Page 241 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

Her eyes darted up.

‘But can I tell you one thing? I know I seem ruthless, but I’m not to the people I care about.’

‘Dante...’ She was shaking a little, still unsure what he knew.

‘Incinta?’he asked—pregnant.

‘I’m late...’

‘The truth, Susie.’

‘Iamlate.’

‘You don’t have to break it to me gently,’ he said. ‘I think I already know. And I don’t think you’d be talking about throwing in your dream job if you hadn’t taken a test, and you didn’t drink any champagne last night. You don’t want cake now.’

‘Yes,’ she finally said. ‘I am.’

‘When did you find out?’

‘I think I was starting to work it out at the wedding.’

‘Poor thing!’

He actually laughed, just a little, and it was so unexpected—more so the hand that came to her cheek.

‘I did a test on Wednesday,’ she said.

‘So, when were you going to tell me?’

‘Once I got home.’

He removed his hand.

‘I didn’t want an argument, or for you to...’ She shrugged. ‘Do your attorney thing and make the DNA speech.’

‘I was nineteen when that happened,’ Dante said.

‘I get that.’

‘Do you want to go it alone?’ he asked. ‘Seriously, Susie? Iaman attorney, but I am not going to plead for marriage or for you to stay here. I am going to do my best, whatever you want...’ Then he added, ‘I’ll be around, though. For the baby. A lot.’

She looked down.

‘Well, depending on work,’ he amended, and she smiled just a little.

She looked up and met his eyes for the first time since she’d nodded and confirmed that, yes, she was pregnant.

‘So, what do you want?’ he asked.

‘There’ll be a lot of gossip if I’m here.’

‘There’s gossip now.’ Dante shrugged. ‘Susie, please tell me what you want, or what you think you want, orsomething?’

She was scared to, though.

‘Okay,’ he said into the silence. ‘Shall I tell you what I would prefer?’

‘Yes.’