Page 46 of Secrets, Scandals and Baby Shoes

Lucy took a deep, steadying breath. A part of her had wanted to hear those words from Elliot ever since he’d walked out of their office more than a month ago. Yet a stronger part knew that just because Elliot felt sorry didn’t mean that anything had changed.

“Thank you for saying that,” Lucy said softly. Her hand dropped unconsciously to her stomach. “I appreciate it. But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to sell your half of the company back to you.”

Elliot nodded. “I understand. I haven’t exactly proven myself to be a good business partner. I would rate my business partner skills as three out of ten.”

The reference was so unexpected that Lucy let out a short, surprised laugh. In an instant, the man in front of her transformed from the guy who’d broken her heart to the boy she’d known back in college and had gotten to know again recently. Despite the transformation, she knew she couldn’t trust Elliot not to walk away when things got difficult. She wouldn’t let herself relax so easily.

“Three?” she asked.

“Well, I did pretty well before I left, I think.”

“I suppose you did.” Lucy smiled, but then her grin faded. “The thing is, Elliot, our relationship may have been a ten at its best, but it was a one at its worst. We’ve both hurt each other. We have a long history of not talking when we need to. I appreciate you coming back and offering to buy your half — or keep it — but it isn’t a good idea. What happens when things get difficult again?”

“When things get difficult again, we’ll stick together,” Elliot said. He stood, circled the table, and sat next to Lucy. “You’re right. We have a long history of not talking when we need to. I want to change that, starting today.

“What I should have said when I sold the shares of Borderless was that I was scared. The only thing I was ever good at was running Keype, so when Keype hit a bump in the road, Ipanicked. I left because it seemed easier than sticking around and seeing everything I’d worked for with Keype and with Borderless and withyoufall apart.”

“I understand that.” Lucy nodded. “You care about your company. That makes sense. But you chose your company over me.” She’d almost said “us,” thinking about the baby, but it wasn’t the right time to tell him.

“I didn’t mean to,” Elliot said. “I’d hoped that by stepping back from Borderless, I would have more time for Keypeandfor you. It was only when you found out about the sold shares that I realized my mistake. Stepping back from Borderless did mean stepping back from you, particularly since I didn’t talk to you about it. I realized that I was only good at running Keype, which also meant that I wasn’t any good in a relationship. I thought you deserved better.”

A lump built in Lucy’s throat. “I didn’t want anyone but you. I never did.”

“I felt the same. But I never said that. I’m not even sure I was willing to admit it to myself.”

“What changed?” Lucy asked. After all, he couldn’t possibly know about the baby yet.

“I got a letter from Dominic,” Elliot said. “He wrote it before he… well. He wrote that he knew about us or at least suspected that there was something between us. He encouraged me to give it a shot with you and told me that love is more important than work. I’ve heard that before, but when I heard it from Dominic, it really stuck with me.”

“I got a letter, too,” Lucy said. “Elliot didn’t say anything about you, though.” She thought back to the letter she’d found inDominic’s old apartment after the funeral. He’d talked about love and taking risks and following her heart, though he could have been talking about anything… or he could have been talking about Elliot. “Or maybe he did. Maybe I just didn’t see it.” She bit her lip. It was amazing that her brother, who she’d known so well, could still surprise her, even after he was gone.

“It can be hard to see what’s right in front of you,” Elliot said. “I saw you as my best friend’s sister, as my girlfriend, as my co-CEO — but what I should have seen, the whole time, was the woman I love. Because there’s another thing I should have said, Luce, right from the beginning: I love you. I’ve loved you since we were kids back in college. I loved you through all the years we were apart, even though I never expected to see you again. I loved you from the moment I saw you in that boardroom, no matter how much we were fighting for a while there. I love your intelligence and your smile. I love your creativity. I love how I feel when I’m with you. I love how hard you work. I love those blue eyes and the feeling of your hand in mine. I love every moment I’ve spent with you. I loveyou, Lucy. I always have, and I always will.”

The lump built in Lucy’s throat. “You do?”

“Of course I do. Lucy, you’re amazing. You’re smart, funny, beautiful. You’re everything. How could I not love you?”

Lucy felt her walls begin to crumble. If it were only her, she would have fallen into Elliot’s arms right now, but it wasn’t just her. Not anymore. She needed to be strong for her baby.

“How can you be sure that things will be different this time?” she asked.

“Because this time, I’m always going to tell you how I feel. No more hiding. No more secrets. If we keep talking, we’ll be okay. And, as insurance, I’ll be back at Borderless, where we’ll be working together every day. That brought us together once before. This time, I’m ready to commit to New York. I’ve worked out alternative leadership for Keype, although I’ll remain involved and will need to visit once every few months. That’s not what really matters, though.” Elliot reached for her hands. “What matters is that I love you, Lucy. I want to build a life with you. What do you say? No more secrets?”

Immediately, Lucy realized that therewasone more secret — a big one. She withdrew her hands from Elliot’s, her heart hammering. She couldn’t fall into his arms, not yet. She still had something to tell him.

“Elliot…”

“We can take our time,” he said quickly. “We can move slowly. I’ll be in your life in the way you want me to be, no more. I understand that we need to rebuild trust?—”

“Elliot,” Lucy repeated, firmer this time. “I have to tell you something.”

“All right.” Elliot met her gaze. “What is it?”

“I’m pregnant,” Lucy blurted. Elliot’s eyes widened, and she rushed on. “I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t figure out how. And I didn’t know if you’d even want anything to do with me or the baby. I’m sorry. I should have said something sooner. I only just found out myself?—”

This time, it was Elliot who interrupted her. He gently took her hands in his own, his thumbs tracing the backs of her hands.“Lucy. I understand. And this is wonderful news, if a little surprising. I love you — and I love the baby, too.”

Lucy felt like her heart might burst from happiness. “Really? You think it’s wonderful news?”

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