One Night Stand: A Secret Baby Romance (Love Me Again Book 3)

by Ted Evans

  “You don’t have to worry about me,” I said reassuringly. “I never forgot about you after that night, I’d keep thinking of you randomly and wondering how you were. I didn’t know how to find you. But now that I have you right in front of me, you can believe that I won't be going anywhere this time.”

  She looked at me for the longest time, but I was sure she believed me.

  This time, I didn’t insist on taking her home. I got her a cab and said goodbye, then went back to my hotel room.

  The next day, she told me where to meet up so she could take me back to her home. Technically, it was a weekday and she had classes, but when I asked, she just said that it was something worth skipping over and she’d handle it later.

  We stopped outside of her house, and I was so damn nervous. Her parents probably wouldn’t like me from the get-go. After having a one night stand with their daughter, I disappeared and left her alone and pregnant. I wasn’t there to offer support during the pregnancy or the child’s first year.

  Klara tentatively took my hand in hers, and when I glanced down at her, she smiled at me.

  “You don’t have to be so worried. Trust me, the one they’re more mad at right now is me, so you’re in the clear.”

  I chuckled and ran my other hand through my hair. I was trying to impress them, as I’d dressed even more carefully than when I’d been preparing to go to the school for Dad’s speech.

  It’s kinda hard to believe that was only a week ago.

  Under Klara’s coaxing, we walked forward. She opened the door, and led us inside. Everyone was waiting in the living room, bother her parents and her younger siblings. Even Ben was there, and I found myself startled. Even though I already knew he was mine, seeing him was still a different feeling. Especially since he had my same colored hair. Compared to Klara’s family who all had lighter hair, my hair was dark, just like my dad’s. Klara’s eyes were brown, and Ben’s eyes were the same blue as mine.

  My attention was pulled away from my son when her parents stood up and turned to us.

  “Mom, Dad,” she said carefully. “This is Jake Black, the man I told you about.”

  I saw how their eyes slid down to where we were holding hands. I flexed my hand, feeling nervous, wondering if maybe I shouldn’t be holding her hand. Klara wasn’t letting go, though, even as they came forward, hands extended for a shake. She was holding my left hand, anyway.

  “We’ve heard so much about you,” her mom said with a smile. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Jake.”

  Her dad didn’t say anything, but he didn’t try to strangle my hand when he shook it, either, and I took it as a good sign.

  “Good evening, sir, ma’am,” I said. “My name is Jake and I just recently found out I’m Ben’s father. Klara’s already explained everything to me, and I assure you, I want to know my son. I would love to. And so would my parents.”

  I had nothing to do but think when I went back to my hotel room last night, so of course, I’d called up my parents to give them the surprising news.

  They didn’t once doubt my word, or Klara’s, even if they’d never met her. It wouldn’t be so hard for a woman to come to me, then try to use me because of my family’s background. It was a great deal of why I’d always been careful about the people I hung around.

  Both my parents were shocked, but happy to hear the news. Dad was even more eager than Mom. He’d insisted right there that I do a video chat, and I got to see him smiling happily for the first time in a long while.

  I’m a granddad. I can't believe it. You, go and meet that family, your mother and I will be coming to see them, too. Knowing this…makes me feel alive a little. If you blow it before we get there, you better run and hide somewhere I won't find you, Jake.

  I’d rolled my eyes, and Mom had laughed, because we both knew he was joking, but his excitement hadn't been a lie.

  As for Klara and me. We needed to get to know each other one step at a time. We’d already talked things through. We didn’t know each other enough, and I couldn’t take Ben away from her, either. We’d agreed that no matter what, we would do right by our son.

  Epilogue

  Klara

  I stood nervously in the crowd. I didn’t know what was going on.

  It was graduation day, and I knew that my name was on the list, but for some reason, my name had been skipped over. My eyes kept flitting to the side of the stage, right at the edge where Jake sat. He wasn’t alone. From where he was, we could see each other perfectly, and the few times I’d met his eyes, he’d given me a mysterious smile that had me burning with curiosity.

  This has something to do with him, right?

  My parents were somewhere in the audience section of the crowd. His parents were there, too, the doting grandparents were looking after Ben for us because both Jake and I were busy on this very important day.

  More and more names were being called, and I frowned, wanting to throw a tantrum, but not daring to. Because they were calling the names out alphabetically by surname, I should have been called in the second half, but still close to the middle than the end. I just wanted to receive my degree and be done with today.

  So what the hell is with this delay?

  When Jake met my gaze again, I pouted. He winked. It was such a quick movement, that if I’d be any further back, I might not have seen. But the graduates were arranged close to the platform, and just in the side where Jake was seated as well, and there was nothing wrong with my eyesight. Then, he looked away, to where the names were being read.

  I growled underneath my breath, then focused again. I might have been less restless if Julia was with me, but thanks to the arrangements, we were sitting far apart.

  My mind wandered as I listened to more names being called that weren’t mine.

  Over the past year or so, a lot of things had changed. I already had my future set, and I would have both Jake and our son in it, which was why I was in such a hurry for it.

