Page 48 of Please Open Me
He pulled me in like a magnet, tucking me against his chest. His arm wrapped around me, hand sliding to my stomach like it had a mind of its own.
I let out a choppy breath.
I wanted to lie. I really did. But I couldn’t.
“I'm hungry,” I whispered.
He laughed softly, warm breath brushing the back of my neck.
“Course you are,” he murmured. “You’re pregnant.”
There it was.
He said it like it wasn’t a big deal. Like it wasn’t the giant, awful, life-upending tragedy I’d been avoiding all day.
My arms curled against my chest, elbows tight to my ribs. His hand stayed on my belly, rubbing gently like it already meant something more.
“What d’ya want?” he asked. “You inhaled that burger earlier. I’ll go get another.”
I wanted to disappear.
He was right. I’d devoured it. And itwasthe best thing I’d tasted in years.
But I hadn’t eaten meat since I was seventeen. And I hated how easy it had been to forget that.
“I don’t want this,” I said, and the tears came before I could stop them.
Cameron froze. His hand stayed exactly where it was.
“You’re not talkin’ about food,” he said softly.
I shook my head. Then turned to face him.
“I need you to tell me what to do.”
He was older. Wiser. That was supposed tomeansomething.
What good was dating someone old enough to be your dad if he couldn’t make the hard decisions?
“Baby girl,” he said, voice full of warmth and concern, “I can’t.”
“And why not?”
My voice cracked. I hated how desperate I sounded.
He shifted closer, close enough for me to feel his words on my cheek.
“Because it’s your body, Mae. Ithasto be your choice.”
I stared at him, throat locked.
That wasn’t the answer I wanted. Not even close.
“I don’twantit to be my choice,” I snapped. “I want someone to take it from me. To make it simple. To make it go away.”
His brow furrowed. He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.
“You were happy when the test came up positive.”
