Page 94 of Single Dad's Fake Bride
"Maybe you should sleep on the floor tonight."
The words cut through my heart with laser precision. I’d put myself out there and I felt the rejection sting me. I sat up slowly, looking at her, this woman I'd just confessed my love to.
"Sadie—"
"Please." She wouldn't meet my eyes. "I need to think."
I wanted to argue, to push back. But the set of her shoulders told me that pushing would only make things worse.
So I gathered my pillow and a spare blanket from the closet, and I made a bed on the floor.
As I lay there staring at the ceiling, I could hear her breathing above me. It sounded as if she was trying not to cry.
I'd finally told her the truth. And it had never felt more impossible.
26
SADIE
Islipped into the restaurant booth across from Kramer, my shoulders finally releasing tension I hadn't realized I'd been carrying. The dim lighting and steady hum of conversation felt safer than the quiet house where every word might be overheard.
"You look terrible," Kramer said, sliding a glass of water toward me.
"Thanks. That's exactly what I needed to hear."
He grinned, but concern flickered behind his eyes. "What's going on, Sadie?"
I wrapped my hands around the water glass, needing the cool surface to ground me. "Where do I start? The board launched a formal investigation into my employment at the school. They're calling it a conflict of interest review, but we both know what it really is."
"They're trying to discredit Harrison through you."
"Exactly. And it worked. Dr. Sterling terminated my contract earlier this week." The words tasted bitter. "She said they couldn't risk the appearance of impropriety while the investigation continues."
Kramer leaned back, his expression darkening. "That's completely?—"
"Legal. Justified. Reasonable." I took a sip of water, forcing myself to stay calm. "I'm a substitute teacher married to the man who stands to inherit the school. Of course they can fire me."
"What did Harrison say?"
Heat crept up my neck. "That he'll fight it. That he'll make sure I get my job back once the inheritance goes through." I met Kramer's eyes. "But what if it doesn't? What if the board finds a way to invalidate the marriage? What if his sisters succeed with their lawsuit?"
"Then you'll figure it out. You always do."
I shook my head. "This is different. I've never been this… dependent on someone else. My entire life is tied to Harrison now. My income, my housing, Mom's medical care, even Eloise's stability. If this falls apart, I don't have anything that's mine alone anymore."
The server appeared, and we ordered quickly. When she left, Kramer studied me with the patient attention he'd perfected over years of friendship.
"There's more, isn't there?"
My throat tightened. "I'm pregnant."
He blinked once, then leaned forward. "Harrison's?"
"Of course it's Harrison's." I pressed my palms against the table. "We haven't exactly been… careful lately."
"How do you feel about it?"
"Terrified. Confused. This wasn't supposed to happen. We had rules, boundaries. The marriage was supposed to be practical, not…" I trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
