Page 15 of Just One More Affair
He recalled being about to kiss her when she’d blurted out the news. “You definitely did that.”
Her cheeks flushed pink. “Sorry. I wasn’t really thinking, but I didn’t want things to get more complicated between us before you knew about the baby.” She rested her hands on her stomach and a weird sensation settled in his chest.
“Are we complicated?” he asked, rubbing where it felt like heartburn and not an overwhelming rush of emotion. It had to be too soon for that. Right?
“We shouldn’t be. We should be smart about this. Figure out how we want to handle things.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Handle things? As in whether or not to keep the baby?” he asked, unable to keep the accusation from his tone.
He’d only known about the pregnancy for a short time but he was already coming to accept his life was about to go in a whole new direction. And the moment he thought she might take that away, he realized he was okay with the big change that was coming his way. He didn’t want her to make a choice that would rid him of the option of being a parent.
“No, I’m not debating whether or not to keep the baby, although that decision is mine to make. My body, my choice,” she said firmly.
He nodded, relieved. “For the record, I agree. It just wasn’t a direction I wanted you to take.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. And I’m relieved you know. At least I can put that worry to rest.”
“You can,” he said, as he rose to his feet. “Now, can I order lunch and feed you? You’re eating for two.” He grinned and her easy smile lifted the weight that had settled in his stomach during their conversation.
She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m tired. This whole reveal wore me out. I’m going to go back to my hotel and take a nap.”
He really didn’t want her staying at a hotel when he had an apartment right downstairs just waiting for her to say yes. She’d already figured out he’d knocked down the rent, but she didn’t know he and Noah had talked and agreed on a number they thought she might eventually accept. He knew her independence was important to her and now wasn’t the time to push. On anything.
She stood and walked toward him. He held out his arms and she stepped into his embrace. He pulled her against him, resting his chin on her head. She fit right, he thought, aware he was getting ahead of himself. She needed time to adjust to their new reality and the truth was, so did he.
“We’re in this together,” he reassured her, drawing a deep breath and inhaling her arousing, sweet yet sexy, floral scent.
Noah might have been fine being her co-parent, but Jared was going to have a much harder time keeping thingsuncomplicatedbetween them.
***
Jared walked Charlotteto the elevator in his apartment and accompanied her downstairs. He waited until she was safely in an Uber before heading upstairs and texting his brother, Aiden. If there was anyone who could help him process his current situation, it was the sibling he was closest to. Luckily, Aiden was still in town.
His brother suggested they meet up at Remy’s bar, but Jared didn’t want anyone else in the family intruding. He proposed Club Ten29, an upscale nightclub owned by Jason Dare, a cousin of Remy’s partner at The Back Door, Zach Dare. They agreed on the place and time, four p.m.
Jared spent the rest of the afternoon at the office, finding it difficult to concentrate and glad Brooke had taken over this morning’s issue with the stock. His father had dealt with the business news calmly, at least for Alex when he was worked up, and Jared managed to get him to take a step back. He’d be dealing with some low maintenance clients this afternoon. Meanwhile, Jared stared at his computer screen, unable to get any work done, and was grateful when it was time to leave to meet Aiden.
It took him thirty minutes to get downtown by the company car service. He walked inside and took in the décor. He liked the vibe of the club, the glass wall behind the bar lined with liquor bottles and the dim lighting.
His brother sat at a table, a glass of what was probably scotch in his hand.
Jared joined him, finding a glass of liquor waiting for him. “Thanks,” he said, sitting down and taking a much-needed sip.
Aiden, wearing a pair of jeans and a Henley, looked relaxed, unlike how Jared was feeling. “What’s got you so frazzled you wanted to meet in the middle of the workday? Is it the business? Dad?”
“Dad’s fine,” he reassured his brother. “Not so sure about me. I’m going to be a father.”
Aiden burst out laughing. “Good one. Now what’s the real reason we’re here?”
Jared kept his serious face on, pulling his mouth tight before speaking. “I,” he said, gesturing to himself, “am going to be a father.”
“Shit. You’re serious. I didn’t think you had time for sex.”
He shook his head because his brother had a point. “I don’t. It was the night of Fallon’s wedding. Notatthe wedding. After the wedding. Except we might have gone upstairs early.”
“You fucked a bridesmaid?” Aiden asked.
“That’s so cliché. It was Charlotte. Charlie.” Charlotte seemed to be his name for her and his alone.
