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He waited for her expression to change to shocked regret Instead her eyes widened and then she s

"I could be pregnant?" she breathed "We could have a baby? I never thought about that Is it possible? I don’t think ood"

He couldn’t believe it She was happy at the prospect?

She flung herself at hi? A baby I’ve alanted children Could it really happen rabbed her and shoved her away "What’s wrong with you?" he deood news"

Her smile faded "Why not?"

How the hell was he supposed to answer that?

"It’s a baby," she said "That would be a istics, but we’ll deal This is a"

He was beyond pissed Shouldn’t she be upset and frantic? "You’re not getting it This isn’t good news"

"It is to nant depend on where I aether "But still, a baby That would be totally cool What a wonderful consequence"

"Not for me," he snapped "I’m not interested in more children I don’t do relationships, re to trapdisappointment"

The happiness fled from her face "Is that what you think of me?" she asked "I’h toyou, or any lea kid?"

"As much as you did when Aht, fighting frustration Didn’t she understand what this could mean?

"With your travel schedule?"

"I’ll hire a nanny"

Typical, he thought in disgust "I’lared at him "I’m sorry you’re upset about this, Wyatt, but I refuse to be I’ve alanted children Maybe this isn’t the way I would have chosen, but it’s still a miracle to me I promise whatever happens, you won’t be inconvenienced, which is really what this is about If I need help, I’ll hire it Without asking for anyfor whatever I want"

"If only," he et it I’ht? This ood at what I do Between concert dates and CD sales, last year I earned about two ood year, but not my best Money isn’t an issue for ht be pregnant, but I refuse to be"

With that, she turned and walked away

Wyatt stood alone in the waiting roos up worse than he had If there was a wrong way and a disastrous way, he’d obviously gone down the latter

He shouldn’t have attacked her like that What were the odds she was pregnant? He’d been a first-class jerk and he knew it He’d reacted because of what had happened with Shanna But Claire wasn’t anything like his ex-wife

She was also rich, he thought, not happy about the news He considered hi the women in his life Yes, he had a successful business and money wasn’t an issue for him, but damn, had she really made two million last year?

"HOW DO YOU FEEL?" Claire asked

Nicoleto have an orthopedic surgeon, instead of the one I had last ti this because I had a crush on him"Claire shifted to the front of the chair she’d pulled up beside her sister’s hospital bed "Would that be such a bad thing? A doctor Our parents would be so proud"

Nicole started to laugh, then pressed a hand to her midsection "No Don’t be funny It hurts"

Claire didn’t want to hear that "Are you sure you’re okay? Nothing was ripped open when you fell?"

Nicole s ripped open I’ skin There was a little oozing but nothing serious"

"I wish it had been me"

Nicole’s smile broadened "Me, too"

They looked at each other "I’ht We were both reacting I shouldn’t have yelled at you about Jesse You were right She’s your sister, too I should have at least h I’m so ht about consequences I didn’t think that through When Jesse called, I just reacted"

"I’m not sure I would have done any different," Nicole said

Claire hoped that was true She didn’t want her sister going back into surgery with the two of theood that you’re around with all that’s happening with Jesse," Nicole admitted "Someone needs to be the voice of reason"

"I’m far from that," Claire said, "but I want to help" She clutched her sister’s hand htly "I’m sorry I said you were a victim You’re not You’ve done so much on your oith no one to support you I totally respect that"

Nicole blinked several times "I don’t mean to play the victim It’s just lately it see around the corner and it’s rarely good"

That made Claire think of other surprises

"What?" Nicole asked "You’re thinking about so I can tell"

Claire didn’t know if this was the ti to keep ery Please, tell ht with Wyatt When I was gone the other night, I ith hiured that"

"He’s not happy about the virgin thing"

"Did you tell him before or after?"

"After"

Nicole winced "Did he freak?"

"Prettya hissy fit"

Nicole laughed "I’ve never seen hiuess He seemed okay with it at the tihts" She paused, re what he’d said, what she’d never considered That there was a chance she was pregnant