Blackmail

Breaking Up

Nate parks in the driveway and turns to me.

"What's on your mind? You've been quiet the entire way home."

I know I have to respond but the pregnancy is already messing with my emotions. I feel the tears in my eyes.

"I won't tell Dr. Kamryn about the smoking."

"I already know that."

"You don't have to pretend to be my boyfriend anymore."

Shock crosses his face.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not going to blackmail you anymore. I don't want to hurt anybody."

"Cecilia..."

"Just tell everybody the truth. Tell them all that this isn't your baby. Go back to your normal life. I'm sorry I ever screwed it up like this."

I reach for the handle to escape but Nate grabs my hand.

"Who said I want to stop pretending?"

What are those words coming out of his mouth?

"Repeat that statement please?"

"What if I don't want to end this fake relationship? What if I want to make it a real relationship?"

I can feel my heart slamming in my chest. Is he being serious?

"Doesn't that violate the terms of the deals?"

"I never said anything about crushes."

"So you really want to make this a true relationship? You really want to stop faking it?"

"Yes. Will you be my girlfriend?"

"As long as it doesn't send me into some kind of loophole where I have to tell you the truth, yes."

He winks at me, kissing my hand.

"Dating is the first step to making you fall for me."

"Still think I'm going to fall for you?"

"Oh, I know you will. I'm irresistible."

Oh how I hope he's wrong.