Just as the young woman had never come back that way again.
As the months had passed, the man’s shoulders had stayed just as broad, his face just as handsome, his company more profitable than ever. But he’d grown more and more hollow, with more one-night stands, and wilder parties with acquaintances and colleagues that meant nothing. In the hours that were left between women who didn’t matter and work that seemed to matter just as little, he drove himself even further into the ground with five a.m. runs and midnight swims.
But still, he couldn’t forget the girl’s eyes.
Or what she’d screamed at him before she ran.
Until, finally, he found her working at a coffee shop. He saw the pink streaks in her hair first, darker now than they’d been so many months ago, and then the face that was even prettier than he’d remembered.
A play of emotions moved across the businessman’s face. Relief. Hope. Along with immovable, unstoppable intent.
She was helping a customer, and unlike the day he’d crashed into her on the street when she’d been so pale, her skin glowed and her hair shone. For a moment, the man’s mouth began to move into a smile. The first real one he’d worn in a very, very long time.
That was when the girl moved, shifting away from the register...and he saw her belly.
Her extremely pregnant belly.
Now he was the pale one as all color leached from his tanned skin. He had to grip the back of a chair to keep his balance, and more than one customer shot him a concerned look as he stopped cold in the middle of the coffee shop.
All it took was an instant to calculate that she’d already been pregnant when he’d knocked her down...and his foot had landed hard on her stomach.
Bile rose in his throat at what he might have done to her, to the life she carried, that day.
His own hands went to his middle as his eyes squeezed shut for a split second. She could have lost her baby because of him.
There were so many things he had to make up to so many people. But for now, she was his only focus.
He would make this up to her.
He would protect her and the baby.
And he would make sure she never hurt again.
He was just moving toward her when she laughed at something a co-worker said. Again, he was hit hard, this time higher than his stomach.
Straight in the heart.
Her eyes met his just then, and as their gazes locked, her glowing skin paled. The cup in her hand was forgotten as she backed away from him, cardboard slipping from her hands as steamed milk hit the floor and splattered all over her shoes and pants.
It was as if the warm splash of liquid brought her back to life. With a brisk smile that never even came close to reaching her eyes, she brushed off the concern of her co-workers, who were checking to make sure she hadn’t been burned, and picked up a nearby mop to clean up the mess she’d made.
The businessman walked toward her and stood silently behind the counter, watching as she calmly finished mopping up, then put away her cleaning supplies. Her hands were steady as she washed them in the sink.
At last, she turned to him, her chin up, her beautiful eyes shuttered. “What can I get you today, sir?”
For months, he’d thought of her as frail. Now, he realized just how strong she really was, partly because of the set of her mouth as she waited for his response, partly because of how well she carried the child inside of her.
He would help both of them. No matter what.
“I’d like to talk to you.”
Her mouth tightened, that flash of fury he’d remembered so well coming back into her eyes as she replied, “The special roast this month is from Jamaica, if you’d like to try that.”
He nodded. “Fine.” But even as relief began to loosen her shoulders, he said, “I’ll wait here until your next break.”
Barely veiled irritation informed her movements for the next thirty minutes. She sighed as she untied her apron. Her long cotton top floated over her belly now, making her look even younger.
She knew the man was waiting for her, but she had no intention of dealing with him. Even if a part of her was curious about why he wanted to talk to her. And especially because he was even better looking now than he’d been that awful day when he’d pushed her down on the sidewalk and actually stepped on her.
She didn’t owe him anything.
She turned and disappeared into the cramped back area where the employee lockers were. The last thing she expected was for the man to push in through the door a moment later.
Working to ignore the way her heart was pounding, she said, “Only employees are allowed back here.”
“I’m sure Joe would be happy to make an exception for me.” At her confused look, he explained, “My company funded the owner’s expansion.”
“Fine,” she said, mimicking his earlier tone when he’d bought the coffee he hadn’t asked for. Not wanting to draw this out, she asked point-blank, “What do you want?”
Instead of giving her a direct answer, his gaze moved to her stomach. She barely resisted the urge to try to cover herself with both hands.
“You’re pregnant.”
She all but snarled, “Obviously,”
His wince was there and gone so fast she almost thought she’d imagined it.
“Are you—” She was amazed to see him falter, even for a split second. “Is everything going okay with the baby?”
“Yes, the baby is perfect.”
“Where do you live?”
She gave him a look that clearly said she thought he was crazy. “You don’t even know my name. Do you actually think I’m going to tell you where I live?”
“Jo.” Her eyes widened before he reminded her, “Your name tag was on your apron,” and then, “My name is Graham.”
She looked down at the cheap watch on her wrist. “My break’s just about up now and since the baby is sitting on my bladder, I’ve got about thirty seconds to get to the bathroom before I’m needed behind the register again.”
If she’d expected him to be bothered by talk of bodily functions—or to finally get the picture and leave—she was disappointed. Still, she really did have to go, so she walked into the bathroom. After taking care of business and washing her hands, she stared at herself in the mirror, schooling herself in what she needed to say to the man. To Graham.
She took a deep breath to steel herself for it, then stepped into the back room where she knew he’d still be waiting for her.
He was too big for the small area.
And too darkly handsome for her peace of mind.