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)
“Sorry I called so late,” he mutters. “It’s been a crazy day.”
“Any news on the bones?”
“Not yet.” He sighs and drops onto the edge of the bed. “Tell me something good.”
As I’m thinking of something to say, a flutter spreads throughout my belly, and I smile. “I can feel the baby inside me,” I tell him.
“What?” His eyes widen. “Like, kicking?”
“It’s more like a flutter. At first, I thought it was gas,” I admit, my face warming in embarrassment. “But after it happened a few more times, I realized it’s the baby.” My hand goes to my belly, and I rub it, hoping my little guy or girl can feel how much I already love them.
“That’s wonderful,” Nate says with a smile. “I can’t wait to feel it once it gets stronger.”
Speaking of which…
“When are you coming back?” I ask since the ultrasound appointment is in two days.
“I don’t know,” he says with a sigh. “Everything here is fucked. Our attorneys are working around the clock, but the county is dragging their feet.” He pulls the phone back and then sighs again. “Hey, I hate to cut our talk short but—”
“No, no! Go!” I tell him without letting him finish.
He doesn’t owe me anything, and this is exactly why I’ve been pushing for us to focus on figuring out our roles as parents and not on us. It’s obvious Nate cares about his family’s company—as he should—and asking or expecting him to walk away from it all is selfish. I know he’s hell-bent on doing it anyway to prove that he’s all in, but when he gets back, we’re going to need to sit down and discuss this because I can’t imagine Nate being happy, walking away from everything just to, what, take a chance on us? When the fact is, he can be a father in Dallas. It won’t be perfect, and a lot of travel will have to take place, but I can’t be the reason he gives up everything…even if I want to be.
He looks like he wants to argue despite being the one who needs to go, so, before he can, I tell him good night and hang up. And then I spend the rest of the night trying to figure out how to convince him—and myself—that him going back to Dallas is for the best.
“Hey, Paige. We’re going over to Kira and Ryder’s for dinner. Wanna go?”
I look up from the email I’m typing and shake my head. “Thanks, but I’m a bit tired. I think I’m going to grab takeout and get into my pajamas and binge-watch something on Netflix.”
Today has been a shitty day, starting with Nate not calling this morning—like he’s been doing every day. He texted that he was sorry things have been a mess and had flowers sent to my office, but it only solidified that I’m doing the right thing by pushing him away. He’s exhausted and burned out. Bradford Hotels means everything to him, and I’m not going to be the one to take it away from him.
Ana nods. “Any news as to when Nate will be back?”
“No, but he said he’ll be at my appointment tomorrow.”
Although that was before he stopped calling, so, at this point, who knows? And since I don’t want to add to the pressure that he’s under, I haven’t brought it up.
And if I’m honest, I’m nervous to ask and hear him tell me that he can’t make it, which will break my heart.
“Okay,” she says. “Well, if anything changes, I made sure not to have any appointments scheduled so I’ll be free to go with you.”
She smiles softly at me, and I’m reminded why Anastasia Parker is my best friend.
“Thank you,” I say, pushing back my chair, so I can give her a hug.
But when I take a step around the desk, somehow, my heel must get caught on the carpet because I lose my balance and stumble forward. It happens in slow motion yet not slow enough for me to prevent it from happening.
I try to break my fall by grabbing ahold of the desk, but in doing so, my stomach collides with the corner, and when a huge pain radiates throughout my body, I fall back, landing on the ground in what feels like the worst game of human pinball.
Ana’s immediately at my side, calling for an ambulance and then asking if I’m okay. But I can’t speak. Words are on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t release them.
Julian runs in moments later and tells me not to move.
While we wait for the ambulance to arrive, I clutch my stomach, sharp pains immobilizing me. A myriad of thoughts and emotions flicks through my head and heart—pain, worry, confusion…but the strongest is fear. Fear of losing my baby. It’s my job to protect them, and I’ve failed.