The Wedding Secret Page 3

  CHAPTER 13

  As he drove home, Amir ran through his encounter with Renata in his mind.

  Pregnant? How could she be pregnant?

  Logic told him the answer to that question, but logic rarely played into relationships. His heart thudded in his chest, as it had ever since her announcement.

  He remembered their interactions the day before the wedding, and how she’d spoken of recently getting out of a relationship. Yet she’d told him of her pregnancy matter-of-factly, as if she were sure he was the father. How could that be?

  He pulled into his driveway, hit the button on the visor to raise the garage door. Once parked, he got out of the truck and went inside. Grabbing a beer from his refrigerator, he took it to the couch and flopped down. After taking his first swig of the ice-cold brew, he set it down on the coffee table.

  The ringing of his cell phone caught his attention, and he fished it from his pocket to answer it. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Amir. It’s Q.”

  Hearing the voice of his best friend Quincy brightened his mood. “What’s up, Q?”

  “What’s up with you? You sound like you’re stressing about something.”

  Amir groaned. “I am.” He then quickly relayed the story of the time he’d spent with Renata during the wedding weekend, and today’s bombshell. “She lured me there by saying she wanted to expand her shop.”

  “Damn.” For the first time, Q seemed at a loss for words. “What are you gonna do, man?”

  “I don’t know. She told me herself she just went through a bad breakup. Yet she acted as if there’s no doubt the baby is mine.”

  “Bro, the way I see it, you need to get a DNA test. I know I don’t have to remind you of what happened with Sheila.”

  He rolled his eyes. “It’s been a few years, but no, you don’t have to remind me how she tried to trap me with a fake pregnancy.” His dealings with Sheila had left him feeling frustrated with women in general. It had been almost a year after that debacle before he’d gone out with another woman.

  “You don’t think that’s happening again, I’m guessing.”

  “No.” Amir didn’t really know why, but he didn’t think Renata was lying. She’d looked just as nervous as he’d been surprised. “I feel like she’s actually pregnant.”

  “Then ask for the test. I mean, if you’re not sure, it’s the only way to find out the truth.”

  Amir scratched his chin, thinking over Q’s words. “I think she’d agree to it. If she knows the baby is mine, why wouldn’t she?”

  “Right.” Q paused, cleared his throat. “Handle your business, man.”

  “Bet.” He disconnected the call, tucked the phone away and reached for his beer. While he agreed with Q about the test providing clarity in this situation, Amir wasn’t even sure he wanted to deal with the situation, at least not right away. She couldn’t be that far along, so he saw no need to rush things.

  I’ll just chill for a while.

  CHAPTER 14

  Renata lay across her bed, feeling like crap. It had been three days since she’d broken the news of her pregnancy to Amir. She was very early in the pregnancy, as her doctor had confirmed at her appointment yesterday. Today, morning sickness had set in and was currently kicking her butt. She couldn’t remember feeling a sense of general malaise like this before. Her head ached, her breasts were tender and she didn’t even want to think about food, let alone eat.

  Mindful of her doctor’s advice, she rolled from her back onto her left side. The doctor had said her positioning might help quell her nausea. It also gave her a view of outside, through her bedroom window. She’d opened the blinds to let the sunlight stream through her sheers. The overcast day matched her mood. Sighing, she placed a hand to her throbbing temple.

  As the throbbing began to subside, she thought about her situation. If she’d had any doubt in the validity of the home pregnancy test before, she didn’t any longer. Even without the doctor’s confirmation, the way she felt physically would have told her the truth. She was carrying Amir’s baby, no matter how much of an inconvenience that might be for either of them.

  She thought of him then, and the way he’d reacted to the news. He’d been so stiff and stoic when she told him, his face an expressionless mask. The way he’d taken her card, then turned and walked out without another word had left her bereft. What had he been thinking? Was he angry? Frustrated? Disgusted? She had no way of knowing until they spoke again, but she had no idea when, or if, that would happen.

