Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I don’t know how long we sit there, but eventually, the tension slowly releases, and she leans into me. “I’m here, Baylor. Whatever it is, I’m right here,” I tell her.
“I… I’m embarrassed to tell you. It’s—I’m being stupid.”
“Hey now, none of that. No one talks about my girl like that.”
She turns her head and gives me a half smile.
“Better, but that’s not the smile I’m used to seeing. I mean it, Bay, there is nothing you can’t talk to me about.” I know he crushed her, and her trust is fragile, so I wait. I’ll sit here as long as it takes, because she is what’s important.
I’m not sure how much time has passed, minutes… hell, it could be hours. Her cries have stopped, but she’s still not talking. I shift slightly beneath her, brushing a hand up her back. “Hey… stand and turn for me,” I murmur.
She hesitates, confused, but she slowly stands, and I guide her gently until she’s straddling my lap, her knees on either side of me. It’s not about anything other than being closer to her. I need to see her, really see her. My hands settle at her waist, steadying her as she sniffles, avoiding my gaze.
“Look at me,” I say softly.
It takes a second, but her eyes finally lift to mine. They’re glassy, rimmed red, and they completely wreck me.
“There you are,” I whisper. I hold her gaze, waiting her out. I can sit here all day.
“I got my period,” she says, her voice soft, like admitting it cost her something.
“Okay.” I nod, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. This, I can handle. I grew up with a mother. I know this time of the month can be emotional and painful. “This is what we’re going to do. I’m going to take you to my place. While I’m making your favorite fried chicken for dinner, you’re going to take a hot bath. After we eat, I’ll make you the biggest ice cream sundae you can imagine, hold you, massage your back, and set you up with a heating pad. Whatever you need, Baylor. You tell me how I can help, and I’ll do it.”
Another tear slips down her cheek, and this time, I catch it with my thumb before it can fall. Leaning in, I press a soft kiss to the tip of her nose, which earns me another small, watery smile.
“I’m not in pain. I mean, not any more than normal,” she confesses. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her what’s wrong, but she beats me to it. “I didn’t want it, Mac. I thought maybe…I thought maybe I might be pregnant. I don’t know why I’m crying like this,” she says, her voice cracking, and fuck if her confession doesn’t floor me and excite me all at once.
“You don’t have to know why,” I tell her gently. “You’re hurting. That’s enough.”
Her lips tremble, and she leans forward, pressing her forehead against mine like she doesn’t have the energy to hold herself up anymore. I tighten my hold on her automatically, one hand sliding up her back, slow and steady.
“I didn’t know I wanted to be,” she whispers. “Not until I knew for certain that I wasn’t.”
“Hey,” I murmur, tilting my head so I can still catch her eyes. “You don’t have to handle this alone. That’s my job, too, remember?” I’m trying to say the right thing, but all I keep thinking is that she wanted my baby. The woman I love, the one I’ve wanted for years, she’s here, on my lap, crying because she wants my baby.
Mine.
A shaky breath leaves her, somewhere between a laugh and another sob.
“I meant what I said,” I continue, softer now. “We can still go to my place. Hot bath, food, heating pad, all of it. Or… we stay right here for a bit if that’s what you need. No rush.”
“You don’t think I’m crazy?” she asks, her voice small.
I laugh. “No, baby, you’re not crazy.”
“If I were…?” she asks, her voice trailing off.
“If you were, you’d make me the happiest man alive. I told you, Baylor, you’re it for me. I’m all in, beautiful. I know I told you that I’d give you space and not push you, but… what do you want, Baylor? Don’t worry about hurting my feelings.” I move one of my hands to rest over her heart. “Tell me what’s in here.”
Her blue eyes shimmer with tears, but she blinks them back. “I want you.”
My heart hammers inside my chest at her soft confession. “I’m yours.”
“I’m so scared, Macklin, but this morning, when I knew for sure I wasn’t pregnant, it’s like something clicked. The past few months, you’ve been there. Steady and strong and so patient. I still worry that you might change your mind, but that’s my past talking. I know that’s not who you are. There may be more moments like this one,” she says as she places her palms on my cheeks, “but if you’ll have me—”