Hush (Just This Once 1)

“This arrangement?” I question with a raised brow.

“I want to be there for you and the baby, Chloe.” He blows out an exasperated breath. “I’ll help you with any medical costs and I’ll make sure that the baby is taken care of.”

I’m grateful for that. I earn a good living but I didn’t realize how much stuff I’ll need to welcome my newborn home. I started adding it all up yesterday and I had to close the calculator app on my phone because of anxiety.

“I appreciate that.” I swallow hard. “But it’s so early. We don’t have to get into all of that yet. I haven’t even gotten through the first trimester yet.”

“My lawyer says it’s never too early to get a plan in place.”

“You have a lawyer?”

He nods. “He’s technically a friend. He practices family law so I thought I’d check in with him. I don’t know the first thing about two people who just met having a baby together.”

His words sting. We may not know each other very well, but I’ve started to feel a strong connection with him. I thought the feeling was mutual but apparently I misread that.

“Look, Chloe.” He moves to touch my hand but pulls back before he makes contact. “Forgive me for this but it’s a subject we need to address. Griffin, my lawyer, brought it up and it’s been gnawing at me.”

I look up as the server approaches and places the tea on the table in front of me. “Thank you.”

Evan waits until he’s out of earshot before he drops a bombshell in my lap. “Once you are eight weeks along, I’m going to need you to take a paternity test. I can’t get invested in this if the baby isn’t mine.”

Chapter 32

Evan

I don’t know why the fuck I don’t trust my gut in situations like this. When I called my friend, Griffin Kent, to talk to him about how I could legally help Chloe, he immediately mentioned the idea of a paternity test.

I laughed at first because Chloe doesn’t strike me as the type to fuck more than one guy at a time. I told Griffin as much but he brought up the fact that even if she only slept with me since that night, she may have been with someone else in the days leading up to our one-night stand.

Pushing that possibility aside was easy when I was at work. It was the moments between when I was alone in my apartment or on the subway that doubt crept in.

Now, I’m sitting across from her and the expression on her face erases any questions I have. She looks stunned and hurt, even if she’s trying to put on a brave front.

“Of course,” she answers as she picks up the small china teacup. “I haven’t been with anyone else in a long time, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t ask for a paternity test. As you said, we don’t know each other very well.”

Fuck. I fucked up.

I didn’t have to bring this up today. I could have waited until she was at least in her second trimester. She’s been through so much shit in her life and when she’s finally in reach of one of her dreams, I smash it under my heel with the inference that she sleeps around.

“Let’s put that aside for now,” I try to retreat and save the conversation.

“No.” She puts the teacup back down without taking a sip. “It’s a valid point. I’ll ask my doctor about when a test like that can happen.”

I’m frustrated with myself. I didn’t have to bring this up tonight but my past edged me on. One bad experience can taint a person forever.

“I’ll call Rita tomorrow and we can set up an appointment that works for us both.”

“Why?” She leans back in her chair. “I have insurance. I’ll go to the appointment and report back to you. If it makes you more comfortable, I’ll give Dr. Bergstein permission to share the details with you herself.”

“I want to be there for you, Chloe.”

She pushes to stand. “I’m a big girl. I can handle a doctor’s appointment. Besides, you’re always busy. You don’t have to take time away from your work to hold my hand.”

I stand too, unsure of what to say next.

“Let’s put the help on hold until you can be sure that your investment in this is valid.”

“My heart tells me the baby is mine, Chloe.”