Page 84 of Man Seeking Woman

Chapter Twenty

Ella

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Ifeel different.

When the sun crept through the window, tickling its long fingers across my forehead and over my eyes, I knew something had changed.

It wasn't just that August had somehow taken a small piece of my heart, it was that I now needed him. I needed this life with him. I needed to share everything, feel that love side by side, not apart, not on different planes, but together as one.

That's not it. Something else is different. . .

Opening my eyes, I stared up at the ceiling. This weighted feeling sat on my chest, holding me still. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move, I couldn't feel. I was numb from top to bottom.

I'm pregnant.

I just knew it without having to take a test or go to the doctor. It had been almost two months since August and I had started doing this dance. We had sex all the time, as often as we could and without using any protection.

Not once had I felt like this. My boobs were super tender and seemed heavier than usual. I wanted to cry instantly when I opened my eyes for no real reason at all. It was just this urge that rested in my chest and bubbled in the back of my sockets.

Peeking down at my breasts, my nipples appeared larger and more red. Touching my chest, I pressed down around the edges, massaging the ache.

This is it, this is what you've been trying for.

August had already left work, giving me his ritual kiss on the forehead before heading out. It was something I had grown accustomed to, his tender lips waking me briefly to say goodbye and tell me to have a nice day.

We had fallen prey to this life, to acting like a couple, to pretending like we were more than just two people who had an arrangement. I found myself having to give reminders to my reflection in the mirror, because I could feel myself actually entwining my feelings around August Burke.

I couldn't let myself become attached, it wouldn't do either of us any good if we strayed away from the agreement and found ourselves in a place neither of us belonged.

My phone jingled on the nightstand, making me sit up on my elbow to see who it was. Kayla had sent me a few pictures of the new heels she had picked up the day before.

'I don't think I'll be wearing those anytime soon.'Hitting send, I texted her back.

'Why?'She asked, adding an emoji face with a monocle.