  Her own childhood memories were sweet. Though she was an only child of an emergency physician and a podiatrist, her parents had given her plenty of love and support. They’d provided a stable home for her, taken her on yearly vacations and allowed her to pursue her love of the visual arts. Even though her career choice didn’t jibe with their ideals, they’d accepted their daughter as she was. Moreover, their love for each other had shown Renata what it meant to be in love. She wanted someone who loved and cherished her, the way her father did her mother.

  Could I have that with Amir? Given the circumstances, she thought that fantasy was far out of reach. It was only supposed to be one night of fun. Hadn’t they agreed to no entanglements? She’d told him about the breakup she’d just suffered, and who knew what past relationship baggage he harbored? There must be something that made him so gun-shy about commitment.

  Sighing, Renata resigned herself to whatever came next for her. She could only hope that Amir would want to be a part of the baby’s life. However things turned out, she wouldn’t try to insert herself into his world. If he wanted her, it would have to be his decision.

  She needed some perspective on this. Grabbing her cell phone, she dialed her mother’s number.

  CHAPTER 15

  Amir raised his glass of tea, taking a long drink. He sat at a table outside of Midwood Smokehouse with a steaming plate of brisket in front of him. He scooped a helping into his mouth, regarding the view of Central Avenue as he chewed.

  Raheem, Amir’s older brother, sat across from him with his own meal. A mechanic by trade, Raheem owned a small auto shop near his Myers Park home. The three-year age difference between them had never kept them from hanging out, as they did each month when they met for lunch.

  Working on his own plate of smoked wings, Raheem used a napkin to wipe the sauce away from his mouth. “You’ve been real quiet, Amir. What’s going on with you?”

  Swallowing his food with another swig of tea, Amir braced for the admission he had to make. “There’s a possibility I’m about to be…a father.” The last two words were a struggle to get out.

  Raheem’s brow lifted, the surprise showing on his face. “What? Really? Why didn’t you tell me you were involved with someone?”

  “Because I’m not.” Amir cleared his throat. “I…uh…got into a little situation.”

  Now Raheem looked even more surprised.

  Taking a deep breath, Amir recounted the story, the same way he’d done with Q a few days ago. When he finished, he shrugged. “I never thought something like this would happen, but then I guess I wasn’t really thinking at all.”

  “I know you’re not out here getting it in without wrapping it up.” Raheem gave him a censuring look.

  “Nah, man. Never. But the wrapping couldn’t hold up to the getting it in, if you catch my meaning.” Amir popped a hush puppy into his mouth, savoring the warm, fluffy interior and its crispy outer shell.

  “I see.” Raheem was quiet for a few moments as he put away another wing. He seemed to be mulling things over as he ate. Setting aside the bone, he said, “Listen. It sounds to me like you’re being stubborn about this. What’s her name?”

  A charge went through his body as he spoke her name. “Renata.”

  Raheem’s knowing look spoke volumes. “You have feelings for her?” He was asking a question, but his expression conveyed his surety of the answer.

  Amir sighed. “Yes. I never planned to get involved. We had an arrangement that was s
upposed to keep feelings out of the equation.”

  “Forget all that. If she means something to you, you should sit down and work this out with her. Being in your child’s life is one thing, and I know you’ll do the right thing on that end. But if you care about her, you owe it to yourself to at least see where things could go.”

  Amir knew his brother was right. While he still had his doubts, he was wasting time by avoiding Renata. It was time he stopped hemming and hawing and saw about Renata…and his baby.

  CHAPTER 16

  Renata didn’t realize she’d fallen asleep until the sound of someone pounding on the front door of her apartment startled her awake. Groggy and confused, she sat up slowly, thinking the knocking might have been a dream. When the knock sounded again, she knew it was real.

  Maybe it’s Amir. As she threw a robe on over her camisole and pajama bottoms and jammed her feet into her slippers, she thought of how she looked. Running a hand over her wild hair to lay it down, she shuffled to the door.

