Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“That’s funny,” I said, managing to keep an edge in my voice even as the rest of me was dissolving, becoming boneless with surprise and longing for it to be true. “You said something pretty different to me the other night.”
Con shook his head sharply, as if trying to dislodge the memory. “I know. I was an asshole. Someone got pictures of us together, and they were going to give them to Kim. I was so fucking scared of what would happen to my relationship with Halley when she found out that I fucked over ours.”
“Pictures?” I whispered.
“Yeah. She had a PI tailing me the whole time.” He shook his head impatiently. “It doesn’t matter. I’m glad it forced my hand. I should have never kept you a secret.”
Maybe it was because I was about to become a parent myself, but I understood why he had. And even why he’d lashed out when his secret was threatened. I hadn’t even met my child yet, but I knew I’d do anything for them. “I’m not asking you to choose between us,” I said with difficulty. “Halley is your daughter.” I couldn’t tell him about the baby now. Not yet. It couldn’t decide our relationship for him like Kim’s pregnancy had.
Con reached for me. Pulled me closer when I didn’t resist. “This isn’t about her anymore. It’s about you and me. I am so fucking sorry about what I said. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, if you’ll let me,” he said into my ear.
I crumbled, unable to hold myself rigid any longer. My fingers curled into his shirt front.
His arms tightened around me “It’s you and me now,” he swore, his eyes blazing into mine.
“Actually,” I bit my lip to hide my tentative smile, “I have a surprise for you.”
I told him in a rush of words. He shook his head. “Repeat that.”
“I’m pregnant,” I said, slower this time. Deliberately. My smile spread wider. Even if he wasn’t happy about this baby, even if it changed everything between us, I couldn’t hide my own joy. It was one of the only things that had kept me from sinking into total despair these hideous two days. Even if–
“We’re having a baby,” Con said quietly, wonderingly. The look on his face put my fears to rest. He was shocked, but he wasn’t horrified. He couldn’t quite believe it yet, but he hoped it was true.
And when the truth did finally sink in, I saw it register in his eyes. Excitement, peace, and joy. “We have to tell Halley,” he said.
I winced. That hadn’t been my first thought. More like, we’ll have to tell Halley eventually, somehow, but God, how will we do it? “Maybe we should wait a little bit,” I said hesitantly.
“No.” Con shook his head firmly. “You and this baby are my family too, Lily. I want everyone to know it.”
“It’s going to be hard,” I said, still hesitant. “Halley just found out about us, and now she’ll have to deal with–”
He cut me off with a long, hard kiss. “If we’ve learned anything over the last few months, it’s that we’re lousy liars, Lily. Let’s just tell the truth this time.”
Joy filling me at his words, I sank into the kiss and let it wash away my own fears.
Con was right. No more secrets.
Not anymore.
EPILOGUE
CON - SIX WEEKS LATER
On December 26, Lily and I flew to Croatia. I’d told her that we could go anywhere for the week and was surprised when she picked there.
“Not the house in Aspen?” I asked.
She touched her stomach and shrugged. “Maybe next year. It’s not like I can go skiing right now anyway.”
“What about somewhere warm then?” I wrapped my arms around her from behind, putting my hands over hers. I imagined I could feel the beginning of a bump, even though her stomach looked as flat as ever.
“There’s a heated pool. That’s enough for me.” She leaned her head back so that it was resting against my chest. Her golden hair smelled like the rosewater shampoo that was now a fixture in my bathroom. Our bathroom.
“Why Croatia?” I asked, trying to figure it out. The weather was cold and wet this time of year. The snow-covered castles and Plitviče Lakes National Park were something to see, but I was surprised it was her first choice.
“Because it’s where it all started.”
Beneath my palm, she spread her fingers out. I folded mine over them. I couldn’t wait to feel my child grow inside her. “Where it all started?” I repeated. I wasn’t sure what she meant. Our family had started here in LA. Probably either on the couch or the bed. Possibly in the elevator or the kitchen.
Lily angled her head back to look up at me. “That’s where I was when Halley told me she’d called you, that I had an internship in LA with The Walker Agency.” She laughed softly. “I was so mad at her because I was so intimidated by you.”