Page 16 of Small Town Beast 2: Saverin's Duet

“Could you turn around?”

“Sure,” he grinned. He stood up and gave her his back.

Tanya fumbled with her pants, the toilet, and the stick. “Is this the craziest night ever, or what?”

“It’s up there,” Saverin agreed. “Wow, even your pee sounds cute.”

“Shut up.”

Tanya tried not to get pee all over her hands. “Was I supposed to pee into a cup and then dip it?”

“Would it make a difference?”

“Probably not. Okay, that’s all I got.”

Saverin ran a hand through his hair. “What does it say?”

“We have to wait five minutes. I need to wash my hands.”

“Breathe, Tanya.”

“Youbreathe.”

Tanya set the test stick down on the cleanest part of the sink and washed her hands. Then they waited, staring at each other.

Back in the living room,Gwen had put on some Shania Twain and was singing along at the top of her voice. The stumpy-tail dog barked outside. A truck backfired in the distance. But the world had shrunk to the tiny bathroom and the space between Tanya and the man who had brought her here.

If I have his baby, what will that mean for Amari? Less time to look for Amari. Less focus on Amari. I already have a son, I don’t need another one.

And yet, a strong part of her wanted this baby with Saverin. Something joyful could come out of all the hurt. He had rough edges, but he was a protector and a provider, and any child of his would enjoy his unconditional love. He would take care of their family as sure as the sun would rise. He’d shot her ex-boyfriend and stalker dead without hesitation. He had literally saved herlife. He was bad as hell, and that meant something to a girl who had to fight every battle by herself. She had never met anybody like him. Kind, strong, funny, stubborn.

It’s almost too good to be true.Tanya knew that the hesitation in her heart when it came to Saverin, and her denial of the lottery ticket both came from the same place. She’d gone through a lot. Some things nobody should ever have to go through. Things she wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy. So how could so many blessings come from just a turn of the wheel? It was impossible.

What was he thinking? She had no idea. His green eyes looked like liquid gold in the soft yellow light. He was staring at her intensely.

“What?”

“Aw, nothing.” He cleared his throat. “Nothing.”

He took her by the waist and kissed her.

“Baby,” she whispered as he moved his lips down to her neck. “It’s time; I got to check it.”

“I want twins,” he said.

“Hush, let me check it.” She stepped back and raised the stick. They both stared at it.

“What does that mean, Tanya?”

“Not pregnant,” Tanya stammered.

Saverin put both hands on his head. His eyes shuttered.

Tanya exhaled a long, slow breath.

“You disappointed?” he asked hoarsely, watching her.

“I don’t know what I am,” she confessed. “Oh my God. Okay, Saverin. Okay.”

---