Page 144 of Bleeding Hearts Duet

“Okay,” he agreed. “And I made you an appointment for next week to have an ultrasound, so we can go together. I think you’re due for one.”

I bit my lip and nodded. No way was I going to tell him that I already had an appointment in my old neighborhood. Besides, I wanted him to be there with me.

“Thank you.”

He cleared his throat and tore his eyes away. “Anyway, it’s late. So I guess you should probably get some rest.”

“Yeah.”

I walked towards the door solemnly.

“I’ll have Ted pick you up at noon tomorrow.”

“Okay, Ryland.”

“Goodnight, Brighton.”

“Goodnight.”

***

“So?” Ryland arched a brow at me expectantly as my eyes wandered over the apartment once more.

It was a luxury loft that took up the entire top floor of an apartment building. Complete with a bay view and all the comforts that anyone could ever want. And the real kicker? It had been divided into two living spaces. There was very little in the way of privacy, with only a sliding partition that extended between the lounge areas. Ryland had calmly explained that he would have one side, and I’d have the other.

“You want to raise our baby here?” I clarified. “In this sterile apartment?”

He looked miffed, but I didn’t care. Technically there was nothing wrong with the apartment, but the realization that he was committing to us being separated for the next eighteen years upset me. I knew it was ridiculous. This was what I told him I wanted. And now I was completely contradicting that. I wanted to blame it on the hormones, but I couldn’t even do that.

“What’s wrong with this one, Brighton?”

There was an edge of frustration to his voice, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to be here another moment.

“You can’t possibly think this would work,” I fumed. “What’s going to happen when you start dating again Ryland? You’re just going to bring your girlfriend back to the apartment while I’m sitting in the next room with your baby.”

He tore his eyes away from me and stared out the window. “It would never be like that.”

“You say that now,” I continued. “But you can’t possibly know that. You’re not going to be single forever.”

I didn’t know why I was pushing this. I was making myself crazy, but I wanted to hear his response. To see if the final nail had already been wedged into our coffin. If we were really over.

Ryland didn’t answer, and that was answer enough.

“What do you want from me?” he asked. “I’m trying to do the right thing here.”

“I don’t want anything,” I said weakly. “I just want to go home. I’m tired.”

It was a lie, but I knew Ryland wouldn’t argue with me on this point. Unfair? Yes. But I needed to get out of this apartment and everything it represented.

“Okay,” he agreed. “I’ll keep looking. Ted will take you home.”

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