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I shook my head. “No. It’s… not a good time.”

“Well, even if you didn’t want anything serious, I’d consider it.”

He ran his hand up my knee. It took every bit of me not to drive to a secluded spot and suggest we go at it in the back. Fucking him was too good and my level of sexual frustration remained unmatched.

“You don’t want to fuck me.” I dropped my gaze.

He pulled my chin toward his. “It’s never been a problem before, Chloe.”

My nostrils flared as I fought the urge to kiss him. And as he leaned in, I couldn’t fight it anymore. Our lips met. He cupped my face in his hands gently. I grabbed his collar, pulling him tighter. I soaked up his smell and the way he always felt so safe. I missed kissing someone who I trusted this much.

Cole pulled back. “I mean it. I’d take whatever you’d be willing to give me. Maybe you’re too busy now and we’re both traveling, but… if you were willing to give me even a bit of your scraps, I’d desperately settle.”

“I want to,” I pulled my hands back and accidentally sat my left palm atop my growing bump.

“But you’re seeing that Aussie dickhead?”

I snickered. “Cole, I’m not seeing Dodge. He’s not my type.”

“Why’s that? He’s too short?”

“Yeah, a little, but I’m just not in a dating headspace.”

“I don't care.”

I couldn't fight it anymore. It was unfair. I needed to tell him now. I needed to tell him everything.

The dam burst and I blurted, “Cole, I’m pregnant. So, you aren’t going to want to fuck me.”

Cole recoiled in confusion, settling his hands in his lap and staring at the ice cream shop.

“I’m… sorry,” I said. “I just wasn’t comfortable telling you until I knew the pregnancy was viable and all of that.”

“So, you went through with it?”

I cocked my head. How does he know?

“I mean, you went through with the insemination? Last time, you said you were considering it. So, you went through with it?”

I paused. It's an out. He really cannot believe it's his!

Given that he didn't even pause before assuming I'd been inseminated in a doctor's office rather than conceived a baby after a careless night, I knew he didn't want this. So, as much as it hurt my heart, I’d maintain the ruse and spare him. The idea that someday he would come around left my memory. I wanted him to want this, but that possibility slipped through my fingers. Despite my knowledge that it was always better to tell the truth, I let Cole believe this theory.

“Yeah. And so… I’m pregnant,” I lied. “I was like… really not wanting to talk about it with you before. And you had a lot of opinions, which I get, but like that cat was already kind of out of the bag when we talked.”

“Oh, shit. Chloe, I really am so sorry. This is good news. I’m happy for you.”

His smile churned my stomach. You’re happy for me as long as it’s not yours.

“Thanks,” I fought tears.

“When are you due?”

“End of June,” I answered, praying somehow he would do the math and realize the possibility that it happened on the couch that night.

Cole paused and I thought he might put it all together. Then, as my heart sat in my throat, he took my hand.

Voice earnest, he said, “Well, I guess you were probably pregnant when we talked then? Oof. You didn’t have to lie to me.”