Page 72 of Wish You Would

“It’s fine.” I glance at Briar and smirk. “We’re not officially together, but there’s no other woman on the planet for me and I’m going to prove that to her.”

Briar’s mouth lifts into a slight smile when our eyes connect, and my insides turn to mush. A second later she turns her attention to Daisy, who is pulling Briar into her arms. “Oh my god, girl, I am so happy for you.”

“Okay, I need details, you two. When did you find out? Does your mom know? How are you feeling?”

“Better now. It was a rough first trimester.”

Daisy nods, squeezing Briar’s hand., “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“We didn’t tell anyone. I was in shock. We both were. I just needed time to process the whole thing. It finally now feels like it’s all real.”

I curl my hand around Briar’s thigh.

“You could have told me,” Daisy continues. “I could have been there for you both.”

Briar nods. “I know, and I’m sorry. Are you mad?”

Daisy’s palm flies to the space over her heart. “What? Of course not, but now it all makes sense. You were spending less and less time with me. I thought either you were falling for Holden, or you were going through something that you didn’t want to tell me about.”

“Who would have thought I was hiding a pregnancy from you?” Briar snorts, her laugh mixed with a cry.

“Not in a million years,” Daisy replies with a chuckle.

I squeeze Briar’s knee at the same time West releases a wail, arching his chubby baby back in my arms.

“You hear that, my sweet little baby muffin?” Everly coos, taking West from my arms. “You’re going to have a friend to play with. Uncle Holden and Auntie Briar are having a baby.”

I slump back into my chair, a wave of relief washing over me. I turn to Briar, pressing my lips against her temple before pulling her into me. Anyone we really care about now knows about the baby. It feels like coming up for a breath of air after being held for too long under water.

Now there is only one more thing I need to do. I want Briar. I want Briar to myself.

I’ve taken things slow. I’ve had to, because I know the stakes are high. I have so much to lose. The last thing I want is for our child to be caught in between us if things didn’t work. I don’t ever want Briar or our child to be hurt.

But I know I want her. I want her and our baby and our little house on Haven Harbor.

A family.

And after tonight, I am done waiting for what I want.

NINETEEN

CAN YOU BE A GOOD GIRL?

Briar

“What do you think? I think that went pretty well.”

Our friends headed out about half an hour ago, but not before the girls planned a gender reveal party for us. And a shower. And started tossing around baby names. There was no stopping them once the shock of our news had worn off. When I hugged them goodbye at the door they were brainstorming where to source a cannon that shoots pink or blue confetti in the sky. Slightly over the top, but I have to admit that it felt good. For the first time since I found out I was pregnant, tonight we really and truly celebrated the news.

“I think it went great,” I agree as I start the dishwasher. It was a wonderful night, but I’m happy the house is quiet again. Just me and Holden. “Although I think I hurt Daisy’s feelings by keeping her in the dark.”

“She’ll get over it,” Holden assures me as he tosses the last of the empties into the recycling bin. “She loves you. She’s happy for you. You two just need to talk. I’m sure she has questions.”

“I’m sure she does.” I look up at the ceiling, exhaling abreath.“Holden, what do I tell her when she asks me why we’re not together?”

As soon as the words leave my lips, he’s crossing the kitchen towards me. The air is charged all around us, there’s a shift in our energy. My breath hitches in my throat from adrenaline that is suddenly coursing through me.

“Briar…”

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