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“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her eyes dart to the side as I drop my hand from her face. “Let’s just say that apparently you do know me better than I know myself. My taste in men is horrible.”

Hearing her repeat my words from long ago makes her pain that much more palpable. I reach up and adjust my hat. “Look, I know in the past I’ve made my feelings clear about your boyfriends, but the truth is, any man who can’t see how incredible you are doesn’t deserve you, Lennon. Period. That’s why I’ve said what I’ve said.”

She huffs out a laugh. “Well, apparently being pregnant with a man’s baby isn’t enough of a reason for him to stick around either.” She slaps a hand to her mouth as soon as the words are out. “Um, I mean…”

I drop my head closer to hers, my eyes locked on her brown ones. “You’re pregnant?” A tear slips down her cheek as she nods, her eyes still focused on mine. “Fuck, Lennon…”

“It’s fine.” Taking a step back from me, she pushes her hair from her face. “I can handle this. It’s just a curveball.”

My stomach drops straight to the floor.

Lennon is pregnant and the asshole doesn’t want her or the baby?

The anger simmering inside of me reaches a boiling point almost immediately. But I keep my eyes focused on her face to help me stay grounded instead of breaking out into a full-blown rage. My voice is low and slow, as calm as I can keep it. “This isn’t just a curveball, Lennon. This is a child. A baby…”

“Wow. Thank you for clarifying that.” She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but I might have to pause the nursing program, get a job—"

“What’s his name?” I ask, cutting her off. I pinch the bridge of my nose, rage filling my gut at the thought of some piece of shit dumping all this responsibility on her.

“No. I’m not going there.” She places her hand over her stomach. “He doesn’t want to be a part of our lives, and honestly, it’s probably better this way. I just need to figure out what I’m going to do about school and health insurance. Doctor’s appointments and the delivery are expensive, and…”

“Lennon?”

The soft voice pulls our attention to the end of the hall, where Lennon’s younger sister Nora stands watching us.

“Hey, Nora,” I say, but Nora’s eyes stay pinned on her sister.

“Are you really pregnant?” Nora asks in a shaky voice.

Fuck.

This is why you shouldn’t have conversations like this in public.

Lennon covers her face with her hands as she gathers herself. When she meets Nora’s eyes again, I can sense the strength she’s trying to project. “Yes, but please don’t say anything to Mom and Dad yet. I…I just found out and—”

Nora races over to Lennon, enveloping her in a hug. “It’s going to be okay. You know that, right?”

Lennon chokes back a sob as she holds on to her sister, making me feel like I’m intruding on their moment. But honestly, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the news.

“What do you need?” Nora rests her hands on Lennon’s shoulders when they part, peering up at her.

“I don’t know,” Lennon breathes out. “Right now? I really just need some food.”

“Then let’s get you food.” Nora turns to me. “I’ve got it from here, Easton.”

My eyes meet Lennon’s. “We’re not done talking.”

“Yes, we are,” Lennon replies, taking her sister’s hand in hers.

I want to reach out to her and not let her out of my sight. Instead, I shove my hands in the pockets of my jeans.

Nora pulls Lennon toward the main part of the restaurant, leaving me standing in the hallway alone as a million feelings slam into me.

Anger. Sadness. And regret.

The regret hits the hardest.