Chapter 14: Chapter 14

REECE

A brief surge of excitement washed over me when I saw Etta standing in our lobby. However, her unexpected visit concerned me, as it usually meant something was wrong.

I certainly didn’t expect her to tell me she was pregnant.

I’m not a shallow person, but it stung knowing the child she was carrying wasn’t mine. Yet, I also understood that if I wanted to be with her, this child was a part of her and wasn’t negotiable.

I found myself sitting there, trying to comfort her. Honestly, I didn’t know what to do, so I asked her to dinner.

Surprisingly, she agreed.

“Everything is going to be okay,” I assured her.

“I’m sorry I’m unloading all this on you,” she replied.

“Don’t apologize. As I said, I’m here for you.”

She sniffled and lifted her head. The sadness in her eyes made me want to hold her and protect her from everything.

“Go back to Wren’s and get some rest. I’ll be over to pick you up for dinner around six o’clock, okay?”

“I’m not staying at Wren’s. I got a hotel. I offered Sterling the guest room.”

“Do you have my number?” I asked.

She shook her head no.

~How have we not exchanged numbers yet?~

“Can I have your phone? I’ll put my number in.”

She handed me her phone. After I put my number in, I smiled at her and handed it back. She looked at the contact and laughed.

“Really? The Hot One.”

“It’s true; you think I’m hot.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said with a laugh.

“Just stating facts.” Etta was now laughing instead of crying, and I was happy I could be the one to do that.

It probably would be embarrassing if I admitted to this in public, but hearing her laugh made the butterflies dance in my stomach.

“So, I’ll pick you up around six. Go back to the hotel, rest, and pack your things because you’re not staying there. You’ll be staying in my guest room.”

Her lips turned down into a frown.

“Why?”

“I don’t feel comfortable with you staying in a hotel by yourself. The guest room has its own bathroom, so you won’t have to worry about not having privacy.”

“Do I have a choice?” she asked.

“Nope.”

“Fine,” she huffed out.

***

After Etta left, I found it hard to concentrate on my work—mainly because we had started texting each other.

It began with her texting me the name of the hotel before she left so I wouldn’t forget it. That led to us sending flirty texts back and forth.

By the time I left work, I was grinning like a madman. I was excited about taking Etta on a date, and I hoped this was one of many.

The pregnancy was a bump in the road, but it wouldn’t scare me away. I would embrace it and support her. I always wanted children, and this child was a part of Etta.

~If I want Etta, then I want this child.~

Wren was mad at both of us, but I knew he would get over it. He would eventually find something else to occupy his anger—or he would realize that I really did want Etta.

The only one that scared me was Winston. He was okay with me pursuing Etta, so Wren being mad at me didn’t make me feel as guilty.

As I got closer to her hotel, I started to feel nervous. I wasn’t nervous about being with her or about her living with me.

I was nervous about screwing this up. I knew the hotel that she was staying at. I passed by it on my way to work, and it wasn’t the best.

The doors to the room were outdoor access, and it made me angry her brothers allowed her to stay here. But I also knew she was stubborn and probably argued.

~It’s hard to say no to Etta.~

Etta’s room was on the first floor, so I parked next to her car and noticed it was packed, which surprised me. I expected her to be vocal about not wanting to be a burden.

I quickly walked up to her hotel door and knocked. She answered almost immediately.

Even though she was only wearing a shirt and a pair of black jeans, she looked beautiful.

“I hope this is okay. I don’t have much with me,” she said.

“You look perfect, and the place we are going is semi-casual,” I replied.

“Please tell me you’re taking me to a place where I can get some butter biscuits,” she said. “I’ve been dealing with this craving all day.”

“I’ll make sure you get some butter biscuits,” I promised.

***

Everything with Etta was easy. Being around her, liking her, talking to her—it was all easy. There was something about her that drew you in.

Once we were at the restaurant and placed our orders, the conversation started to flow.

“Are you excited about your new position?” I asked.

“I am,” she replied. “The people seem nice. I’m just a bit nervous to tell them I’ll need maternity leave not long after starting.”

“I don’t think you’ll have an issue,” I reassured her. “There are laws that protect you.”

“I know,” she said. “I feel bad, though. Can I ask you a question?”

“You can ask me anything,” I responded honestly.

“What are you getting out of this?”

“What do you mean?” I knew what she meant, but I wanted her to clarify it.

“What’s in it for you? Why do you want to be with me?”

“I’ve always wanted you,” I confessed. “But the age difference and the timing were never right.”

“And the timing is perfect now, with me being pregnant with someone else’s child?”

“You’re single; I’m single. I like you, and I think you like me, so yeah, it’s the right time.”

“And the pregnancy doesn’t bother you?”

“No,” I said firmly. “I’ve always wanted children, and this child is a part of you. Anything that’s a part of you is something I’m going to cherish.”