Page 151 of Wild Blades

Zane stares into his mug of steaming hot tea. “I’ve been seeing a therapist three times a week since the night the news broke about Wade.” His thumb rubs the handle.

“Is it working?” It helped Wade. So much.

“I became a selfish prick. It made me realize I didn’t care about the consequences of my actions. I thought I was invincible because my dad would always bail me out. I really am so sorry for what I did to you.” He looks shaken. “For the things I said. And what I did to your neck.” He looks at me for the first time since he sat down. “That’s not the man I want to be. Or am. I promise you, Kali, I regret everything I have done. The hurt, the pain I caused you. And Wade.”

“Have you seen him?” I ask hopefully.

“Yes, but I’m waiting for the dust to settle between him and Dad first before I speak to him myself.” Leaning forward, he rests his elbows on the table. “I feel terrible.”

“I forgive you.” I do. It’s in the past. There are more important things to discuss and move on to. “Plus, I kicked your ass that night anyway.” I try lightening the tense atmosphere.

“You did,” he says, running his fingers over his bottom lip as if recalling our encounter. “I deserved everything you gave me... and more.”

“I can’t live in the past, Zane. It’s time to move forward. For Wade’s sake.”

“I agree.”

“How is he?” I can’t help myself from asking. I’m desperate to know.

How does he look?

Is he eating?

How is his head? His heart?

Did he ask about me?

Does he still love me?

Another dozen questions I want to ask but don’t swim around my head.

“We’ll get to that in a minute. Tell me. How are you, Kali?” Nicki squeezes my hand.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out, not meaning to. “I went to tell him at the house, but there was another woman there.” Remembering them standing there together makes my stomach lurch, another wave of sickness threatening to send me running to the bathroom.

Nicki lets out a gasp and then a soft chuckle. “She was the cleaner. He told Lola that today because she was mad at him for having another woman in the house when you arrived, and told him how upset you were. She’s feisty that one.”

“He wasn’t with another woman?” I feel a glimmer of hope I haven’t felt in weeks.

“No, Kali. He loves you.” She moves her chair closer. “He seems to think you won’t forgive him for the things he said in the heat of the moment at Miranda’s.” Struggling to say her name, I can tell it stings.

“I explained to him what you did for him and how it was for the best. He needs time, Kali.”

How much?

“I’m going to be a grandma again?” Nicki asks, changing direction too quickly. I have more questions, but she adds, “This family is growing by the day.” Sounding cheerful, she looks at her son as if giving him permission to speak.

“I have a son who I see regularly now,” he answers, as if reading my mind.

“What’s his name?”

His face softens and his eyes fill with what looks like love. “Freddie.

“That’s a great name.” I can’t help but smile at his reaction.

“He’s so tiny.”

“Compared to you, he will be.”

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