard I can barely think.

“Uh, no problem, I took an Uber.”

“I’ll reimburse you.”

Panic slides into my core. Am I seriously already taking from him? “No, no, that’s totally fine. Is this for me?” I stupidly grab the cup and drink—only to find my exact normal order. It’s so familiar and helps to ground me, and I smile despite myself. “It’s really good.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“How’d you know I took my coffee like this? Actually, never mind, doesn’t matter.” The nerves return and I have to steady myself. “I should just say it, you know? I need to spit it out and get it out in the air before my head explodes.”

“Say what, Angelina?”

His face is blank like he’s already bored of me. What the hell am I doing here? Connor Maguire’s a successful, powerful man. He’s attractive, intelligent, driven, everything I’m not. This man doesn’t want anything to do with me and this baby growing inside of me.

But no, I’m not going to back down. I’m not going to be a coward. Because I’m not here for me. My life isn’t my own anymore.

I’m here for my child.

I fold my hands and straighten my back, lifting my chin.

“We slept together. A few weeks ago. You remember, right?”

His mouth twitches. I think he’s frustrated. “That’s not something I’d forget.”

“Right. Good. And we didn’t… you know… use protection.”

“Not that I recall.”

“I want you to know that I’m not doing this to punish you… and I don’t even know what I want, if anything at all… but I thought you needed to know.”

“Know what, angel?” he whispers, and it’s that nickname again. It sends my stomach into a chaotic mess, twisting and churning, and I have to say it before I lose my nerve.

“Connor, I’m pregnant, and you’re the father.”