Tiana never thought she'd be loitering outside a downtown building lobby in a trench coat and sunglasses, looking like a nervous private investigator. But here she was.
Across the street stood Callahan & West Architecture, a sleek glass building with minimalist branding and sharp black accents. Nate Callahan's LinkedIn—thank you, Jasmine's LinkedIn Premium trial—listed him as a junior partner. And under "Team," there he was.
Leonardo Callahan. Lead Design Architect.
No mistaking it. It was him.
"I can't believe this is actually happening," she whispered, adjusting her sunglasses like they'd shield her from the truth.
Jasmine's voice crackled in her ear through an AirPod. "You got this, Tee. Just go in, ask for him, and tell him you're not here to sue him or sell him Girl Scout cookies."
Tiana snorted. "That's oddly specific."
"I've watched way too many rom-coms for this moment."
With a final deep breath, Tiana crossed the street and stepped into the lobby. The air inside smelled like lemon polish and designer cologne, and the receptionist greeted her with a practiced smile.
"Hi, welcome to Callahan & West. Do you have an appointment?"
Tiana swallowed. "Um… not exactly. I'm here to see Leonardo Callahan."
The receptionist paused, sizing her up with the same expression TSA agents use when you "randomly" get flagged.
"Is he expecting you?"
"No. But it's… personal."
A moment passed. Then the woman nodded and picked up the phone. Tiana's heart beat in her ears.
Minutes ticked by like hours. She was just about to bolt when the elevator dinged—and out he stepped.
Leo.
Dressed in a crisp navy blazer, dark jeans, and that same magnetic presence that turned her insides upside down the night they met. He was mid-sentence with someone else, laughing—until his eyes landed on her.
His smile faltered. Eyebrows lifted in quiet surprise.
He dismissed his colleague, then walked slowly toward her.
"Tiana," he said, stopping a foot away. "Wow. I didn't expect to see you again."
His voice was just as she remembered—smooth, low, unsettlingly calm.
"I didn't expect a need to see you again also," she replied, voice steady but heart pounding.
He tilted his head. "Everything okay?"
Tiana hesitated. Then nodded once. "Can we talk somewhere private?"
Ten Minutes Later – A Rooftop Lounge Above the Office
They sat opposite each other, the city skyline stretching behind him like a painted canvas. The hum of traffic buzzed faintly below.
Leo leaned forward. "So… what's this about?"
Tiana met his gaze, trying not to flinch. "I'm pregnant."
Silence.
His face didn't shift right away. He blinked, sat back slowly, as if her words needed time to echo.
She continued. "It's been a little over eight weeks. It's yours."
He looked away, rubbing his jaw with one hand. "Damn."
Tiana braced herself—for denial, defensiveness, excuses. But when he spoke, his voice was quieter than before.
"You're sure?"
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."
Another pause. Then, "Okay."
Tiana blinked. "Okay?"
Leo exhaled and looked at her again. "Look, I'm shocked. I mean, it was one night. But… I'm not running from it."
She wasn't expecting that. No panic. No anger. Just… a man trying to absorb a life-altering truth.
"I don't want anything from you," she said quickly. "Not money. Not pity. I just thought you deserved to know."
"Well," Leo said, standing slowly, "I don't know what I'm supposed to feel yet, but I do want to be part of this. If you'll let me."
Her heart skipped. "You do?"
"I don't know what kind of dad I'd be. Mine wasn't great. But I'm not gonna vanish, Tiana."
And just like that, the mystery man from the club became something else—real. Tangled. Complicated.
And suddenly… not so alone.