I entered the room, but instead of sitting behind the desk as he always had, Jack was sitting on the other side of the small, two-setting table on the wall near the window. His materials were set into neat piles, but there was still plenty of room to work. But it obviously provided a more intimate place to study.
Jack smiled when I came in. He rose to his feet and motioned toward the table. "I hope you don't mind, but I thought we might get more done over here."
Also, it was closer proximity.
I nodded, setting my books to the side and then took my seat. "Sounds good."
His smile faded and a crease formed between his eyes when he saw the stoic expression on my face. He sat across from me. "What's wrong?"
I shook my head. "Nothing." I opened my folder and pulled out the report he had assigned the week before. Luckily, Shay had already completed it and had it in her folder, ready to turn in. She never was one to procrastinate.
"So, I thought about the invitation to come to dinner with your family...." Jack studied me, carefully gauging my reactions, and then turned his attention back to the books. "But we can talk about it another time."
"No." I looked up, giving him a small smile. "I'm sorry. I was just a bit distracted. So, would you like to come?"
He nodded as his lips curled into a smile. "Yes, I'd love to." He shrugged. "What harm could dinner do?"
I nodded, smiling. "Good. The only thing is, would you mind if we go out?"
His smile faded. "Why?"
I sighed, biting my lower lip, wondering how much to tell him. But after what I had just experienced with Amelia, I knew that the truth was best. Let the chips fall where they may. "Let's stop right here. There's something I need to tell you first before we go any farther."
He narrowed his eyes, his expression suddenly serious. "If it's because I'm your teacher, we can wait until you graduate��"
"No, that's not it," I said, cutting him off. "Jack, I have to be honest with you."
He nodded. "Okay. What about?"
"The reason why I had to cancel yesterday was because I had a doctor's appointment," I said.
Jack nodded. "Yes, I know. Your mother told me when she called to cancel." Then his expression turned serious again. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes and no," I replied. "I'm pregnant."
He sat there looking at me in stunned silence. "Did you know when you asked me to dinner the other day?"
"Yes, but I was going to tell you—"
He started packing up his books. "So, the only reason why you wanted to go out with me was to have a father for the baby?"
"Jack, no! Stop!" I said, placing my hand on his. Electricity shot through me as my heart pounded. "Jack, I like you. Forgive me, but I asked you out because I think you're sexy and I like you. And I didn't want to say anything about the baby until I found out the particulars." I motioned toward the chair. "Please sit. I'd like to talk. I don't want to lose you… not like this. You mean too much to me."
He studied me for a moment and then sank back down into his seat, his blond wavy hair glistening in the sunlight and broad shoulders taught under his shirt without flexing. "Okay. I'm listening."
"I know me asking you out now was rotten timing, but I didn't want to let this moment pass by and then never have a chance to tell you how I feel." I let out a deep breath. "I know I'm making a mess of this." I shook my head, letting out a deep breath. "But if you'd like to put this conversation on hold, we can."
Jack shook his head. "No. Tell me... and don't worry how it sounds." One corner of his lips curled into a sexy smile. "I promise to try to keep an open mind."
I nodded, grateful for his understanding. "Thanks. Now, what I'm going to tell you, it's not to play on your sympathy. I just want you to know the truth."
He nodded, releasing my hand. "I can live with that."
I sighed, knowing this was mine... er... Shay's one chance with Jack. "I was going through a rebellious time and... well... I met the father, and he had a motorcycle and was wild. One thing led to another and he wanted me to have an abortion. When I decided to keep the baby, he turned on me, telling me that he would deny it if I tried to 'pin it on him'." I sighed. "Anyway, I wasn't in love with him and I had no intention of marrying him anyway, even if he had asked. That said, I found out yesterday that I may lose the baby. The baby's sack is separating away from the uterine wall."
He reached over and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "Oh, Shay. I'm so sorry—"
"But they're giving me progesterone shots to try and save the baby." I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and then released it. "No matter how the baby got here, it's still my baby and I want to try and keep it."
Jack nodded. "That's admirable."
"The other day when I asked you out, I did it on a whim." I bit my lower lip and then released it. "I've liked you for a long time, but never said anything because you're my tutor and I didn't want to lose you. But I'm graduating soon and now I'm eighteen—"
"So, you thought you'd make a move now," Jack finished.
I shrugged. "I don't know. But I do know that once I graduate, I won't see you anymore and I didn't want the opportunity to pass by." I reached over and gently squeezed his hand again. "I know for a fact that if I didn't at least tell you how I feel, I'd regret it for the rest of my life." I looked into his eyes, willing him to understand. "I have no expectations and I sure didn't do it to 'have a father for my baby' I'm an independent woman and can take care of myself . I'd never expect a man to take care of me, especially not another man's baby."
"Sorry about that."
"It's okay," I replied. "With all of this out of the blue, what else were you supposed to think? Anyway, I'd just like to spend some time with you and see where it goes."
No matter what happened from here or how Jack reacted, I knew that at least I tried. I just hoped I hadn't ruined Shay's life in the process.