“I thought you didn’t want that anymore.”“Let’s just say you make me want things I shouldn’t. And,” I shift onto my knees and put my arms around him, “for some reason, I’m feeling very horny.”That part is genuine. I can feel my arousal building despite feeling off-color, and now I’m touching Micheal; it’s building tenfold. I’m desperate to get his clothes off.“What about your sickness?” Micheal asks, still not reaching for me. “I'm still worried about your condition.”“Do you normally push away a woman wanting sex with you?”“No…”“Then don’t start with me.” I start to undo the buttons on his shirt. “You did say you would look after me tonight, yes? Then look after me.”Micheal groans, and suddenly I’m on my back as he kisses me fiercely. Our hands are everywhere as we pull at each other’s clothes, almost getting tangled up as we try to do the same thing simultaneously. I kiss his shoulders and chest as he throws off his shirt, and then his mouth devours my breasts once my pajama t

“Well, the pill isn’t working if you’ve still managed to get pregnant. And Micheal was just here, so why didn’t you tell him?”“I don’t know.” I try to drink my tea, but it’s too hot, and my hands tremble. I put it to one side. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. I just needed him to get out of here before I had a panic attack.”“Oh, honey.” Helen looks torn. “I wish I knew what I could do to make you feel better. If I could take away…”“I appreciate you feel that way about me, Helen. I love you for it. But I have to deal with this.” I sigh heavily and rub my hands over my face. “I feel like crap. How do I tell someone I’m not even in a relationship with that I’m pregnant? I can’t see that going over well.”“How do you know? You need to tell him, and it can’t be that bad.”“But…”“Besides, he’s a dad already, isn’t he? And from what you’ve said, his kid is cool. I think it’s safe to say he’s a good father.”There is that. I can be sure that Micheal will be a good parent if Regina is anything

I’m not thinking aboutthat, Dad! I mean, talking about being with a woman like they’re your girlfriend. You haven’t done that in a very long time. And there’s a spring in your step.”“A spring in my step?” I can’t help but laugh at that. “Given that I’ve felt like I’m in a slump, I’m surprised there was a spring at all.”“Granted, I’ve seen how low you’ve been and felt bad about it.”“How come?”“Because I love you, and I wish to help.” Regina frowns. “I hate seeing you sad.”I don’t think I can love my daughter more than I already do. She is far too sweet for her own good. I’m not looking forward to the teenage tantrums that are on the horizon. I’m sure that they’re not too far away.I squeeze her hand before I grab some fries and dip them in the barbecue sauce.“You don’t need to worry about that. It’s not your responsibility to make me happy all the time. You’re my daughter, not my mom.”“Grandma was concerned as well. She wasn’t sure how she would cheer you up, either.”“Grandma w

Going downstairs, I find Dad out on the front lawn taking the dead roses off the bush. He looks up and gives me a warm smile. Then he straightens up and walks over to me.“Hey, sweetheart.” He keeps his pruning shears away from me and gives me a one-armed hug. “How was your nap? When I passed your room earlier, you were snoring away like a steam train.”“I was not!”“Well, you were. I take it you needed that.”I groan and lean into him, my head on his shoulder.“You could say that.”“Do you need me to get you anything? Your mother’s pregnancy was rough on her, and she found that a small bowl of ice cream worked wonders when she felt like crap.”“Ice cream? Isn’t that too much sugar?”If it works, I’m not going to argue.”I had already told Dad about my pregnancy, trying not to break down in the car when I called him. Dad was surprised, but he took it well. He did ask if the father knew, and I had to lie to him and assure him that it wasn’t Nathan’s baby. Dad doesn’t like Nathan after

Michael “There’s her dad’s house,” Katie says as she points. “Helen said it had some rose bushes in the garden with a red front door.”“And it looks like she’s already got a visitor,” I grumble as I pull up behind a black sedan. I can see Nathan and Lucia arguing on the sidewalk with a man I’m guessing is Lucia’s dad standing on the lawn with his arms folded and a garden hose in his hand. He looks ready for a fight. I can only hope he doesn’t turn that hose onto me.“Wait here, Regina.” I undo my seatbelt. “I don’t want you getting in the middle of this.”“Why?”“Just…do as you’re told, will you?”Regina sighs and sits back with her arms folded.“Okay, fine.”Grateful that my daughter is listening, I get out just as I hear Lucia shouting at Nathan.What are you talking about? No, of course not! Why would I waste my time and get back with a cheater?“Because I love you.”Well, I don’t love you!” Lucia snaps. She looks like she doesn’t know whether to lose her temper or burst into tear