Only With Me (With Me 2)

I nodded. “Why haven’t you called Cole back?”

Her eyes filled with tears and I was honestly taken aback. Charity didn’t seem like the type of girl who let her emotions show. When she instantly started crying, I jumped up and went over to her.

“Charity,” I softly said as I pulled her into my arms.

“I’m not a whore, Nic. As much as I act like I have no problem sleeping around, I rarely do. What happened with Cole has never happened to me before and I have been beside myself ever since.”

I lifted her chin up so she would look me in the eyes. “Because of the condom thing?”

Her eyes widened in shock. “He told you?” she barely said.

With a nod, I replied, “He’s just as scared, but Charity, he really likes you and wants you to call.”

Her eyes closed and a tear slipped out and slowly made a path down her cheek. It killed me. I hated seeing women cry.

Hated. It.

“Don’t cry, Charity. I know you think he’s a player, but honest to God he hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

Her eyes opened and with a trembling chin, she said, “Today I found out I’m pregnant, Nic.”

I dropped my hold on her and took a few steps back. “What?”

She nodded.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Cole really liked Charity, but I wasn’t sure how he would react to this.

“That’s where I was today. I went this morning for the sonogram, I just walked around. I didn’t know what else to do. I sent Cole a text and asked if we could meet for dinner. I . . . I don’t . . . I don’t know what to do.”

Her face buried in her hands and I went to her again, pulling her into a hug and whispering that everything would be okay. I had wanted to drill her about Gabi, but now was not the time. I was going to have to figure that shit out on my own.

“I’ve known Cole a long time. He’ll stand by you, Charity.”

She stepped back and wiped her tear-soaked face with her fingers. “I know he will. The last few weeks we’ve spent together have been great. It’s just . . . I feel something with him, Nic. Something that has never happened before.” She covered her mouth to hold back her sob. “I knew there was something between us, but I got scared. That overwhelming feeling I had when he made love to me was almost too much. Then when we realized what he had done, I really freaked.”

“He freaked too, Charity, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be there for you.”

She sunk down onto the sofa. “I don’t want him to think I want money.”

“He won’t.”

With a halfhearted laugh, she looked at me. “Really? Because I’m pretty sure most men in this situation would think that.”

“The only way you’re going to find out is to talk to him.”

Her arms wrapped around her waist. “I’ve never really told Gabi or anyone this, but I come from a pretty wealthy family. I’m not worried about money. Jesus, I’m not ready to be a mother. I’m too greedy. This is my time to have fun and do fun things, not sit home with a baby.”

She gasped then dropped back and covered her face and moaned.

“What’s wrong?”

Her hands fell to the sides of her onto the sofa. “The Knitters are Purls.”

“Your knitting group?”

The only reason I knew about the group was because Gabi dragged me there last week to meet Lou, Beth, Karen, and Nancy. Charity bitched the entire drive there and back home.

She nodded.

“What about them?”

Sitting up, she shot me a look like I was a dumb ass. “They’re going to start knitting me shit! Oh my God! Blankets and baby booties.”

I laughed. “Well, it could be worse, they could be knitting you a sweater like they are me.”

When her face cracked into a smile, I felt a little better. “That’s true,” she said.

“Want a drink?” She tilted her head and scrounged her nose. “Shit. Right. Want a water?”

Laughing, she nodded her head. “Please.”

After pouring her a glass of water, I sat down across from her.

“Will you do me a favor?” she asked.

“Sure.”

Charity chewed on her lip. “Don’t tell Gabi. I broke down with you and let it slip, but I need to tell Cole and figure out where we go from here before anyone else knows.”

I nodded. “I won’t tell a soul.”

She smiled.

I flashed her a grin, but then let it drop. My tone turned serious. “Will you do something for me now?”

Setting her water down, she looked me straight in the eye. “Please tell me you’re not breaking up with her.”

For a moment I was taken aback, but then I could see how she would think that. I was waiting in Gabi’s apartment, and I had just gotten serious on her.