Jennifer crossed her arms over her chest. Hurt mixed with betrayal glimmered in her eyes.
Garrett stepped toward her. She scampered back, maintaining distance between them. She didn't trust him. After all they'd shared, she thought he was married? That she meant no more than an extramarital affair? That he was the kind of man who would cheat on his wife?
Disgust washed up to the back of his throat. Could he have been that wrong?
"The call was from my mother."
"Your mother?"
"As far as your other question," he said shrugging, battling his hurt, "I'm divorced."
Her eyes widened. "You were married?"
"For five years."
"What happened?"
What happened? Good question and one he'd asked himself a thousand times prior to Emma's death. "She didn't like being a doctor's wife."
Jennifer's lower lip disappeared between her teeth.
"She died in an automobile accident earlier this year. Fortunately, the boys weren't with her."
"Boys?" She blinked. "As in your boys?"
Jennifer's shocked expression sucker-punched him.
"I should've told you." He sighed. "But, we started out as a fling, so our personal lives didn't seem to matter. When I realized how I felt about you, telling you about the boys had become complicated for the mere reason that I hadn't already told you."
"You have kids?" she repeated, looking pale, shocked and like she might pass out.
Great. This wasn't going as expected. Or maybe it was. She'd said she didn't want kids. He was telling her he had two. Just what had he expected? That she'd suddenly change her mind because they were talking about his kids?
This was why he hadn't told her. Because he'd known the moment he did, nothing would ever be the same. But God, he'd hoped their feelings for each other would be enough for her to give being a part of his life a chance.
"Two boys," he repeated, trying not to sound defensive. "Twins. Ethan and Ian. They're four."
Jennifer sank onto the sofa and dropped her head into her hands. Her entire body shook. She laughed, almost hysterically. "You're a father. Of twins."
Laughter? He'd expected her to be angry that he hadn't told her. Or angry that he wasn't the uber-sexy single guy he'd let on to be over the past few weeks.
"I'm a father," he admitted as if to reinforce the reality of who he was. No matter how much he loved Jennifer, if she couldn't accept his children, they had no future.
"I had planned on taking them to the space center this afternoon. Come with us," he said suddenly. "I want you to meet my children. They'll love you, Jennifer, and as full of energy as they are, I wouldn't trade them for the world. Give them a chance." He moved to stand in front of her. "Give us a chance."
Her laughter silenced, she glanced up, met his gaze. Tears ran down her cheeks.
Garrett's chest tightened around his heart, squeezing the flopping organ until he worried it might burst from the pressure.
"Don't cry." He knelt in front of her, wiped her tears. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the twins. Surely it's not that bad, my being a father. The boys are good kids. I can't imagine you not liking them once you've met them."
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