What If I'm Pregnant...? by Carla Cassidy Read Free Book Online Page A

remains of a microwave dinner that sat next to a stack of catalogs.
    â€œYes…I already ate.”
    Tanner thought he heard a touch of disappointment in her voice and was surprised to find that he was disappointed, too.
    He told himself it was because he’d wanted an opportunity to sway Colette to his way of thinking, that if he could get her on his side, perhaps he could talk her into firing Gina and making her move out of the apartment. Then Gina would have no other choice than to return home.
    Colette looked at Gina once again. “You have a date?”
    Gina grinned, her eyes sparkling once again. “With Danny.”
    â€œOh, Gina. That’s wonderful! I know how much you’ve been hoping he’d ask you out!”
    Colette jumped up off the sofa and hugged Gina, the motion giving Tanner a tantalizing view of creamy thighs. He shifted from foot to foot and looked away, fighting a renewed burst of heat that stole through his body.
    â€œWell, then, I’ll just get out of here,” he said, his voice breaking the two women apart. Once again Colette sat down, her cheeks slightly pink as if she was aware that she was inappropriately dressed for company.
    â€œGood night, Tanner. Sorry about dinner,” she replied.
    He nodded, then looked at his sister. “Please, call my hotel room when you get home tonight so I’ll know you got back safely.”
    â€œOh, Tanner…honestly.” Gina rolled her eyes.
    â€œIt sounds like a simple enough request,” Colette said, and Tanner sent her a smile of gratitude.
    â€œAll right, all right. I’ll call you when I get in,” Gina agreed with a sigh of exasperation.
    â€œThank you,” Tanner replied, and kissed her on her forehead. He cast one final look at Colette, wondering how he was going to spend the hours of Gina’s date and why he wished he could spend them on the sofa with her roommate.

Chapter Four
    I t was after eleven when Colette got out of bed for a drink of water and thought she heard something, or someone, just outside her apartment door.
    At first she thought it might be Danny and Gina arriving home from their date. She looked out the peephole and spied a very tiny Tanner leaning against the wall opposite her apartment door.
    What on earth was he doing out there? In an instant the answer sprang to her mind. Dear God, the man was waiting for Gina to get home from her date.
    Gina would be positively horrified when she arrived back at the apartment with Danny and discovered big brother lurking in the hallway.
    She went back into her bedroom and pulled on a floor-length cotton robe, then went back to the front door and opened it.
    â€œTanner? Please don’t tell me you’re here for the reason I think you’re here.”
    â€œOkay. Why do you think I’m here?”
    â€œI think you’re here to spy on your sister.”
    He grinned, obviously undaunted by her accusation. “Not spy,” he protested. “I just figured I’d see for myself that she got home safe and sound.”
    Colette shook her head with a rueful smile. “I can’t believe you. At least come inside and wait for her. She’ll never forgive you if she comes home and finds you lurking in the hallway.”
    He hesitated. “Are you sure? I mean, it is rather late and I don’t want to bother you.”
    â€œI’m already bothered with a case of insomnia. Come on in and I’ll fix us some coffee.” As usual, she was intensely aware of him as he followed her through the living room and into the kitchen.
    She motioned him to the kitchen table, unable to help but notice that his big, bold presence seemed to overwhelm the glass-and-brass dinette set.
    â€œExcuse me if it’s none of my business,” she began as she quickly got the coffeemaker prepared. “But hasn’t Gina gone on dates before tonight?”
    â€œOf course,” he exclaimed. “She started dating