Page 60 of Wish You Would

“Holden, I’m fine. Really. I don’t need all this attention.”

I rub the base of her ankle and notice the tears that are gathering in her eyes. My heart cracks in two. “I brought you water and a few crackers, Briar. It’s hardly attention.”

“Well, it’s more attention than I’ve shown you in weeks.”

“I haven’t been any better,” I admit, watching her lift a hand to wipe away a tear that slips from her dark eyelashes and down her cheek.

“Don’t cry, Bee,” I gently squeeze her ankle. “We’ll figure it out.”

I watch her bottom lip quiver as another tear falls, and it kills me. I move her legs off my lap then grab the arms of her chair and pull her closer to me so she’s locked in between my parted thighs. I cup her face in my palms, my thumbs wiping away the wetness marking her pretty face.

“Please don’t cry, Briar,” I say to her. “You’re not alone in this. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” I kiss her forehead. “I will support you, whatever you decide, I will be here for you.”

Mentally I have no idea whatthislooks like, but right now my priority is making Briar feel safe. We can figure everything out later.

I move my hands to her thighs when her tears are dry.

“You’re pregnant,” I say, unsure if I say it out loud for her or myself.

“I’m not sure I’ve processed it yet,” she sniffles.

“Me neither,” I admit.

Briar is quiet for a moment, and I wish like hell I knew what she is thinking. Then her gaze drops to my hands on her thighs. “Holden we never should have stopped talking.”

“I agree,” I answer her.

“Let’s not ever do that again.”

I give her a sad smile as she sniffles again. “Okay.”

We stare at each other for a long beat. She looks sad. Even worse, she looks scared. I wish I knew what I could say to her to make her feel better.

I tuck a few whisps of her hair that have come loosebehind her ear, just wanting to touch her. I’ll take any excuse to feel the softness of her skin again. Being this close to her I can see the sparkling gold flecks in her green eyes, smell the scent of her shampoo. When my fingertips graze the shell of her ear, her eyes flick to mine.

“Holden, I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“I know. I didn’t either. I’m sorry.”

“Me too,” she murmurs.

I exhale a breath, then pull her onto my lap, my hand at the back of her head. She rests her cheek against my shoulder, and I hold her, never wanting to let her go. And as crazy as it sounds, I know it’s going to be okay. I know we can get through this together. “Briar, tell me what you’re thinking. Say anything.”

She keeps her face against my shoulder. “I don’t know what to say, but I know I want this baby. I won’t abandon this baby like my dad did to me.”

My heart aches for her. If I could have one wish, it would be that she never had to go through that. I’ve never seen a child in my future, I’m not even sure I can picture it now. I need time to get there, but what I do know is that I want whatever Briar wants and if she wants to have this baby, then I will get there and that’s what we will do.

“I want this baby too… with you.”

She lifts her head from my shoulder. “You do?”

“I do.”

All the air rushes from her lungs as she leans against my chest again, burying her face in my neck. I wrap her in my arms, kiss the top of her head and rub her back. Three weeks ago, I would have been ecstatic to have her back in my arms, but I never would have thought it would be because she is pregnant with my baby.

“I’m nervous.”

“We both are,” I whisper. “But it’s going to be okay.”

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