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a couple days ago shimmered across the surface of her mind, reminding her of the way he’d watched her intently, his eyes occasionally dipping down to her cleavage, but mostly holding her gaze. She’d felt admired, wanted, and that was a feeling she couldn’t help craving more of, because the truth was that she wanted and admired him too.
    Her hopes for any sort of romantic relationship were likely to be crushed within the hour – she’d been reminding herself of that fact all day. And if that happened, she’d take it in stride. Hell, it wasn’t like she could expect him to fall down on one knee and propose to her in a fit of guilt. But she did hope, very seriously, that he’d agree to be a part of the twins’ lives.
    That would just have to be enough. She’d be a mother in a few months – it was time to face the music and start putting her desires second. After all, she’d gotten herself into this situation.
    Seeing the ultrasound images of the twins she was carrying had had a strange effect; it was as if a string had been run between her heart and the barely-noticeable swell of her belly. Whenever she thought about them, she felt this tiny tightening in her chest, and she knew she’d do anything to make sure they didn’t suffer the effects of her lapse in judgment if she could help it… It wasn’t their fault she’d been irresponsible.
    A knock sounded at her apartment door, perfectly on time.
    She answered promptly, inviting Sam to step inside. This was why she’d agreed to let him pick her up – it would be better to break the news in the privacy of her apartment rather than at a restaurant. He might not be interested in going out after he heard what she had to say, and she had leftovers in the fridge, just in case.
    “You look nice,” she offered as she pulled the door shut. She didn’t sound like herself, not even to her own ears.
    “So do you.” He didn’t smile, but his gaze swept over her from head to toe, lingering on every curve, and her body temperature seemed to rise by a few degrees.
    The heat was tantalizing, but it hurt to see a combination of desire and wariness displayed so obviously on his face. She must’ve put him on edge with what she’d said when they’d spoken on the phone. Did he have any idea what she was about to confess?
    “You said you had something to tell me.” He still stood close to the door.
    She nodded and gestured toward the small dining table in the nearby kitchenette. “You might want to sit down.”
    His expression didn’t change as he took a seat, settling straight-backed into one of the chairs while she lowered herself into the one opposite of him. “That night we spent together this past summer… I got pregnant.”
    Her heart rate rocketed in the wake of her confession, and she could actually hear her pulse, an ominous pounding that rang in her ears. Sitting there with her hands clasped together so they wouldn’t shake, she felt just like she had when she’d been waiting for the results of her pregnancy test – so nervous it was utterly exhausting just to sit there, waiting for an answer.
    The change in his face reminded her of that life-altering occasion, too – his expression darkened, as if a storm cloud had gathered above his head.
    “Are you still pregnant?”
    His question took her by surprise. “Yes. That’s what I needed to tell you. I’m two and a half months along.” She raised one unsteady fist and uncurled her fingers, revealing the strip of ultrasound photos she’d brought home from her appointment. The paper was faintly damp, thanks to her sweaty palm.
    He barely paused before reaching out, his fingertips brushing hers and sending unavoidable heat racing through her as he took the images.
    He studied them for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only one long minute. “You’re sure it happened when we were together?”
    “My due date is April 21 st – my doctor confirmed that. It lines up with when we were