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)
She removes the probe and stands. “I’ll let them know that you can be discharged, but I do want you to take it easy. Based on the bruise that’s already forming, you’re going to be sore. If you can, rest for a few days.”
Once she’s gone, Paige looks at me with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. “He’s okay.”
“He is.” I bring her hand up to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “And he’s perfect.”
chapter twenty-six
PAIGE
“What are you doing?”
I glance up at Nate. “Nothing.”
“Really?” He chuckles. “Because it looks like I stepped away for ten minutes to make a call and you decided to bag up all of your heels when you’re supposed to be resting.”
“Huh…don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I throw my favorite pair of Jimmy Choos into the bag—It’s been a good run. Sorry to see you go—but before I can grab my Louboutins, Nate snatches the bag away from me.
“Paige, stop,” he says gently. “You’re supposed to be resting, and this is the opposite of that.”
“I’ve been resting for days,” I whine. “And I’m sitting on the floor, which is considered resting.” I pout, knowing full well I sound like a baby.
Nate tries to hide his smirk, but I catch it and glare his way.
“I just need to finish packing up this bag to donate, and then I’ll rest.”
Aside from going to my doctor’s appointment the day after I was discharged, Nate has insisted I stay in bed while he waits on me hand and foot, refusing to let me do anything that might cause me stress—including sex.
I learned that the hard way the second night he slept in bed with me and I tried to make a move. He gently took my hands, kissed my knuckles, and told me it wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but he wanted to talk about us, as well as make sure I was no longer sore before we did anything.
I pouted my best pout, but he wouldn’t budge, threatening to sleep on the couch if I couldn’t behave myself.
“You’re not donating all your heels,” he says. “You were scared, and I get it, but you and the baby are okay. When the dust settles, you’re going to regret getting rid of all those sexy heels when you’re stuck with only your running shoes and flats.”
“Fine.” I huff, standing with his help, and walk out of my walk-in closet. “But I’m at least getting rid of the pair I was wearing when I fell.”
“What do you say we take a little trip?” Nate drops the bag into my closet and closes the door.
“Where?”
Since It’s Friday and I’m off until Monday, we could go somewhere, but it can’t be too far…
“I was thinking—”
My phone goes off, and when I see it’s my dad, I click Ignore. “Go ahead.”
Nate’s brows furrow. “Whose call did you just decline?”
“My dad.” I shrug.
“You should answer it.”
“It’s going to be awkward. It’s always awkward. And I’m supposed to be resting.”
Nate chuckles. “Way to twist the doctor’s words, but seriously, Paige.” He steps into my space and drops his hands onto my hips. “Maybe it’s time to talk to him. You’re going to be a parent in a few months. What if our son overheard something and he didn’t give you the chance to explain?”
“Really?” I groan. “And you talked about me twisting the doctor’s words?” When he simply raises a brow, I sigh. “Okay, fine. But, umm…” I swallow nervously. “Will you stay here with me?”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
When I call my dad back, he answers on the first ring.
“Paige, are you okay?”
His words shock me.
“Umm, yeah…” I say, walking out to the living room and sitting on the couch.
“I was worried. I called you several times, and you didn’t answer.”
I don’t know if it’s the sound of genuine concern in his tone or the fact that I’ve already decided to talk to him about what I overheard, but instead of answering, I blurt out, “Why?”
“Why what?” he asks.
“Why were you worried?”
“What do you mean? You’re my daughter, and you’re pregnant. Of course I’m going to worry.”
“But why?” I choke out. “Why do you care? You didn’t even want me, so I don’t understand why you waste your time worrying about me as if you give a shit.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Paige?”
“I heard you,” I admit. “All those years ago, when you didn’t think I was home, you told Mom you never wanted me. I heard you. You told her that you never wanted me…that you never wanted a family, and the only reason why I was born was because she wanted me!”
I choke out a sob, and Nate pulls me into his comforting arms.
“I just don’t understand why you care,” I continue. “I thought you’d be relieved that I moved away and never came back, yet you keep calling me every month like clockwork, as if you actually care.”