Page 21 of Before You Go
“Fran—”
“I’m pregnant,” she cuts me off, then lifts her wide eyes to mine. “Oh… God.”
“Pardon?” I ask, sure I misheard her.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to just blurt it out like that. I’ve just been so scared to tell you, and I know that we don’t really know each other.” She lifts her hands toward me. “I’m not trying to trap you. I promise I’m totally okay with you not being involved… or being involved. It’s up to you. Totally up to you. I just wanted you to know because?—”
“It’s not mine.” The statement sounds harsh to my own ears, and her lips part.
“What?”
“It’s not mine,” I say a little more calmly.
“It is, Dayton. I wouldn’t lie about something like this.” The conviction in her tone gives me pause, but I carry on.
“I had a vasectomy years ago, Francisca, so I know for certain that I’m not the father. You need to figure out who else you were with.”
“You had a vasectomy?” Her brows drag together.
“Yes.”
“Why?” Her eyes wander over my face, and I know what she sees—a man in his prime, likely around the age where he’d start looking for a partner to settle down and start a family with.
But that man is not me.
“Because I don’t want children.” The statement echoes through the room before sliding into place between us like a brick wall.
“Oh.” She swallows, dropping her gaze from mine.
“Fran—”
“You know what?” she interrupts as she pushes up to stand, her movements jerky. “You’re probably right. I probably just got my dates all messed up. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Fran—” I move to my feet as she stumbles on the way to the door.
“I’m sorry for bothering you.”
“Francisca.”
“Just forget I was here.” She rushes out of my office, leaving me staring at the empty doorway.
What the fuck?
Rubbing my hands down my face, I attempt to dissect the emotions running rampant through my system. But I can’t. There are too many.
“Is everything okay?” Dropping my hands from my face, I look at Jamie.
“Everything’s fine.” I move to my desk and start gathering all my things.
“Are you leaving?” she asks, coming too fucking close.
“Yes, you can leave early, too, if you don’t have anything to do.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? That sounded pretty intense.” Did she overhear that conversation? My head comes up, and my eyes lock on hers. She must see something in my gaze because she looks away. “Sorry.”
“Goodnight, Jamie.” Stepping around her, I leave her in my office and head down the hall and out the front door of the building. As I’m starting the engine of my SUV a few minutes later, my cell starts to ring, and Billy’s name pops up on the screen.
Cricking my neck, I press accept on the call. “Billy.”