  His parents, ever since they first came by, had been visiting just as much as Jake did, if not even more. It was regrettable that they lived so far away, but they also owned a private jet and weren’t averse to using it. Also, since neither of them had any obligations, they would come to New York and find a hotel to stay at for long periods of time before going back to California for a short time, then coming back.

  Jake was the one who wasn’t having an easier time. His parents had been talking of buying a place to live in the area, but Jake was still CEO of the company, and the main branch was in California, so he had to go back often. Our parents got along really well, and I got used to seeing them around often. Some of his other family had also dropped by, but we saw a lot less of them.

  My relationship with Jake had done well since then, too. I hadn't been sure, but we were still together, and we were in love with each other. I felt giddy every time I thought about it, but right then, I wanted to stomp up that stadium and smack him.

  I was nervous enough about my graduation, and I had no idea what he was planning. I hadn't even known he would be seated up at the platform until we arrived and were shown to our seats. He wasn’t the only one up there, but how could my eyes not focus on him?

  Finally, the last person was called up the platform, and I watched with flattened lips as they went up the stage, took their degree and shook hands, just long enough for pictures to be taken. Then, they moved on.

  Immediately, my eyes turned to Jake. He didn’t look at me this time, though, because he was already standing. He moved to the podium, also shook a few hands, and the microphone was handed over. One other thing changed hands, and I stared at the piece of rectangular paper that looked surprisingly like a certificate. Jake shot a smile my way, before he spoke.

  “Good afternoon, everyone,” he started. “I know you’re all about ready for this to be over. I apologize, but I’m going to be taking over this event. Only for the end, though.”

  Low murmurs spread over the crowd. I wasn’t the only one that h
ad no idea what was going on.

  “Now,” he continued. “Originally, I was called here to hand out the degrees to the graduates as they came up here, but to be honest, and no offense to the rest of you, I only wanted to do it for one particular student. I don’t know if there’s a precedent for it, but I asked for this favor, and it was allowed.”

  The murmurs grew louder. A suspicion was growing in my chest, but at this point, it had to be more than a suspicion, right? If someone else hadn't had their name called, I would be mad, but either way, I was nervous now.

  I had this feeling that Jake was going to do something nice that was going to make me feel embarrassed in front of such a big crowd.

  Jake smiled. “You already know who you are, but once I call your name, come on up.”

  I fisted my hands at my sides, praying that he would, and that he wouldn’t, call my name.

  Of course, he called my name.

  There was applause as I slowly made my way up the stage, but not quite as loud as it had been before. Everyone was still confused.

  Meanwhile, Jake was still talking.

  “Klara,” he said, our eyes meeting from across the platform. “Our meeting wasn’t conventional by any means, and the journey since then has been wonderful. I know that this is an important day for you, and I wanted to make it even more special.”

  I pursed my lips, but didn’t scowl at him the way I wanted to, because I could feel all eyes on me, and it made my heart flutter in nervousness. Maybe I should have told Jake I had stage fright?

  Jake held his hand out, and the last certificate was placed in his hands. With a smile, he held it out to me, and I hurried forward a bit to receive it with both hands.

  “Congratulations on graduating from NYU,” he said.

  Then, he reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small, black box. I didn’t clue into what was happening, until he fell on one knee. My eyes widened as I gasped, and I almost dropped my certificate.

  “Klara,” he started. Everyone had already realized what was going on, and noise started, almost drowning him out. “You’re an amazing woman and I’m crazy about you. Will you marry me?”

  I blinked my eyes rapidly, mostly shocked, but starting to tear up a little. I was no longer so conscious of the crowd. How could I be, with the most wonderful man down on one knee in front of me asking me to marry him?

  Everyone was pretty much cheering and screaming by that point. I heard them, but I didn’t care. My eyes never once left Jake’s as he waited patiently for my answer, looking like he wouldn’t mind kneeling there for several minutes, as long as it took for me to bring myself to give a reply.

  Guess what I said?

  With the widest grin, almost squinting my eyes closed, I nodded and said, “Yes.”

  ###The End###

  More Books by Ted Evans…

  Book 1 in the Love Me Again Series.

  One Last Time

  Timing was never on our side…

  He was my first love back in college.

  I thought that he would propose, that he wanted me to be his forever.

  But he didn’t and I turned my back on him and moved on.

  Six years later and he sees me in a wedding dress.

  He thinks that finally, I’ve got the one thing that I’ve always wanted....marriage.

  I want to be his bride, and only his forever.

  I’m pretending to be a fake bride.

  Wondering if maybe just maybe he’ll want us to be together forever, one last time.

  Author's Note:

  This is a standalone novel, with no cheating and a happy ever after romance story.

  Chapter One

  Brooklyn

  A loud ring interrupted my sleep, but I closed my eyes and ignored it, rolling over in bed and pulling my covers on top of my head. I wasn’t ready to wake up yet and I had time off from work, so I intended to at least sleep in. But the loud ringing didn’t stop, and I groaned.

  “Go away already! It’s too damn early…”

  Finally, the ringing stopped. I was just about to settle back in, when I heard a door slam open, and a loud voice called out.

  “Chief! Hey, chief! You better not still be in bed or I will beat your ass black and blue!”

