CHAPTER 5

OUT OF THE BAG 

Selena. 

Present. 

The man on the other side of the door is just as I remember—tall, muscular, and handsome. 

He looks like some sort of god, standing out there in a three piece suit that probably costs more than my college tuition. 

Staring at me with the same dark hungry look in his eyes, or maybe it's just a reflection from my eyes. 

"E-Ethan? What are you doing here?" I try again, after clearing my throat, and rubbing a sweaty hand on my shorts. 

What is he doing here?

I didn't even know he knew my place. I mean, after our midnight rendezvous four weeks ago, in the back of his car of all places, I haven't seen him. 

Which makes me remember that I'd been too desperate to even wait till we got to a room. 

His car, Selena! 

It's not like I haven't been seeing him ever since then. 

Ethan Spectra is famous. 

I mean, billionaire, and C.E.O to multiple companies famous. He's someone the tabloids talk about extensively, dissecting his life like it's theirs to handle. 

In a real world, people like us would never meet, but in the world where I got drunk at a bar, sulking over my ex who left me, we even had sex. 

A mistake that refuses to let me catch a break from it. 

It's not bad enough that I haven't been able to stop thinking of the guy ever since that day, now I actually have to tell him that we have a child coming. 

How do I even say that? 

Hi, Ethan! Just a quick word, remember when we had sex in your car, four weeks ago? Yeah, I'm now with child. 

Fuck, I should have been careful. 

Maybe a condom? But we weren't even patient enough for that. Now, this happened! 

Thankfully, Ethan clears his throat and speaks. "I was in the neighborhood, and I decided to drop by." His words sound a little stiff, like he's not aware he's even saying them. 

In the neighborhood? 

Does he mean the neighborhood I live in with my best friend since fresh out of college? This neighborhood? What would someone like him be doing here? 

"Uh, thanks I guess. Do you want to come in?" I manage to say, while avoiding his eyes. 

Shit, what am I doing?

Why will I want him to come in? We're not friends or anything. Before that night, I'd never said more than three words to the guy, and now I'm ushering him into my house? 

This is bad. 

Ethan's figure looms over the almost too small doorway, until he steps in, looking around a little lost, before moving to a seat. 

When he's comfortably seated, I glance at him, suddenly feeling a little shy in his presence. The alcohol did help a lot that night. 

Now, I suddenly can’t forget how much older than me he's supposed to be, and that he's James dad. Even though James doesn't have his eyes, their facial structure and build are quite similar. 

While James is a little leaner, and always has a cocky smile on his face—one I'd found endearing, but is actually irritating. 

Ethan is taller, and much firmer, and his features are more striking too. Or maybe, it's because I've slept with the guy, who knows? 

My throat suddenly feels a little scratchy, so I jump. "Would you like anything? A glass of water? Some juice? Coffee?"

I internally hope he chooses coffee. At least I'll get some time to arrange my thoughts before I have to face him again. 

Ethan offers me a surprisingly warm smile that causes my insides to tingle. "It's fine. I don't need anything. I'm the one who came here to see you. I don't want to make you fret over me."

Well, his voice is still that deep timbre that sparks something inside of me. I thought the alcohol made me like his voice, but it turns out, that's all me. 

Fuck. 

Instead of feeling glad, I nibble on my lip slowly, and settle down on the chair farthest from him. 

He watches every action I make, his eyes falling to my lips, and stay there a little too long. 

"Hello? Sel? Answer me!" 

I nearly jump out of my skin, when I hear Kate's voice again. 

I forgot she was on the phone earlier. 

Ethan shoots me a confused look, but I quickly grab the phone, and press it to my ear. 

"Hey, Kate. I'll call you back, okay? I have a visitor." I murmur into the receiver. 

"What? Who's that?" My best friend rushes back at me. 

I look back at Ethan, who is looking around the house. "Ethan." I answer simply. 

"Huh? Who?" 

"James' dad? The one from the club? Remember?" I try again, feeling a little agitated already. 

There's a bit of silence before she shrieks. "Oh my God! He's there? What is he doing there? Does you know you're carrying his baby yet? 

I pull the receiver away from my ear, and put it on hold, before turning back to Ethan. 

"Hey, I'm so sorry, but I'll be back. I just need to take this first." I offer an apologetic smile. 

He gives me a slow smile of his own, and for a moment I just freeze—lost in his gaze. 

It's hard to remember this man is more then twice my age, when he looks the way he does, and looks at me the way he does. 

"It's fine. I'll be waiting here." And that voice. Who can blame me for having a one night stand with the man? Ex's dad or not. 

"You know what? I'll make you a cup of coffee while I'm at it. Please make yourself comfortable." 

He nods, and I disappear into the kitchen, and press the phone to my ear. 

"No, he doesn't know about the pregnancy. Have you forgotten that I just found out now! And," I bite my lower lip. "I'm not sure I want to tell him."

"What? You can't do that, Sel."

"Why not? Look, we can’t work. We're from different worlds. It won't work. I'll take care of this myself."

How? I don't even know. 

"Sel, I don't think this is a good idea. He's the father of the child, he deserves to know." 

I'm about to retort, when I hear footsteps behind me, and I turn sharply. 

Ethan stares at me with a strange look on his face, and I follow his gaze to the item in his hand. 

Shit. 

The pregnancy strip. 

"Are you pregnant, Selena?"