Chapter 20

Zoe paced the room. Too many things were happening at once. Gael was not going to be pleased with what she was about to tell him; her nervousness caused her stomach to quiver so much that she felt she would hurl. How was she to tell him this?

“He loved me, right?” she whispered. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given me this ring, right?” her mind was in a tizzy.

She picked up the phone and stared at the face. Should she speak with Florine about this? No. She’d have to handle it on her own. She got herself into this mess; she should be the one to get out. Moreover, she was sure Florine would bust a vein as well. Not only was she risking everything, she wasn’t sure how she’d handle the situation.

She was still pacing when Gael knocked the door. She knew it was him before he even said her name. Wringing her hands together, she wobbled to open it. His face was serious as if he had something on his mind. When he entered, she closed the door.

“We need to talk,” was what he said, and her heart flew to her mouth.

“I need to talk to you too,” she replied, taking in a quivering breath.

“You go first,” he said, and she was thankful because she knew she wouldn’t be able to wait much longer.

“I have been …” she swallowed hard and walked to the bed where she sat. A second later, she rose and started pacing again.

“What’s going on?” Gael questioned, his concern evident.

“I—I—I’ve been keeping something from you for a couple of weeks now.”

“I don’t know how to tell you this.” She wrung her hands together and closed her eyes.

“Just say, damn and stop with the suspense already!” His voice lifted with his impatience.

“I’m pregnant.”

“What?”

“I’m pregnant!”

Gael let out a breath and sat on the bed. “Is that what you’ve been working yourself up over?” he asked.

“But you said you didn’t want kids,” she replied. “Just before we broke up …”

“We didn’t break up, you took a break, not me,” he argued.

“That’s … well … you said …” her voice trailed off when he reached for her hand and pulled her to sit in his lap.

“Is this why you’ve been so emotional?”

“No … maybe,” she partly denied.

“I didn’t say I never wanted kids. I said I wasn’t sure I wanted kids,” he said. “There’s a difference.”

“So you’re not mad at me?”

“I should be, given that you were planning on running away with my child. How long have you known?”

“Three weeks,” she admitted.

“You broke up with me a week ago!” he exclaimed. “Why did you break it off if you knew you were pregnant?”

“I didn’t want you feeling like you were obligated to do anything for us. I saw you in the restaurant, and I lost it.”

With a gentle hand he gripped her chin and nudged, encouraging her to turn her face to him. “You were jealous,” he murmured, lowering his head.

“No, I wasn’t,” she whispered against his lips. “But …”

He raised his head, narrowing his eyes. ”What?”

“Why’d you propose to me?”

When he said nothing, she rose to her feet. At least he wasn’t upset about the pregnancy. She wasn’t sure what he was feeling. They were getting married, and that should be enough, she knew that. Nevertheless, she felt that something was missing.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, pulling her back down.

“Nothing,’ she lied, trying to hide the fact that she wasn’t as happy as she wanted to be.

“Don’t you want the baby?” he asked, raising one brow.

She kept her eyes forward. “Of course. Do you?’

“Yes, I’m happy.”

“You don’t look happy,” she observed. “What did you want to tell me?”

“Oh. My father made me realize something. You were perhaps expecting a better proposal, right?”

“Well, girls are … it doesn’t matter …”

“You matter. I know I can’t take back the proposal, and it makes no sense trying to surprise you now …”

“I was surprised … really,’ she chimed in. “I love the ring too.”

“But?”

“But nothing, the ring is nice.”

“I guess I didn’t tell you I loved you, and that’s why you’re depressed?’

“Yes …” she said, then realized what she said and corrected herself. “No!”

“So what if I tell you I love you?”

“Stop playing ga—”

“I love you Zoe Archer.”

She craned her neck to look into his eyes. It was dangerous looking into Gael Matheson’s eyes; she learned that a while back. They still pulled her into their oceanic depths, hypnotizing her.

“I love you, Gael Matheson,” her voice was thick with the emotions swirling around inside her. “I love you.”

“I love you,” he repeated, cupping her face and bridging the gap between their lips. “I love you,” he whispered one last time before their lips sealed in a tender kiss.

*** THE END ***

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