Page 52 of Triplet Babies for the CEO

All I can think about is the text, the way she shut me out.

The woman I love is slipping through my fingers, and I have no idea how to stop it.

She’s slipping away with my baby across the country.

We step up to the counter, where a bored-looking cashier waits, scribbling something on a notepad.

Josh orders his usual Italian sub, loaded with hot peppers, and I mumble something about a roast beef sandwich with horseradish.

The decadent smell of sizzling meat and fresh bread fills the air, but my appetite is nonexistent.

Finding a small booth by the window, the cracked vinyl seats creak under our weight as we sit down. I lean back against the cool surface of the bench, staring out at the cold, bustling street, trying to shake off the knot of tension in my chest.

The girl who brings our sandwiches is young, probably a college student working weekends, and she flashes a quick smile, setting down our food and drinks. I can barely muster a nod in return. My mind is still stuck on Tasha, replaying the words from her text over and over.

Josh takes a big bite of his sandwich, chewing thoughtfully before leaning back. “Okay, Dad, what’s going on? You’ve been a mess ever since last night. Is this about Tasha?”

I try to sidestep him, shrugging it off. “It’s nothing, just work stress,” I mutter, but Josh isn’t buying it.

He’s got that look on his face, the same one he used to get as a kid when he was about to call me out on my bullshit.

“Come on, Dad, I know you better than that. You’re not this worked up over zoning permits.”

I take a deep breath, the words heavy on my tongue. “Tasha’s pregnant, Josh,” I finally admit, the confession hanging in the air between us. “She’s pregnant…and she ran off to Vegas. She left last night.”

The shock on his face is immediate, Josh’s eyes widen, and he sets his sandwich down, wiping his hands like he’s trying to make sense of what he just heard. “Wait, what? She’s pregnant? And she just left?”

“Yeah, exactly,” I say, my voice barely more than a whisper. “I’m a complete idiot. I didn’t see how scared she was, didn’t realize how much pressure she must’ve been under.”

Josh leans forward, his blonde brow furrowed. “So, what are you going to do now?” he asks.

Shaking my head, letting out a bitter laugh. “I don’t know what the hell to do, Josh! She won’t answer my calls. I’ve screwed this up so badly, I wouldn’t blame her if she never wanted to see me again. I think she might have heard us at the bar last night.”

I run a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of my failure pressing down on my shoulders.

“You can’t just let her go, Dad.” Josh doesn’t let up. “You need to do what youdidn’tdo when Mom left. You need to go after her.”

I scoff, shaking my head dismissively. “That’s some idea, Josh. This isn’t a movie. She’s made up her mind. She’s scared, she’s hurt, and I’m the reason why.”

Josh slams his palm on the table, causing the silverware to rattle. “Dad, Tasha is terrified. She’s convinced you don’t want anything to do with her or the baby, and instead of sticking around to hear that rejection, she’s trying to protect herself by leaving.”

He leans in closer, eyes burning into mine. “Do you want her to leave?”

I stare at him, my throat tightening. “No,” I say hoarsely. “No, I don’t.”

Swallowing hard, feeling the words I’ve been too afraid to say rising up, unstoppable. “Josh, I love her. Not just the idea of heror the fact that she’s having my baby. I’m in love with her, all of her. She’s…she’s the best damn thing to ever happen to me, after you.”

Josh’s face softens. “Then you’ve got to go after her, Dad. You can’t just sit here wallowing in regret.”

Suddenly, it’s like something inside me snaps into place, and I push back from the table, the realization hitting me with the force of a freight train.

“I have to go get her right now,” I say, my voice filled with a clarity I haven’t felt in days. “I can’t let her walk away thinking she’s a mistake.”

Josh grins, leaning back in his seat. “That’s the spirit. Don’t let her slip through your fingers, Dad. You’ll regret it forever if you do. Don’t worry, I’ll handle things for you while you’re gone.”

I stand up, my half-eaten sandwich forgotten on the table as I rush to open the door. My heart is pounding, a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins as I hustle down the cold street.

Tasha is out there, somewhere, thinking she’s all alone. But I’m not giving up on us.

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