  Stifling a yawn with one hand, she put the other hand on the doorknob. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me.”

  Shock widened her eyes as the last remnants of sleepiness fell way. “What the hell do you want?” Gary hadn’t left anything in her apartment, so what possible reason could he have to be standing at her door after the way he’d treated her?

  “Ren, please. Just let me in.”

  “For what?” She didn’t bother to keep the attitude out of her voice. She felt and looked a hot mess, and she had no desire to be bothered with him.

  “I just want to talk. It will only take a few minutes.” His plaintive tone grated on her nerves. “Please, Ren.”

  Rolling her eyes hard enough to see her brain, she twisted the knob and pulled the door open. “Fine. If it will put a stop to your whining, say what you gotta say.”

  Easing into the living room, Gary clasped his hands together. “Thank you for hearing me out.”

  She fixed him with a hard stare. “Make it quick, Gary.”

  His eyes darted to the sofa. “Can I sit down?”

  “No.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Whatever you have to say, you can say standing. That way you can leave faster when you’re done.”

  He didn’t protest. “I needed to let you know that it was a mistake for me to end things with you the way I did.”

  “Congratulations on getting a clue.”

  He looked chastised. “I deserve that, and more. I was wrong to disrespect you and your business.”

  She sighed. Time had given Gary some much needed clarity, but she wasn’t interested in hearing about it. “What’s your point?”

  “My point is, I want you back, Renata.” He took a step closer to her, but stopped when he saw her expression. “What we had was special, baby. No one can take your place.”

  She said nothing. What was there to say?

  “Remember Wrightsville Beach? Walking along the shore, holding hands?”

  She did remember, and for a moment, she felt her anger soften.

  As if sensing her guard was down, Gary continued. “That night when the sun set, and you were in my arms, the world was perfect.”

  She sighed deeply. “Don’t, Gary. It’s not fair for you to do this.”

  As per usual, he kept it up. “What about that night in…”

  Another knock on the door interrupted his account of better times.

  CHAPTER 17

  Amir hoped Renata would let him in. Her car was parked in the lot below her apartment, indicating she was home. Still, who knew if she’d see him?

  I waited almost a week to reach out. What if she thinks I don’t care about her and the baby? He surely hadn’t acted like he cared before, but he’d rectify that today.

  Relief flooded him as she opened the door. Dressed in a bathrobe and slippers, she looked tired and worn. Concerned, he held out his hand. “Renata. Are you feeling okay?”

  “I’m not a hundred percent.” She tugged the door to open it fully, revealing another man standing in her living room.

  Amir face’s folded into a frown. “Who’s this?”

  The smug man shot back, “I could ask the same question!”

  Renata, now looking as if she wanted to disappear in a puff of smoke, waved him inside. “Just come in. Join the circus.”

  Moments later the three of them stood in the living room. Amir eyed the other man, who eyed him right back. Even without knowing who he was, Amir decided he didn’t care for this guy. His vibe didn’t sit right with him.

  “This is just what I need today.” Renata flopped down on the couch with an exasperated sigh. “Amir, meet Gary, my ex. Gary, meet Amir.”

  “Your ex?” Amir narrowed his eyes at Gary. “The one who put you through a bad breakup?”

  Gary, backing away from Amir, demanded, “How does he know about that? And how do you even know him?”

  “I don’t owe you any explanations, Gary.” She propped herself up on a decorative pillow, turning her attention to Amir. “So, I guess you’re ready to talk, then?”

  Walking over to the couch, he crouched and took her hand in his. “I’m ready to do more than that.”

  Gary took offense to that, and stalked over to them. “What the hell is going on here?”

  Amir stiffened. “Hold on, playa. I need you to back up.”

  “This is between Ren and I.” Gary’s terse tone indicated his feelings.

  For a few moments, tension crackled between the two men.

