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“I have a date,” she admitted before he could get the question out.
His lips fell open. “A date?”
The sound of a car pulling up had him turning to see his cousin, Maxwell, step out.
His attention returned to Jamie. “You’re going out with Max?”
“Why shouldn’t I?” she asked.
“Should you be dating … in your condition?”
“Why not?”
“Did you tell him about the baby?”
She shushed him. “I’m going to. Tonight. But it’s none of your business who I date.”
“The heck it isn’t.” His voice was probably louder than she wanted it to be as Max reached them.
“Hey, Duncan,” Max said. “Didn’t expect to see you here.” His eyes turned to Jamie. “Everything okay?”
She nodded. “Duncan was just leaving,” she said as she stepped out of her apartment and locked the door behind her.
Duncan was ready to spit nails, and he was sure it showed.
Max looked from Jamie to Duncan and back. “You ready?”
“Yes.” She silently pleaded with Duncan to let her pass.
He stepped out of the way, and she moved to Max’s side.
Max held his arm out like a gentleman, and she wound her arm through his. “See ya, Duncan.”
It took everything within him not to run after her and stop this whole thing now. His gaze never left Jamie as he moved along the sidewalk to his car. When Max opened the door for her, she smiled up at him, and Duncan wanted to punch his fist through the window. Once inside his car, he glanced over in time to see her laugh, and an ache twisted deep inside.
He knew he had no right to keep her from dating. But he didn’t have to like it.
Chapter 29
This was the most fun Jamie had ever had on a first date. The conversation was easy, Max was funny and sweet, not to mention handsome, and she found herself forgetting she was having a baby with another guy. At least for a little while.
When they returned to her place, he walked her to the door, and the nerves in her stomach kicked up a notch.
“I had a really good time with you, Jamie.”
Max leaned closer on his way to her lips, but the baby popped into her mind, and she turned away at the last second.
“What is it? Was I being too forward?” he asked.
“No, it’s just …” Oh, how she wished she didn’t have to tell him this. Because the moment the words were out, she knew this would be over. “I need to tell you something before this can ever become anything more.”
“Okay.” His eyebrow raised as he waited for her to speak.
“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to.” She took a deep breath and exhaled through her nose. “I’m pregnant.”
He was silent for several beats. “That’s … not what I was expecting you to say.”
“I’m not with the father or anything. I never have been. It wasn’t a relationship. Just one night together.”