“Christ, Ellie, are you listening to yourself? You have no idea what kind of people they accept. You could have some wacko’s baby and not even know it.”

“No, that’s not true,” she denies vehemently. “All donors go through a rigorous screening process.”

I grunt, having a hard time believing that.

“It’s true,” she insists. “But it doesn’t have to be a stranger, you know …”

My gaze snaps back to hers, suspicion forming at the sudden shift in her tone.

“It could be someone I know. Someone I love and trust.” Her voice is soft now, each word carefully chosen. “Like … my best friend.”

A harsh laugh rips from my chest, the insinuation so outlandish it’s all I can manage.

“Hear me out,” she rushes to say, placating me with her hands. “This could be a win for the both of us.”

“Yeah? And how do you figure that?” I ask, wondering when she went and lost her damn mind.

“You never want to get married or commit to anyone, right?”

I don’t bother responding since we both know the answer to that question.

“But you and I”—she gestures between us—“we’re already committed. Which means we can be parents without having to worry about all that messy stuff like sex and relationships. Well, you’ll still have sex, I’m sure,” she adds on an awkward laugh. “And hopefully one day I’ll get married, but that won’t change anything between us.”

If she’s hoping this is a selling point for me, she’s got another thing coming.

“Just think, you’re going to be part of my child’s life either way. But instead of being Uncle Gunnar, you could be Daddy Gunnar.” She presents this to me like it’s the opportunity of a lifetime as if it’s not completely certifiable.

“You know, Elle,” I begin, my tone surprisingly calm. “You have said and done a lot of crazy shit over the years, but this one takes the fucking cake.”

Her excitement deflates. “Why?” she asks, sounding genuinely confused. “Why would it be so crazy for us to be parents together?”

“There’s a plethora of fucking reasons,” I bellow, my frustration boiling over. “For starters, I don’t know the first thing about being a father.”

She’s completely unfazed by this. “So? I don’t know how to be a mother.”

I throw my hands up. “There you go. All the more reason why it’s crazy for you to even be talking about this.”

She rolls her eyes. “Being a parent isn’t something you already know how to do, Gunnar. It’s something you learn. Sure, we’ll make mistakes, but what matters is growing from them and loving our child through it all.”

The way she speaks about it, as if she is already carrying my baby, ignites another wave of panic through my chest.

Shoving from my chair, I begin pacing the room, needing to expel these overwhelming emotions trying to suffocate me.

“I wouldn’t ask you to do this with me if I didn’t think you would be an amazing father,” she says. “I know you, Gunnar. I know your heart. Just look at the way you have taken care of me all these years.”

I come to a hard stop, gaping at her in disbelief. “You’re a human being, Ellie!”

“So is a baby.” She laughs. “They grow into children then become adults just like we did.”

“You know what I mean,” I counter, refusing to show any humor in this. “Have you thought this through, Elle? I mean really thought about it?”

Annoyance sparks in her gaze. “No, Gunnar, I haven’t. I just woke up this morning and thought, ‘Gee, I think I want to be a mom. I wonder if Gunnar will be the father. I’m going to bring him lunch and ask’,” she mocks sarcastically. “Of course I’ve thought about it. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, but since I’m a twenty-four-year-old virgin, I figure it’s time to assess my options!” Her voice pitches at the last part, loud enough that it trails out of the office and draws Mitch’s attention as he walks by.

He stops in his tracks, his eyes flaring wide as he looks over at us.

“Mind your fucking business.” I slam the door shut in his face before turning back on Ellie. “You’re the one who needs to keep it down. No one needs to know you’re a damn virgin.”

“Oh, please,” she scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “Considering my lack of dating life, I’m sure it doesn’t come as a shock to anyone.”

Maybe not, but I know what it does to a man to hear that, and I don’t need to be firing anyone for getting hard for her or even worse, trying to be the one to take it from her … I quickly shove the thought away before I really lose my shit.

“What about your business?” I ask, thinking about all the hard work she has put into it.

“What about it?” She shrugs. “I can be a mom and have a business. Women do it all the time.”

“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”

Anger sharpens her features. “I’m not stupid, Gunnar. I know what this is going to take, and I am prepared to put the work in.”

I drop my head, frustrated that I am not getting through to her.

“Look, I’m sorry. I know this is a lot to take in,” she says, making the biggest fucking understatement of the century. “This isn’t how I wanted to tell you. I thought I would have more time.”

“That’s just it, you do, Ellie,” I press, wondering why she doesn’t understand that. “You have all the time in the world.”

“Actually, I don’t,” she murmurs, her voice barely audible.

A fresh wave of panic infiltrates my chest. “What are you talking about?”

Her tongue flicks out, nervously wetting her lips. “The clinic I’ve been seeing had a cancellation, and I took the slot.”

Every muscle in my body locks up tight, including my breath. “When?” I croak, barely managing that one word.

She hesitates, her silence unbearable.

“When, Ellie?” I growl, my tone rough.

She straightens, finding her resolve. “Friday.”

“Friday!” I roar, my voice reaching a level I never knew I had. “Are you fucking insane? No! Absolutely not. I forbid this.”

She jerks back, eyes wide. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You’re not doing this.”

She lunges from her chair, jabbing a finger into my chest. “You listen to me, Gunnar Brooks. No one tells me what I can or can’t do, and that includes you.”

I meet that challenge head-on. “Wrong, sweetheart. You need me for this, and I say no.”