Page 124 of Need You To Choose Me

My heart skips a beat, my lips parting as his words echo in the quiet.

He didn’t say what I think he just said…

But he did.

I could see it. It was written in the determined set of his brows and the taut line of his mouth. He meant every word.

“Blake, I…”

I’m falling for you.

“Fuck, I didn’t want to say it like that.” Sucking in a long breath, he shakes his head and leans down. For a second, I wonder if he’ll kiss me, but he just presses his forehead against mine. “You don’t have to say anything back. Just… Just listen, okay? I’m not going to leave you alone after you’ve been in a hospital. Not simply because you’re the mother of my child but also because the thought of leaving you makes me physically ill. The idea that something could happen to you, and I’m not there… I get that you’re afraid, and that people disappointed you in the past, and it’s something that you won’t get over so quickly, but I need you to give me the benefit of the doubt. Okay, baby?”

“I know.”

Rationally, I knew it.

I believed him.

But my mind, my heart…

Maybe I’ve just been burned one too many times.

I’m falling for you.

Would he mean it if I couldn’t get over this fear? Would he stay if I unintentionally pushed him back one too many times because I’ve been hurt by other people?

“I don’t think you do.” He pulls back, his lips brushing against my forehead. “But it’s okay. I’ll repeat it as many times as I need until you actually believe me. Better yet, I’m going to show it to you.”

I swallow hard. “A couple of days?”

“Yeah. I have to do this commercial stuff and check in with my accountant and real estate agent. I’ll probably stop by the facilities to see the team since it’s been a while.”

“What about the boys? Are they?—”

“The boys are staying here. Mrs. Maxwell will be with them until I come back, which will be in no time.”

No time, right. Because it’s just a couple of days.

Two days.

And then he’ll be back.

“Two days, Blondie.”

“Two days.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

BLAKE

Blake:

Ready for your first day back?

Blondie:

I think so. I almost overslept because the baby kept me up all night.

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