The Nurse's Baby Secret

“Acting implies a pretense. I’m not pretending, Savannah. We’re not a couple. Just two people who used to enjoy each other’s company. I still enjoy your company.”

“This feels pretend.”

“Why?”

“Because it feels reminiscent of the past.”

“This is the here and now.”

“

I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

He laughed a little ironically. “I’m not going to get the wrong idea, Savannah. I know you hate me.”

Was that what he thought? That she hated him?

“I don’t hate you.”

“Not yet.”

“I can’t imagine ever hating you, Charlie.”

“It’ll come.”

“What makes you think that?”

“It’s just what happens.”

His answers made no sense to her. She stared at him from across the table. “Is that how you feel about me? That you hate me or that you’re going to at some point in the future?”

He looked as if her question shocked him. “Why would you think that?”

“For the same reasons you think I’m going to hate you.”

He shook his head. “You’re a much better person than I am. I can’t imagine anyone has hated you during your entire life.”

The way he said it made her think someone had hated him. Someone who had hurt him dearly.

“Have you ever been in love, Charlie?”

“No.” He stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Nor will I ever be. Some people aren’t meant for such things.”

“You’re one of those people?”

He nodded.

“Why is that?” she pushed. “Are you heartless? Or just have so many walls that no woman can ever get through to you?”

“Neither. I’m just not capable.”

For so long she’d believed otherwise. She’d believed he’d been in love with her. She’d have bet her life on it.

“What about you?”

She blinked at his question. “What about me about what?”

“Have you ever been in love?”