Page 25 of Solid Ground

Two days later,I get the text with a location, date, and time to meet Zoe.

I make sure I get there early, order coffee, and find the most discreet table I can see. It’s a booth in the corner—the table hidden from the large windows down the side of the coffee shop.

My jaw tics as I try and maintain my cool, watching the entrance to the cafe like a hawk.

I have no doubt what this is about.

Zoe knew that we weren’t a long-term thing—hell, we weren’t even a short-term thing. I haven’t exchanged numberswith anyone in a long time, but there was a connection there. Even if we’d only intended for it to be a one-night stand.

And even though I can guess what’s coming, I still catch my breath when Zoe appears in the doorway. She’s so effortlessly beautiful, even dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt, her clutch slung over her arm. Her gaze scans the cafe, and as soon as her eyes meet mine, she gives a slight nod and walks toward my table. She’s not timid in her approach, and by the time those long legs wrapped in denim make their way to me, I’m hard as a rock.

“Zoe. It’s good to see you.”

She smiles, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. I’ve seen enough smiles like that to know it’s for show. My stomach sinks as it becomes clear she wants to meet in public for a reason. My suspicion’s confirmed.

“You too. Thank you for coming.” Zoe sinks into the seat opposite. She chews her bottom lip, and it’s endearing. It brings a smirk to my face to think of how good it felt to have those luscious lips wrapped around my cock. She was beautiful that night, but sitting here all fresh-faced and looking innocent, she’s gorgeous.

I’d never seriously planned for it, but would she be up for round two?

“I remembered how you took your coffee in Vegas. White, one sugar.”

She nods. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Just as she sits, the waitress approaches and delivers the coffee.

Zoe flashes her a smile, and I nod.

“Thank you,” I say as she places the cups in front of us.

Zoe waits a moment, fisting her hands and flexing them. “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to come out with it.” Her brows knit as she gazes at me. “I’m pregnant.”

Shit.

Here we go. Again.

The thing that comes with fame is that people will come out of the woodwork from all over the place to make claims on you. I’m not sure why, but I’d thought she was different. “Okay.”

“You’re the only guy I’ve slept with in the past six months, so …” She scratches her nails against the tablecloth, and it’s all kinds of distracting.

“What is it you’re after, Zoe? Money? I’m not interested in a family. And I’ll want a DNA test.”

Her eyes widen. “I think you misunderstand. I’m not asking you for anything. I don’t need it. I thought I should tell you because the last thing I need is some shitty tabloid somehow finding out the paternity of my baby and catching you by surprise.”

I think my dick shrivels up and dies. “Oh.”

She gives me a strained smile. “I mean, I’ll add you to the birth certificate if you want, and I’d never deny you being a part of your child’s life. But I’m not here for anything—I just wanted you to know.”

My heart’s in my throat. This isn’t how I’d thought this conversation would go at all.

Zoe picks up her coffee and takes a sip, closing her eyes and letting out a moan that would make the dead stand up and take notice. It ripples through my body and my cock,which was trying to hide after she told me she didn’t need me, is paying attention.

For years, I never wanted commitment.

Now I’m not wanted, I want more.

What fresh hell is this?

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