Page 114 of A Little Secret

“Anything else?”

I squeeze the bridge of my nose, hating myself more and more with every passing second. “I let him assume I’m the father.”

She gasps, her eyes popping even more as she registers my confession and everything it means. “You didn’t.”

“I did.”

“Griff—”

“I know, okay?” Dropping my hand to my lap, I look down at her. “I know I fucked up, but the idea of leaving you…it’s not an option for me, Fin. Not after everything we’ve been through. Not when the future is…what it is.”

“So, you lied.”

I hesitate. “I omitted.”

“Griffin,” she pushes.

“Okay. Yeah. I lied. And if we tell Everett or anyone else I’m not the biological father, there’s no way Uncle Henry will trade for me, and then I’ll lose you, and I can’t lose you, Fin.”

Eyes softening, she peers up at me. “I can’t lose you either, Griff.”

Like a balm, her words ease my fear, and I reach for her hand, lacing our fingers together. “Then, will you do this for me?” I ask. “Let me step up? Let me be the guy you deserve?”

Her mouth bunches on one side, but she stays quiet, studying me. Not giving in, but not telling me to fuck off, either. I don’t blame her for being caught off guard. This is a big risk. A big potential fuck up. And it doesn’t only involve me and her anymore. It involves our friends. Our family. Her baby.

Our baby.

The thought makes my heart pound against my sternum, but not in the way I expect. Hell, it isn’t dread pushing me. It's excitement.

We could do this.

We could make this work.

Me. Her. The baby.

And I want to. I want to make this work. I want a life with Finley. Forever, if she’ll have me.

“You’re not gonna say anything?” I ask.

“I’m debating,” she muses.

With a low laugh, I shake my head. “So stubborn.”

“I’d blame the pregnancy hormones, but I think we both know me better than that.”

I laugh again and kiss her softly. “So is that a yes?”

“You’re sure you won’t regret this?” she pushes.

“Not possible.” I kiss her forehead. “We’re gonna get through this.”

Closing her eyes, she leans into my touch again as if letting me carry some of the weight she’s been shouldering on her own for way too long, but damn if I’m not ready to take it.

“And you’re gonna tell your parents,” I add.

Her forehead scrunches beneath my lips. “So bossy.”

Smiling against her, I squeeze her tighter. “Never claimed I wasn’t, Fin.”

---