Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Hey,” Nate says, shaking me out of my intrusive thoughts. “What are—”
His phone rings, cutting him off. After he glances at it, he puts it back in his pocket.
“What—”
His phone rings again, and when he pulls it back out, his brow furrows. “Can you give me a second?” He looks at me nervously. “It’s my dad, and he never calls twice in a row.”
“Of course.”
My God, am I such a bitch that he’s scared to answer a call from his own family when he’s around me? Of course he is because when I’m not pushing him away, I’m forcing him to choose between being here with his baby and being in Dallas with his family. This whole situation sucks.
“Thanks,” Nate says. “I’ll just be a minute.”
He answers and turns his attention to his dad.
I don’t know what they’re talking about since I can only hear one side of the conversation, but from what I can gather, something has happened with a property they bought with the intention of building another hotel, and Nate’s dad needs him to go there to handle it.
Nate argues back and forth with his dad, and my stomach sinks at the thought that he’s arguing with him because of me. He doesn’t want to leave because of me. Once again, he’s being pulled in another direction because of me and our baby. And it’s always going to be like this if I can’t convince him to stay in Dallas.
Or you could move to Dallas?
Right…give up my house, my job, my friends…and then when he’s had enough of me—because let’s face it, everyone in my life eventually does—I’ll be stuck there, all alone.
Ugh, cue the woe is me pity party for one. Why can’t I just throw all my inhibitions out the window and jump in headfirst?
“Hey,” Nate says when he hangs up, cupping the side of my face. “What’s going through that beautiful head of yours? And please don’t lie.”
“I’ve never had anyone fight to stay with me,” I admit, my voice shaky with emotion. “Everyone in my life has always chosen to walk away. But you actually fight to stay. I’m just not sure what’s worse—them choosing to walk away or you being forced to stay here.”
“Let’s get one thing clear,” he says, moving his hand to my jaw and tipping it so I have no choice but to look into his eyes. “Nobody forces me to do anything. I’m right where I want to be. With you and our baby.”
“And what if there was no baby?” I blurt out.
“What?” He glances down at my stomach in confusion.
“I mean, what if I weren’t pregnant? Would you still be here? Choosing me over your job? Over the only home you’ve ever known? Over your family that you’re close to?”
I hate that my insecurities are driving me to ask these types of questions, but I need to know because nothing between us happened the way it was supposed to, and I can’t help but fear that he’s making his choices because of the baby and not because of me.
“When I took over the Kingston-Bradford partnership, I had no idea that you were pregnant,” he says. “All I knew was that I had been missing you like crazy for two months and I needed to see you.” His eyes bore into mine, and my heart clenches in my chest. “I tried like hell to respect your wishes, but I couldn’t do it. I came to Rosemary to see you.”
“And you’re staying because I’m pregnant.”
“No,” he corrects. “I’m staying because I fell in love with you. Do I want to be home with my family? I would be lying if I said I didn’t. I love my family and my job. But I love you too, Paige. And in life, we have to make decisions—”
“You mean sacrifices.”
“No,” he says, “choices, and I’m choosing you. I can visit my family anytime. I can get a new job. I can live with you, or we can buy a new house. But if I stay in Dallas, I don’t get you, and you’re everything I want, with or without the baby.”
I choke out a sob, and he pulls me into his arms.
“I love you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
He’s not going anywhere.
He wants to stay with me.
He’s choosing me.
But what about his family? By him staying here, his family is left without their future CEO. Bradford Hotels runs the risk of no longer being family-owned and-operated. And all because of my selfishness.
“Hey,” he says softly, wiping away a tear I didn’t realize had fallen. “What’s going on?”
I open my mouth to tell him what I overheard, but before I can get the words out, his phone buzzes in his pocket.
“It’s okay,” I tell him, forcing a smile. It’s bad enough he’s going to be leaving his family’s company for me. The least I can do is be understanding when they need him. “Answer that. Your family needs you.”