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“Grant told me Jonathan had been at the conference, but I didn’t think he would come here. He said Grant gave him my address, but I doubt that very much.” She was pacing.
“Can I ask what he wanted?”
“Let me get you a drink and I will enlighten you,” Autumn said as she grabbed another glass from the kitchen.
I sat and took a gulp of the wine.
“He said he needed to see me because I could help him. I thought he might be sick, but no. I got the impression his engagement was off, but no again. After a little chat, I worked out he wanted sex while he was here and then for me to be his bit on the side in London when I went back to the UK.”
I had to give the man credit for being the biggest dickhead around. Did he really think she would go for that?
“You know, you’re really sexy when you’re mad.”
“I can’t believe it. He actually thought I would be okay with his suggestion.”
I put my glass down and went over and stood in front of her with my arms open. “Is it safe to ask for a hug?”
“Yes. In fact, it’s what I need right now.”
Autumn held on tight, and I enjoyed the closeness while it lasted. My chat about Chris was still to come.
She moved away, took a big drink, and sat on the couch. “So, how did your evening go?”
“I went to see the person who’s been sending me the text messages. Her name is Chris. I knew her from a one-night stand a while back.” I emptied my glass. “She’s pregnant.”
Autumn stared into her glass. Somehow, I did not think she was surprised.
“I have to admit, I saw a message on your phone before I brought it over this morning. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be nosy.”
“Sneaky. Well, I met her at a local hotel, and she was freaking out. She’d lost her job and has nowhere to live and very little money.”
“And you’re the father?”
“She believed that, but I told her it was impossible. When I was younger, I had a bike-riding accident. The trauma meant I can’t have kids. They said there is some sort of nerve damage or tubes ripped or something.”
“I didn’t see it in your medical history—I’m sorry. That was so wrong of me to say that. I just went into doctor mode.”
“It’s not there because I didn’t have my records sent from Victoria. They kept sending me emails to sign it off, but I ignored them.”
“Can I ask why?”
“When I left home, being sterile was the final kick in the gut.” I took a deep breath, finding it hard to get the words out. “I need something stronger than this wine.”
Autumn went and poured me a brandy.
I took a gulp and let the liquid burn the back of my throat. I had not talked about this to anyone for years. “I was young when it happened. Time went by and I forgot things. It wasn’t important and I didn’t want kids. Then I met a girl, the one I mentioned before. I was twenty-one and thought the world was okay. Six months later, we got engaged. I had a job offer to go away for three months. When I got back, she was eight weeks pregnant. Obviously, I knew it wasn’t mine.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It gets better. It was my best friend’s.”
“I can fully understand leaving. I would have done the same.”
I put down my drink and motioned for her to come across to me. I wanted her on my lap.
Autumn straddled me and put her arms around my neck.
I promised myself as I kissed her that I would be upfront about everything from now on. So, I had told a lie about the bike accident, but the outcome was the same. I could not have kids.
