Page 17 of Bearly Taken

It was one of the first things he’d said since he’d been back that I believed completely. The way he said it and the sound of his voice just made it so genuine, I couldn’t have denied it if I tried.

Emotion welled in my throat as I looked down at my food.

Heshould’vebeen there.

But all of the signs were pointing to the fact that he would’ve been, if I told him.

“I should’ve told you,” I said quietly.

He set his hand on mine. “You were waiting for me to come back, and I should’ve at least checked in after I left. I don’t blame you for that—I get it. I was the one who left. All I can do is make it up to both of you now.”

Though I agreed with him, I could’ve texted or called him.

I could’ve sent him a picture of the pregnancy test.

I could’ve gone to the clan and set myself up with enough money to live comfortably.

The choices I’d made were mine as much as the choices he’d made were his.

And honestly?

It seemed like we’d both screwed up.

There was no going back, though. And no point in dwelling on what either of us had done wrong.

“You’re not leaving?” I asked him.

He shook his head, meeting my gaze. “We’re raising this kid together. In the same house. As a couple. I’m not walking away from either of you.”

I let out a long breath.

Honestly? I wanted that.

Badly.

Desperately.

But it was going to take time for me to trust him.

“Okay,” I said. “But we’re staying in separate rooms for now.”

“That’s fine. I’ll win you over again.”

Parker chose that moment to screech for more food. He’d devoured all the meat and carrots I’d given him, though there were still plenty of potatoes.

“Can I?” Reed asked me.

I nodded, biting back a smile as I watched him cut more food and interact with our son.

It was so stinking cute.

GivingParker a bath was always an ordeal—he always shifted so he could splash and roll around like the little beast he was—but Reed got a kick out of it.

Bedtime took a lot longer than usual, but I didn’t mind. Reed was doing amazing with him, and considering we were in a new house, it made sense for him to have a hard time settling down.

By the time we finally left him in his crib and shut the door, I leaned against the wall, listening for the little guy.

I could still hear him playing in there, but as long as he wasn’t crying, he’d eventually fall asleep. If the tears started, it could take a long time.

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