Then I saw Arabella walking out of the clinic, and it took nearly everything I had not to stop and ask her why she was there. Until I remembered how she’d said she needed to talk to someone before she could talk to me.
Had that been why she was there? I prayed it was. It was clear Bella needed help with whatever demons she was attempting to fight on her own.
“Fuck, what is going on, Arabella?” I asked as I hit the steering wheel. When would she trust me enough to tell me? I needed her to open up if we were going to make this work.
After a deep breath in, I sighed. “Patience, Hunter.”
Jack stood in the backseat and poked his head up next to mine. I smiled and wrapped my arm around his neck. “It’s okay, boy. Let’s go see how our girl’s been since we’ve been gone.”
Jack barked, making me laugh. He’d taken quite a liking to Bella. An almost protective role. He followed her everywhere, slept near her, sat near her. Even whined when I kissed her.
My phone buzzed, and I glanced down at it. It was a text message from Willa. I opened it to find a picture of Ciara and Ben. Ben was holding his baby sister while he sat on the sofa, wearing a wide smile as Ciara slept peacefully in his arms. I smiled and felt that familiar longing in my chest for a family of my own.
I sent Willa a text back with two hearts and a message that said I was planning on stopping by tomorrow to see the kids.
I put my truck back in drive and headed to Bella’s. When I pulled into her driveway, I frowned. Bishop’s truck was there, along with Aiden’s.
Had she mentioned inviting other people over, and I’d forgotten somehow? I really wanted to just spend time alone with her.
Jack barked to get out, knowing we were at Bella’s.
“Hold on. Christ. Someone would think you loved her more than me.”
After I opened the back door, Jack licked me and then jumped down. I laughed. “Is that your way of saying you love me more?”
He bounded up the steps and I followed, deciding to leave my coat in the truck.
I knocked, then opened the door. “Honey, I’m home!” I called out as I heard voices coming from Bella’s kitchen.
Aiden, Bishop, and Kyle all walked into the living room. Cat made a dash for Jack, and they both took off in a mad race around Bella’s small cabin.
“Where’s Noel?” I asked Bishop. Noel was the golden retriever puppy he’d given Abby on their wedding day. Their second wedding, that is. They’d gotten married on Christmas Eve, so Abby thought Noel was the perfect name for the puppy.
“She’s not stupid. She’s still in the kitchen with the food.”
Smiling, I reached for Bishop’s hand and shook it as I teased, “Long time no see. I didn’t know you guys would be here.”
Kyle shrugged. “Last-minute invite, so I forgot the pickup sticks.”
Bishop and I both laughed.
Abby came around the corner of the kitchen with Noel at her heels. She had a glow about her that seemed to light up the whole living room. I was glad that she and Bishop had worked out their issues. I’d honestly never seen two people so in love. Well, except for me and Bella before…
I let that thought drift away.
“You look beautiful tonight, Abby,” I said, walking over and kissing her cheek.
“Thanks. Arabella’s in the kitchen with Aiden.”
“Is Willa here too? She just texted me,” I asked as I headed toward the kitchen. When I walked around the corner, I saw that it was just Bella and Aiden in there. Bella’s head lifted and her eyes met mine—and I could tell immediately something was off.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Aiden cleared his throat, and Bella looked down at her hands, which were twisting the edge of her sweater. She never used to do that, but it was something I noticed she did often now…whenever she was nervous or uneasy.
I walked up to Bella. Placing my finger on her chin, I lifted her head. “Why is everyone here, Bella?”
“I, um…I asked them to be here.”
I nodded and glanced at Aiden, then back at her. “Okay.”
“We need to talk, Hunter.”
My heart slammed against my rib cage. “You’re not…breaking up with me…”
Her eyes went wide. “No! God, no. I told you, I’m not running anymore. I made you a promise, and I don’t intend on ever breaking it.”
“Then what’s going on?” I asked—before suddenly realizing I was about to get the answers I’d been waiting ten years for. My heartbeat started to pound in my chest, and I almost turned and walked right out the door. Who was the one running now?
“Let’s sit down in the living room, Hunter,” Aiden said.