Page 16 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

“Oh, yeah, him.” Dillyn was confused. Why would Tony’s name come up regarding telling her friends about her pregnancy?

“He’s dating Becca.”

Dillyn still didn’t make the connection.

“He congratulated me about the baby.”

Dillyn dropped her chin to her chest. “Ugh!She told him. So that means the word is out, and time is ticking.”

“Babe, time was always ticking.” Ben watched Dillyn start to fidget. It was a tell-tell sign that she was nervous. So was he, but Ben wanted to shout it from the roof tops. He was with the most incredible woman and about to be a father again. Life couldn’t get any better. Still, he was doing his best to be patient, given how fast everything unfolded between them. It was hard, but it made sense why Dillyn would be nervous. “It’s been two weeks since we found out.”

Pissed, Dillyn went to grab her boots to put them on. “That’s not very long. I don’t understand the rush to tell everyone. Shouldn’t we wait until I’m out of my first trimester?”

“That’s almost six weeks away. Were you planning to wait that long?”

Dilly shrugged.

“I don’t understand the reluctance. The fact is, if people already know, it’s going to get back to Palmer and Cat sooner rather than later.”

“Who’s fault is that?!” Dillyn shot back before immediately calming down. “And I’m not reluctant.” She wouldn’t make eye contact as she searched for her jean jacket. “Where’s my jacket?”

An unsettling feeling started to form within the pit of Ben’s stomach. He took a minute to gather his thoughts as he picked up her jacket and handed it to her. However, he didn’t release her hand when she reached for it. Instead, he spoke softly, “Dillyn, look at me.”

At first, she wouldn’t do it. She was too afraid of what he might see when Dillyn herself wasn’t even sure what would be reflected.I’m not a coward. Nervously, she lifted her head and gazed up into hopeful eyes.

“You want this baby, right?”

Dillyn felt hot all over, and breathing was a little difficult.Did she really want to be a mother?It wasn’t a question she had asked herself.Why wouldn’t she?Dillyn already knew that Ben would be a doting father.

Ben didn’t move an inch as he waited for an answer.Yes.Just say the word.It was a simple three-letter word. His entire world was riding on Dillyn saying it. His chest felt heavy, like a two-ton weight sat on it.What the hell would he do if she said no?

The tension in the air was thick. Dillyn didn’t know what to say, so she answered honestly. “I won’t lie and say I’m not nervous. Maybe something even close to terrified. Bringing a life into this world is not a decision to take lightly. After the fiasco with Steven . . .”

More sternly than intended, Ben interrupted, “I’m notSteven. Do not compare me to him.”

The last thing Dillyn wanted to do was compare Ben to him, “I know. There is no comparison. It’s not you that has me scared out of my mind. Our baby will be the luckiest person alive to have you as a father. I don’t doubtyou. I doubt . . . myself. I don’t know if I have what it takes.”

Ben finally released a breath, and his chest expanded with relief. Dillyn’s answer wasn’t a flat-out no. Her hesitation was based on the fear of motherhood. He should have been able to anticipate that. She just needed reassurance, “Babe, you’ll be amazing.”

Dillyn stuffed her hands inside the pockets of her jacket. She glanced down at her feet as she kicked the dirt. “How do you know that? I haven’t exactly had the best examples.”

“Do you think I’m not scared too, and I had great examples?”

Slowly, her head lifted, and she held his gaze. Dillyn studied his face for the truth, “You are?”

“Yes, and a small part of me feels guilty for being this happy about starting a family with you, as if I’m burying my daughter’s memory.”

Dillyn covered her hand with his. “You would never do that. You’ll love Rylee forever. I knew that the day I heard you singing to her over the phone.”

His daughter would always hold a special place in his heart. Still, the pain of losing her and not being able to protect her weighed on him. Ben was sure it was why he was a bit over-protective when it came to Dillyn. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Dillyn was thoughtful before she spoke, “Ben, before we say anything to our friends and family, I just want to sit with the idea first. I need a little more time. Can you give me that? Just a little more time?”

Ben had to pretend like he wasn’t disappointed. He wanted Dillyn to be as excited as he’d been but understood her hesitation. Dillyn’s parents had done a number on her. His wife had done a number on him, but he was ready to leave all of that behind and start over fresh. Dillyn had to find a way to move past the trauma of her past but that wasn’t anything he could help her with. No matter how much he told her that she would be a great mom. She had to come to that conclusion on her own.

He agreed. “I’ll do my best not to push.” Ben drew Dillyn close, leaned down, and covered her lips with his. Ben pulled back and placed his cheek on hers while whispering into her ear, “If that’s what you need, you’ve got it. Tony won’t tell a soul, and I doubt if he wasn’t Becca’s boyfriend, she would have said anything.”

Dillyn’s eyes became glassy as she blinked away tears, “Thank you.”How the hell did I end up so lucky?

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