The Virgin Cowboy Billionaire’s Secret Baby(57)

He didn’t speak. There was nothing he could say that she’d want to hear, so he stroked her hair and let her lean on him.

When she pulled back after a while, she wiped her eyes and took a few deep slow ragged breaths. “I’m so sorry. God, fuck these hormones.”

“Dara.” He kept his arm around her shoulders. “Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t have emotions.”

“Still.” She ran a shaky hand through her hair. “That asshole. I’m sorry you had to see that.”

He didn’t know if she meant the exchange with her ex or the collapse afterward, but either way, he gently squeezed her arm.

She started to sit back, so he withdrew his arm to give her some room. She leaned against the door, elbows resting on her upraised knees and one hand over her eyes. “I didn’t think it would hurt that much to see him again.”

“Is this the first time you’ve seen him since he left?”

She nodded. “He told me he was leaving, and that’s all she wrote.” She dropped her hand and let her head fall back against the door. Staring up at the ceiling, she added, “I spent a solid week hoping he’d change his mind. And now…”

Matt swallowed. He had no idea what to say. She probably didn’t need to hear that she deserved better, or that Jon needed to be fucked sideways with a flaming cactus. He was pretty sure she already knew all that.

Dara closed her eyes. “I know it’s over. I’ve accepted that, and I’m ready to move on. But I guess I’ve been so focused on the baby and moving.” She covered her face. “God, I really didn’t think it would hurt like this.”

“He’s the man you were planning to raise a family with,” Matt said softly. “And he changed his mind. Of course it’s going to hurt to see him.”

“I know. He’s lucky I didn’t throw his ass off the porch and run him over, but up until a few weeks ago, I loved him. I mean, I guess I still do in a way. I would never take him back in a million years after what he did, but I mean, why was it so hard to tell him no?”

“Because of who he was to you.” Matt laced their fingers together. “You’re not hurting over the guy who cheated on you and abandoned you—you’re hurting over the one you married and wanted to raise a family with.”

Dara was quiet for a moment. Then she wiped her eyes and nodded. “You’re probably right.” She cracked a faint smile. “I’m still holding these fucking hormones accountable, though.”

Matt laughed and hugged her again. He wouldn’t argue with her if this meant her sense of humor was coming back.

She let her head fall back against the door again and closed her eyes. “I really wish I could have a fucking beer right now.”

Matt scowled. “I think you deserve a few shots of tequila after that.”

“You’re damn right I do. And of course, I can’t have any of that either. Damn it.”

“I could have a few for you.”

“Tequila makes you stupid.”

“I know. But that would be entertaining for you.”

She looked at him, and his heart clenched. Bad time for a joke? But then she laughed softly and took his hand. “Yeah, it would be entertaining.” The humor faded as quickly as it had come back. “I can’t believe my mother—” She covered her face again. “Who am I kidding? I totally can.”

“Why the hell would she do this?”

“Because she’s convinced that I’m being irresponsible and selfish by having this baby alone. Because, clearly, I knew when I got pregnant that my husband was about to turn from Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Douchebag.”

“Does she know what he’s like? What he did?”

Dara nodded, sniffing sharply. “She thinks I was wrong for not telling him I was pregnant. That he deserved to know so he could make things right. She was ready to throttle him when she found out he left, but now apparently I’m the bad guy for not taking him back.” She blew out a breath. “Maybe she’s right. I don’t know. I don’t fucking know.”

“Dara.” Matt lifted her chin so they were looking in each other’s eyes, and he gently brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “You’re not the bad guy. No matter how much your mother tries to guilt you and make you think you’re being selfish and irresponsible, I have absolute faith that you can take care of yourself and this baby. I knew back when I donated for you that no matter what, any child you raised would be in good hands. In fact, there isn’t another woman alive who I’d trust to raise my biological kids with me out of the picture.” He smiled. “And as shitty as the circumstances are that brought all this on, I’m glad I’m not out of the picture now. So I can be part of my kid’s life, but also so I can be there when you’re the mother I always knew you would be.”