Page 10 of Mending Hearts

With a laugh, I eyed him. “Do you really think it’s possible to hide this baby? Really?”

“I’m not going to lie to you. It’d be easier if I said ‘yes, it’s possible.’ Easy, even. You’re half-convinced, aren’t you? One big lie from me and I think you’re all in.” His gaze met mine, and I was reminded again how pretty his eyes were up close. A little piece of me thought I could get used to this view, these eyes, this man.

“Lie to me.”

He chuckled and broke our eye contact to stare down at the lollipop he twirled between his fingers. “It’ll be easy. We’ll lie to everyone else, but never to each other.”

“Could that be true?” My voice was hushed, wistful in the quiet of the hotel room.

“Say ‘yes,’ and we’ll make it true.”

Tears filled my eyes as I searched his face. He had a nice face, so open and sure of himself. I could see why he had a girlfriend now, why I’d been so drawn to him the night of the concert. There was so much kindness, and it had been so long since a man I wasn’t paying had made me feel important, like my ideas and opinions were important.

“What if I say no?”

“I won’t think any less of you. The risks for you, your career—I get it. I’ll do whatever I can to protect you. But I might not be able to. I can’t guarantee anything.” His lips quirked up in an almost smile. “But I’ll do my best.”

I shifted my gaze to the ceiling and focused on the decorative swirls above. Did I want an abortion? No. But I didn’t want to be pregnant either, wasn’t sure I could handle the storm that would roll in if my mother found out, if the press got hold of the secret. Either way, I would carry this decision for the rest of my life. Another truth I’d bury. But which secret did I want to keep?

“You’ll raise the baby?”

“I will.”

“And if I don’t want to be involved? ’Cause right now I don’t. I can’t. It’s not in me to be a mom.”

“I’ll understand.”

“What if I do? What if I change my mind and I do?”

He held my gaze for a beat. “I’d never cut you out. Never. No matter what.”

I searched his face, trying to decide how honest he was. In his hands, I’d be putting my career, my life. The lives and careers of so many people who worked for me would be balanced there too. In my gut, I realized either decision would divide my fan base, probably outright destroy most of it. My career would be in shambles. Could I trust him? Sincerity was written across his face. He meant it—at least in this moment, he meant it. His conviction would have to be enough.

He was close to his family, Grady approved of him, and kindness oozed out of him. If I’d had to pick someone for this baby to live with, I couldn’t have done any better on such short notice. All of those things made him better than the woman who raised me.

Taking a deep breath, I tapped my lollipop to his. Yanking off the wrapper, I popped it into my mouth. “I guess we’re doing this, then. I don’t know what the hell will happen,” I gave him a sideways glance, “but we’re in it together.”

Chapter Four

Tyler

Asurge of triumph followed by barely disguised panic welled up. I was going to be a dad. For better or worse, I just agreed to become a single parent in seven short months. I also agreed to tour around the world with Mia for three months, altering her outfits and helping her conceal our baby.

Jesus.

It was an idiotic plan. The worst plan.

I couldn’t pull this off. How could I pull off this insanity?

What was I going to do about my store? Would I tell my family right away? Maggie already knew. I rubbed my face.

“Oh, for God’s sake. Are you already having regrets?” Mia popped the lollipop out of her mouth and pointed it at me. “You talked me into this.”

I wanted to say I never really expected her to say yes, but then she’d probably keep the appointment in the morning. Beyond all reason, I’d talked myself into wanting this baby, into thinking it was some sort of sign from Dad that it was time to invest in another person more than I had in a long time—more than I ever had before. I was going to put everything I had into this baby, into Mia.

“No. No.” I met her gaze. “I need to go so I can prepare to come withyou.”

“You can’t go anywhere until we’ve got an actual plan. We need ground rules and shit.” Mia flopped back onto the bed.

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