Page 20 of Ruin The Friendship
Panicked, I glance at the menu, which has way too many options in a font way too small. “Uh, what soups do you have?”
“Today we have split pea and clam chowder.”
Ew.
Never mind then. I swallow the gag in the back of my throat.
“Um. Okay.” I know there’s no way Jude will want to pay for my meal after he learns that instead of asking for a quick hookup, I am, in fact, here to tell him some life-changing news. “Can I have a Caesar salad?”
“Absolutely. And to drink?”
“Water, please.”
She promises to bring the water right away and steps aside, leaving me alone with Jude. Hopefully, she comes quickly. My mouth is as dry as cotton.
“So, how have you been?” Jude asks, taking another sip of his drink.
“Fine,” I croak. I clear my throat. “Um, fine.”
Mercifully, the waitress comes back with a tall glass of water with lemon for me.
“Thank you.” I take a long sip, wetting my dry throat.
“What made you reach out?” Jude questions, his eyes narrowing on mine. “I didn’t think you were interested after our last date.”
Is he serious?Heghostedme.
“What are you talking about? I texted you the next day, and you never replied.”
“You weren’t exactly an enthusiastic fuck.” Jude shrugs. “Like I said, I didn’t think you were interested.”
“Oh, my god.” I rest my head in my palms. Mind you, the man didn’t even make me orgasm. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter now.”
Jude narrows his eyes. “I’m confused.”
“Jude, I’m pregnant,” I blurt.
Might as well get it all out there in the open.
The hand holding his drink stops halfway to his mouth. “I’m sorry?”
“I’m pregnant. It’s yours.”
“I think you must be mistaken,” he says in an eerily firm tone.
“I’m not. You are the only person I’ve slept with in the last six months, and I’m nine weeks pregnant. Do the math.”
If he wants to pretend he ghosted me because I wasn’t enthusiastic enough, fine, but I willnotsugarcoat this for him.
Jude’s face shifts to a deep shade of red. “Do you think you’re going to get some hush money out of me? Because that’s the last thing that’ll happen. I’ll prove that fucking bastard inside of you isn’t mine. You’re a lying, gold-digging bitch.”
His words slice through my skin like blades.
“You know, not everything is about money. I’m here because I wanted to give you a chance to be in your child’s life, but I can see that’s the last thing you want, so I’ll go.” I move to stand.
“Sit down,” Jude replies sternly.
I freeze in my seat, my mind whirring.
