Page 161 of Even Exchange

I have a campaign fundraiser in Longwood tomorrow evening. Would appreciate it if you’d come.

What she means is she’d appreciate it if she can show the porcelain persona of a perfect family while people are watching.You need to tell them too.

Groaning, I throw my head against the pillow. Might as well make it a double band-aid rip.

I toss my phone on the other end of the couch and pick up a book. Sophia suggested I try reading to get my mind off things, but I can barely keep my eyes on the page. I’m exhausted from the nights waiting up for Noah, and my mind is a tangled mess pulling me in every direction.

The front door opens, and I perk up to the sight of Noah walking through. He drops his practice duffle and strides my way, a handsome smile on his face.

“Well, hey,honey,”I say, and his smile deepens.

“Hi,soffione.” He beams, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on my lips. “You have a good first week of classes?” he asks, sinking on the other end of the couch and taking my feet in his lap.

“Yeah.” I fold my book with a clap. “It was nice having something to do.”

“I’m sorry I’ve been gone so much,” Noah says, squeezing my foot.

“It’s fine.”It’s not fine.

“I don’t want you feeling lonely,” he says, eyes concerned, thumb stroking my ankle, making it impossible to concentrate. Even when I try to hide my emotions, he reads me like this damn book.

“I’ve always got my fictional boyfriends,” I say, waving the paperback at him.

He grabs my calves, and I yelp as he drags me across the couch, pulling me into his lap. He wraps his arms around me, tugging me against his chest, and I melt into him. It’s the most physical we’ve been in ages and very much needed. He plucks the book from my fingers, tossing it to the other end of the couch. “And what about yourrealboyfriend?”

“Have you seen him?” I ask, glancing around, a teasing grin on my face. “He hasn’t been here much lately.”

“I know.” He sighs, splaying his fingers over my stomach. “I hate being away from you so much.”

A sting pangs my chest. “Baby, I’m kidding,” I say, putting a hand on his face, hoping the pet name will show him how sincere I am. “I know you’re busy.” And I definitely do. “I just miss you when you’re gone.”

I’m trying my best not to be the needy girlfriend who’s carrying another man’s baby, butfuck, it’s hard to be the supportive one when my world is crumbling around me.

“Let’s go out tomorrow night when I’m home from practice,” he says. “A proper date with yourreal-lifeboyfriend.”

“As much as I’d love that…” A weight settles inside me.Rip off the band-aid.“Mom is having a fundraiser in Longwood for her campaign, and I thought I’d use it as an excuse to tell them about the baby.” The heartbeat was confirmed, we know it’s a sweet baby girl, and I’m definitely far enough along now to share the news. “I don’t really want to wait any longer even though I know she’s going to rip my joy away from me.”

“Maybe not,” Noah says optimistically.

“Trust me. Georgia Benson is a politician at her core. All she’ll see are the headlines this could make.”

“Well, whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together.” He squeezes my thigh, his reassurance calming.

I bite my cheek, anxiety creeping up my spine.Double band-aid rip.“I’m also thinking of stopping by Jonathan’s.”

“What?” Noah says, pulling away to look at me.

“He’s in Longwood, and I kinda wanna get it over with.”

“I’ll come with you,” he says quickly.

“You have practice,” I remind him.

“But I don’t like the idea of you going alone.” His voice is firm.

“Noah, I just want to get it over with. I’ll be fine,” I assure him. “Jonathan and I dated for years. I can handle him.”

My voice is calm and collected, but a whirlwind of doubt spirals inside me. I have no idea what to think. What to expect. I definitely don’t want to get back together, but part of me hopes he’ll still want something to do with this baby’s life. Not for me, but for his child.

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