  At the sound of the voice, I could only wake up. Pushing myself so I was sitting up in bed, I rubbed my eyes and yawned. A moment later, my bedroom door was opening, and my friend, Nora, stepped inside. She had a heavy scowl on her face as she stood there with arms on her hips.

  “Brooklyn! Don’t be lazy today of all days! If I’d known you would be like this, I would have made you stay with me! I’ve been waiting for an hour already.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her and grumbled, “Noisy. This is why I didn’t want to stay with you in the first place, okay? You’re so damn annoying when you’re excited. What time is it?”

  “It’s almost eight in the morning,” Nora said with a huff, folding her arms over her chest.

  My eyes widened. “Wait, really?” I looked around the room, then saw my cell on the nightstand to the right. I picked it up, and sure enough, it was eight minutes to eight. “What do you mean you’ve been waiting on me for an hour? Just how early did you even wake up…?”

  The soft, fluffy bed was calling to me, but seeing Nora standing there eyeing me like she was ready to toss me out of it, I reluctantly got up. I pushed off the sheets and slid my legs off the side, standing up and wobbling over to the bathroom. I was staying in my friend’s apartment for free, much to the annoyance of Nora who wanted me to stay with her.

  “We’ve got our appointment at nine thirty, Brooklyn. We absolutely can't be late, okay? Do you know how difficult it was to even get that appointment?”

  I shot a dark look at her over my shoulder. “It’s not like it’s that far, Nora. And besides, there’s nothing wrong with you going ahead and calling me to come after. You don’t actually need me to hold your hand…”

  “Of course, I do. Why else would I have had you come here? Because we’re friends?”

  Her face was full of derision, but I just rolled my eyes and didn’t take her seriously.

  Nora was my best friend, and even in the six years since I’d left New York, that status hadn't changed. We were used to talking to each other, so I knew no matter what was still my best friends. Even with the distance between us, we’d visited and talked often, but this was my first time back in New York since I left, and it was because Nora was getting married.

  I knew she was dating, but when I heard her boyfriend proposed, I was surprised, seeing as they´d only dated for three months, and here I was, a couple months after the proposal, Nora’s appointed chief bridesmaid.

  I was with him. The one whose name I try not to say out loud for years, part of me was envious when Nora said that she’d only been dating a few months before she got the magic ring.

  As I walked into the bathroom and stripped to have a quick shower, my thoughts went back to six years ago. Back when Nora and I graduated, and I was the happiest woman in the world…only, it didn’t last.

  Quickly finishing up with the shower, I grabbed a towel to wrap around my hair, and the other around my body, leaving the bathroom and leaving those thoughts behind as well.

  It’s all in the past, I tried to tell myself. It was just being back in New York that was making my thoughts of the past stronger.

  In the bedroom, Nora had made herself at home on the bed. She also had an outfit laid out for me, which meant she’d gone through my things. I looked at the dress she’d picked for me, and frowned.

  “There’s no way I’m wearing a dress that short,” I said, eyeing her maxi dress clad body pointedly. “New York is far too cold for that.”

  “If you weren’t planning on wearing it, then why did you even bring it?” she retorted.

  “I packed that for special occasions, not for going out with you to pick your wedding dress. I have some jeans, I’ll just put on a pair.”

  She purse
d her lips, but didn’t say anything as she watched me put the dress back in my suitcase and pulled out a pair of jeans, a white top, and a leather jacket. I stared at her until she sighed and got off the bed to leave me to get dressed.

  “What are you being so shy for? I’ve already seen all there is to see,” she complained.

  “It’s been six years, what if something’s changed, huh?” I challenged. “I could have gotten a piercing or a tattoo or something.”

  Nora paused and looked back at me. “Really?”

  She looked curiously, but I pushed her out of the bedroom. Like hell I would do something so crazy. Not only was I very afraid of physical pain, even with all the emotional pain I left New York with, it was never enough to do something so reckless, no matter how drunk I got.

  I dressed up quickly and met Nora in the living room. I wanted to go to the kitchen and whip up something to eat, but she just grabbed me and impatiently dragged me outside.

  “Nora, I haven’t eaten anything,” I whined.

  “Doesn’t matter, we can get something on the way.”

  Her voice was a mix of anxiety and eagerness. So, I let her do as she pleased and smiled secretly behind her back.

  The real reason I wasn’t staying with Nora, was because I knew she would need some time to herself. She was excited to be getting married, but she was just as equally anxious, which was why I’d had to take a couple weeks off work and come be with her as she finished the preparations for her hasty wedding. If I stayed with her, she’d keep me awake all night talking her anxiety and excitement out, and we wouldn’t get anything done.

  There was also how she kept waking up too early and expecting me to follow her everywhere. It was my first time off from work in a while, yet looking after an overly excited Nora took more out of me than my job did.

  We did stop by somewhere to have some coffee and muffins, then headed to the bridal store to look at wedding dresses. We were a bit early for the appointment, but since the store didn’t have any prior appointments, it wasn’t a problem. The attendant that met us led us to some seats that were situated around one of the platforms where women stood on display with their dresses, and handed us a portfolio.