“Maybe he really was talking out of anger and didn’t mean what he said,” Claire suggests.
“We’ve all done it,” Mo adds.
“Trust me, I get it. I know. But how am I supposed
to trust his feelings for me after hearing him say he doesn’t want a family and will never be able to fall in love?”
“But didn’t he tell you he loves you?” Tess asks, scrunching her forehead.
“Yes, and that’s just it. He told me he loves me mere minutes after vowing never to fall in love. How do I know what to believe? And it’s not just me anymore,” I say, resting a hand on my stomach. “I have a baby to think about.”
Mo wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
“So, what are you going to do now?” Claire asks.
“I’m going to cry and eat the rest of these delicious brownies, and then I’m going to take a few days to myself and process what all of this means.” I wave a hand over my stomach. “And then I’m going to tell Lincoln about the baby.”
Mo slides the box in front of me. “That sounds like a solid plan.”
I grab another brownie and stare at it for a moment. When I take a bite and look up, Claire is smiling.
“Don’t judge me. I need this brownie more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life.”
Tears fill her eyes, and Claire shakes her head. “I’m not judging.”
“Then why are you staring at me like that?”
“You’re pregnant,” she whispers, smiling tremulously. She reaches toward my belly. “May I?”
I nod my head and scoot back. Claire lays a hand on my stomach. “There’s a tiny baby in there.” Leaning down she whispers, “I’m going to be the best darn aunt you’ve ever had.”
“Me too,” Mo says, resting her hand on Claire’s.
Tess puts her hand on top of Mo’s. “I’m not going to legally be your aunt, because I refuse to marry your uncle Beau or Cooper, but I promise to love you and take care of you.”
“Oh, you guys.” Big, fat tears streak down my face, and I put my arms around my sisters, because that’s what they are to me.
When my phone vibrates, I peek over Claire’s shoulder and see a text from Lincoln.
And your laugh. You have an infectious laugh.
28
Lincoln
I stand outside my house and stare at the front door. It’s been two days since Adley walked away. Two days since I fucked up the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ve given her the space she asked for, and it’s killing me. I knew I’d fallen in love with Adley, but I didn’t realize how much I needed her until she was gone. I miss everything: her smile, laugh, the way she crinkles her nose when she’s studying. I miss her hand linked with mine and kissing her goodnight. I miss every fucking thing. And it’s only been two days.
The look of hurt on her face when she pulled away from me at the hospital is still fresh in my mind. It destroyed me not to chase after her.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not letting her go. That woman is mine whether she likes it or not. But I’ve got to convince her of that.
I sent her a text that first night, and again last night, of something I love about her—something real and tangible, not just a feeling. Because I want her to believe me, and I want her to know I’m thinking of her and missing her.
Pulling my phone out, I stare at the two texts I’ve sent and work on deciding what to type next. There are millions of things I love about Adley, so I choose the first one that comes to mind.
You have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known. You love deeply, and I love that about you.
Tucking my phone in my pocket, I walk up the steps to my house, hating that I’ll be here without her. I’ve been dreading coming back home, choosing instead to spend all of my time at the hospital with Dad. Today the doctor released him, and I had no choice but to leave with him.