Page 112 of Need You To Choose Me

“I looked it up,” he interrupts before I can finish. “Last night. I have internet; I’m not dumb. It says stress can be the cause of all of this. I never wanted to hurt you, or the kid, I just…” His eyes meet mine. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

“I know that. I never thought you wanted to hurt me either.” The silence settles over us. My teeth sink into my lower lip as I contemplate my next words carefully. We couldn’t go on like this. I knew it, and he knew it. But the least I could offer him was the truth. Because he was right. He wasn’t Levi. Daniel was a teenager, almost an adult, really. Letting my lip pop, I move closer to him. “Can I be completely honest with you?”

Daniel shifts from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable. “I guess so?”

“I don’t want to be your mother.” Although the words are said gently, I can see that I have his attention. Good. I needed him to understand this. “I would never dream of taking her spot. The idea hasn’t even crossed my mind. However, I will not push Levi away just because. Not only because I’m his teacher, and it’s not in my nature to do so, but I genuinely like him. I think he’s a great kid.

“More than that, this baby is coming. Both Blake and Levi want to be in his or her life, and honestly? I want it, too. I was prepared for it to be just Munchkin and me, but I’m glad my baby will have a real family. That’s all I ever wanted.”

It was like saying it out loud lifted some of the weight off my shoulders.

I wanted Blake and whatever this thing between us was.

I wanted to give it a shot.

“I don’t know what will happen in the next few months, but I can promise you two things right now. First, I’ll never get in the way of you and your dad,” I say softly, observing his silent reaction. “And secondly, if you ever need me, no matter what or when my door will always be open to both of you. The only thing I ask of you in return is not to judge my baby on my actions. That’s the only thing I need.”

“That’s all?” Those sharp gray eyes meet mine. “You want me to be… kind to the kid?”

“Yes, that’s all.” I extend my hand to him. “Do we have a deal?”

His gaze falls to my hand. A few heartbeats pass in silence as he just stares at me, and I have a feeling that he’ll push me away once again, but then his warm palm envelops mine.

“Yeah, we have a deal.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

BLAKE

Hill:

They want you in Austin tomorrow.

I snort out loud. This was typical of Andrew. No “hello,” no “how ya doin’,” just straight to the point.

Blake:

Can’t.

Savannah ended up in a hospital.

Hill:

Is everything okay?

Blake:

It is now, but she’s still recovering so I don’t want to leave her alone just yet.

Hill:

I’ll see what I can do, but I’m not making any promises.

Blake:

If they want me, they can damn well wait.

Hitting the send button, I drop my phone on the floor next to me before grabbing the dumbbells and continuing with my reverse lunges.

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