Page 103 of Sugar & Shadows

She put her hands on her hips. “I’m pregnant.”

The world around us fell silent. All my muscles contracted as my brain sent wild signals, every synapse firing at random.

Pregnant?

“Pregnant.” She shoved a hand into her purse and yanked out a small piece of paper.

As she thrust it at me, I stared at it. The image was blurry and gray, but it was unmistakably an ultrasound photo.

“That”—she pointed at a small speck in the middle of a strange triangle shape—“is a baby. Inside me.”

I couldn’t look away from it.

“That you and I apparently created.”

“You’re serious.” I lifted my head, gaping. That smudge didn’t remotely resemble a baby. But as I studied again, I sensed that it was significant.

She threw her head back and laughed. “Thrilled you’re finally catching up.”

I brought the image closer to my face, studying it more carefully. “And it’s mine?”

I regretted the words before they came out of my mouth, and when I looked up at her, I was met by a fiery anger I should have expected.

Taking a step back, I nodded. With another look at the photo, the knot in my chest loosened. It was strange, this sensation.

It wasn’t panic or dread or fear.

In fact, it was the complete opposite. But judging by the smoke billowing from her ears, she wasn’t having the same reaction.

“And you’re mad?” I asked, wincing.

Her eyes bored into mine like little daggers. “I’m beyond mad. I’m in a state of rage I didn’t realize I was capable of. My mind is regretting every decision I’ve ever made, including being born in this town and ever speaking to you.”

I dipped my chin. “That tracks.”

She whacked my arm. Not hard, but deliberate.

“Stop agreeing with me.”

“Sorry.” I cringed. “I don’t know how to fight with an irrational pregnant woman. Agreeing with you seemed like the safest choice.”

She tried to hit me again, but I caught her wrist gently and pulled her closer.

Her warmth seeped into me as her chest rose and fell rapidly, and when her eyes met mine, my heart clenched. I had no idea what was happening, but I wanted her close to me, even if it increased the odds of her breaking my nose.

She moved in until our chests were almost touching. Hers in her winter coat, and mine bare after a restless night of sleep on the couch.

I wanted to cup her face. Tuck a wild strand of hair behind her ear.

I was still considering it when she looked down and groaned.

“Are you fucking serious?” she shouted. “Do you have an erection right now?”

Oh. I followed her line of sight, and sure enough, there was a very distinctive tent in my pants.

“Yes,” I admitted sheepishly.

“What is wrong with you?”