  Finally, Renata snapped, “I think it’s pretty clear that you and I are not getting back together. So why don’t you just leave, Gary?”

  He bristled. “You haven’t heard me out! I have so much more to say…”

  Gary’s words trailed off into silence as Amir stood to his full height, a good four inches above him.

  Amir locked eyes with Gary. “I think you’d better leave, like Renata asked you to. And it would be wise if you didn’t come back. Capiche?”

  Gary sighed, but said nothing as he walked to the door and let himself out.

  After the door closed, Amir turned back to Renata. “How are you feeling?”

  She gave a slight smile as she lay back against the cushion. “Like hell. Morning sickness has started.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I’ll be here as long as you need me.”

  She looked into his eyes. “What are you saying, Amir?”

  CHAPTER 18

  Renata waited for Amir’s response, somewhat nervous of what he might say.

  He smiled, eyes sparkling. “I mean, I want to take care of you. Pregnancy is hard on the body, and I’d like to be here to support you, if you’ll let me.”

  Her chest tightened. “That’s so sweet, Amir. And of course, you’re welcome to help me out. Until I get over this morning sickness, I’ll need someone to lean on.”

  He sat down on the floor then, still holding her hand. “Good.”

  “You’re already off to a good start. Thanks for getting rid of Gary.”

  “My pleasure.”

  Looking into his handsome face made her emotions rise. She had so much to say to him, now that he was here. Drawing a deep breath, she poured out her heart. “Amir, I understand that you were surprised by my pregnancy—so was I. I just didn’t want to keep it from you. You had a right to know.”

  His gaze dropped for a moment. “It’s not your fault—you were right to tell me. I let something that happened in my past keep me from stepping up right away.”

  “Do you want to tell me about it?”

  His expression turned grim. “A few years ago, a woman I was dating tried to trap me with a fake pregnancy. She had fake ultrasounds, pretended to be tired and helpless, the whole nine yards. She sold it so well, we were about to get married. It all fell apart about a month before the wedding.”

  That explained a lot about his reaction to her news. She couldn’t imagine a woman who would go so far to be deceitful. “I see. I’m sorry that happened to you,
but I’m not the kind of woman who would do that. This is the real deal. I know, because I’m miserable.”

  His face softened as he looked at her. “I know. And I’m sorry I projected that onto you. All I want now is what’s best for you, and the baby. I have to ask you something, though.”

  “What is it?”

  “Would you be willing to take a DNA test?”

  Considering what he’d just told her, she understood his request. “Sure. I don’t mind. I can tell you now that the baby is yours, because Gary and I hadn’t connected for several months before we broke up. But I don’t mind taking the test.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate you being so cool about it.”

  She shrugged. “It’s not a big deal to me. I want you to be a part of this child’s life.”

  He brushed his fingertips over her cheek then. “What about me being a part of your life? Do you want that?”

  She sat up. “Is that what you want, Amir? A relationship with me?”

  He locked eyes with her. “Yes, Renata. I care about you, and I have since we first met. Let’s just see where this can go.”

  She leaned in, placed a soft kiss on his lips. “I’m in.”

  CHAPTER 19

  Amir watched Renata interacting with his family, and he couldn’t help smiling. Currently she was telling his father, Corbin, and brother, Raheem, a story about a museum-hopping trip she’d taken through Washington, DC. Both men were eating out of her hand, and Amir loved watching it unfold.

  Everything had happened so fast between him and Renata that they’d agreed to spend time getting to know each other better. For the past two weeks, they’d done precisely that. Their efforts culminated in today’s cookout, in the backyard of Amir’s parents’ home in Myers Park. The guest list included only the two of them and their immediate families.

  He turned toward his mother, Stella. She was sitting next to Renata’s mother, Jackie. He couldn’t hear what they were talking about, though everyone present could hear them laughing. Their animated expressions and hand gestures as they spoke made it hard to tell they’d just met.