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She blows out a breath and then bites her lower lip.
“Hey, it’s okay. What’s up?”
“Oh, Jesus, this is harder than I thought.”
I narrow my eyes on her. “Polly, I’m going to need you to say what you need to say, please.”
“I’m pregnant.”
I blink rapidly and feel all the blood drain from my face as she stares up at me.
“You’re pregnant?”
“Yeah. I literally just found out this afternoon, and I was on my way out to the ranch to talk to you when the accident happened. I wasn’t keeping it from you, Ryan. I promise.”
“Okay.” I nod and take this in.
“I suspect it happened in Paris,” she continues. “I screwed up the timing of my pill because of the time change, and even missing it by like eight hours appears to be enough for your superhuman sperm to do their thing.”
I shove my hands into my pockets as I watch her face. I can’t tell how she’s feeling.
“Say something,” she finally says.
“How do you feel about this?” I ask her.
“I’m not thrilled,” she admits and then closes her eyes. “And I feel guilty about that. But, Ryan, we’re just starting, and I’m still building a business, and it’s just really bad timing. And by the look on your face, you’re not exactly elated about it.”
“I’m actually really happy,” I reply, “but I need to know what you feel. Let’s get you out of here and home, and then we can talk.”
“Okay.” She licks her lips and nods just as Jake comes strolling in with Chase right behind him.
“Do you need to ask her questions right now?” I ask him, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Or can you talk to her tomorrow?”
“I’m not here for that,” he says, shaking his head. “I’ll do a formal interview tomorrow. I wanted to stop in to make sure Polly’s okay.”
I smile at my brother and then down at the love of my life, lying in that bed.
“I’m going to be okay,” she assures him. “Thank you for stopping by.”
“That’s what brothers do,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “It’s what family does. You call any one of us if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” I tell him. “Will you call the others?”
“Already done,” he says. “They’ll be checking in with you later. I’m headed out on another call. You get better.”
“I’ll do my best,” Polly says with a smile as Chase leaves.
“Did you guys…talk?” Jake asks.
“He knows,” Polly assures him, and Jake offers me his fist for a bump.
“Isn’t it cool? We’re having a baby. I’m gonna be a brother. Sorry that I found out first, but the EMT asked in the ambulance, and I was there. I swore I wouldn’t say anything, though. It’s gonna be totally cool. Did they spring us? Can we go home?”
I lock eyes with Polly, who’s grinning from ear to ear.
She may be conflicted, but it’s clear that she loves Jake and the fact that they shared a secret, even for a little while.
“Yeah, we can go,” I tell him and then turn to Polly. “I’d like to take you to the ranch.”
