After the Final by Katharine O'Neill

Author:Katharine O'Neill [O'Neill, Katharine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2024-01-26T00:00:00+00:00

Emma

I had a little speech planned for when I saw Mark again, about the pregnancy and how I’m going to raise the baby regardless of what he said. I had planned to say all of this before he could respond. But as soon as I saw him, I forgot about my speech. I just couldn’t stop staring at him.

And he looks fucking hot in a suit. I didn’t think that was possible, but he certainly looks better in a suit than in shorts and t-shirt. Although that tie is driving me mad and I want to get rid of it. To unbutton his shirt and lick him all the way down.

I can’t let him distract me. We’ve got to talk, and I can’t be thinking about how I want to undress him when we’re having an important conversation.

We’re silent as we head up to Mark’s office, stepping into the room and cutting ourselves off from the rest of his colleagues. As soon as Mark closes the door, the noise from outside is muted. It’s almost like we’re isolated from everyone else despite being in a big building.

Almost as if someone is trying to tempt me.

I need to get this out as soon as I can.

“I almost asked how you managed to find me,” Mark says as he walks over to his desk. “But I’m guessing that you can just look me up.”

“You could say that. Google is amazing like that.”

“Well, you’ve found me.” Mark leans against his desk and folds his arms. He doesn’t touch me, and it makes me want to reach out and ask for him to touch me. “What is it? Did something happen?”

Here it came. I try not to touch my stomach, shoving my hands into my pockets as I take a deep breath.

“I’m pregnant.”

Silence. Mark is now staring at me like he hasn’t seen me before. Not quite the reaction I was hoping for, but not unexpected. I just wish I would stop squirming. Then he splutters.

“You’re…you’re pregnant? But…but I thought…”

“That I was on birth control? I am.” I flinch. “But there’s always a small chance of getting pregnant, isn’t there? And that slim chance…”

“Fuck.” Mark pushes off the desk and paces away. “I should have been more careful.”

“I’m sorry, Mark. I know it’s not something you want to hear…” I feel my chest tightening. “I don’t know what you think about kids, and I’m not going to force you into anything. I just thought you deserved to know.”

Mark doesn’t say anything for a moment. Then he turns and looks at me. I can’t read his expression.

“So you’re going to keep the baby?”

“I can’t bring myself to end this pregnancy. Although I wasn’t planning anything yet.” I can’t help myself and I put my hand on my belly. “If you don’t want to be involved, that’s fine. We don’t have to speak to each other again. But I would be a horrible person if I didn’t let you know.”

Mark stares at me to the point I’m shuffling from foot to foot.

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