Page 76 of Hardy

“I know.It’s kind of sad,really.”

“No, it’s not sad.I wonderif he even wants to be with her.”

“Why do you saythat?”

“If you want a womanenough, you tell her.You do everything in your power to show herthat she’s wanted.”

Rose couldn’t help but think about Hardy.He’d proven to her that he wanted her.She had also admitted to himthat she was also in the wrong when it came to their relationship.When he cheated she shouldn’t have changed, and made him afraid totalk about it.What happened all of those years hadn’t beenrepeated.She was a fool.Hardy was her life, and she loved himmore than ever before.Rose recalled the conversation withHardy.

“Baby, you don’t have todo this.It’s not on you.”

“It is though, Hardy.Yeah, youcheated on me all those years ago, but not once did you ask me tochange.I changed for you, and I shouldn’t have.I was wrong, and Ishould have talked to you.”Rose licked her lips, her mouthsuddenly dry.“Our problems are not all your fault, and even now, Ishouldn’t have left you.Our separation opened my eyes not only toour mistakes together, but also to mine.”

“I didn’t want you tochange, baby.I never wanted you to change.”

Pulling out of the memory, Rosesmiled.

Don’t hate yourself.What is past ispast.

“I don’t know.Maybe he’safraid of being everything Millie needs.”

“I’ve met Millie.I’vetalked to her.I don’t think she considers a guy like Baker wouldever consider dating a woman like her.”

“What do youmean?”

“She runs a toy shop.Shehas a mousy kind of appearance, and she’s on the chubby side.Notmany men would be attracted to her.”

“Millie’s a beautifulwoman.”

“I know, but she doesn’tbelieve that.”

Shaking her head, Rose entered the toyshop to find Millie standing behind the counter.She wore a pair ofthick rimmed glasses, and her hair was bound on top of herhead.

“Hey, Millie,” Rosesaid.

Fighter moved behind her, and Rosestayed out of the way.

“Rose, how are you?How islittle bump?”

“I’m fine.The morningsickness is easing off, and bump is giving me a bit of break.”Roseplaced her hand across her stomach.Hardy had been with her forevery single sickness in the morning, rubbing her back as he heldher hair at bay.

“What can I get for you?”Millie asked.

“I’m getting ahead ofmyself, butChristmas is in a couple of months, and I want to beprepared.”

“Ordering for the littleones?”

“Yes.My due date is forthe New Year, but I’ll be so big I don’t want to be coming out andwandering the streets.”

“It makessense.”

She spent the morning ordering theChristmas gifts for all of the kids.After she finished, she turnedher attention to Millie.“Have you spoken to Bakerrecently?”

“Yes.He wants to go andsee a movie together.”

Leave it alone.

Rose couldn’t do it.She needed toknow if Millie had any idea.

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