Page 113 of Faded Rhythm

He runs his fingers slowly down my spine.

“How did you find me?”

I smile. “I called AJ every day for three months hoping he’d tell me where you were, or at least tell you to contact me.”

Julian chuckles. “You were determined.”

“I was. But he never answered,” I say. “Until last week. He finally called me back and arranged a meeting. He said he couldn’t tell me anything over the phone.”

He lifts a brow, amused. “Sounds just like AJ.”

I nod. “I took the girls to the park. He met me up there. He said you needed time to yourself to figure some things out and you’d reach out when you were ready.”

“So how’d you break him?”

“I told him it was an emergency.”

I feel his body stiffen. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll get to that,” I tease, but he isn’t having it.

“Sable.

I reach up to brush his jaw with my thumb. “I’m fine. I promise.”

He doesn’t look convinced.

“I left the girls with Ebony and hopped a flight. I had to see you.”

He dips his head and kisses me. “I’m glad you did.”

I let out a sad sigh. “So you’re not gonna say anything?”

“About what?”

“I put on some weight. I know you noticed.”

His eyes rake over me. “I really didn’t. But looking at you, I mean, your face is kinda full. I’m glad you’ve been eating good.”

I chuckle, just barely holding in my excitement. “So you don’t mind that I have a gut now?”

“All I care about is that you’re healthy, Sable.”

“I am. And I’ve been eating very good. I have to, now that I’m eating for two.”

He freezes.

My jaws hurt from smiling as he lifts the sheet and puts eyes on my stomach. His hand follows. “Wait…”

“I’m pregnant,” I announce just before I dissolve into giggles.

He sits up and stares down at me. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. Thirteen weeks. It showed up when the hospital did a blood test.”

He swallows hard. “And the baby’s healthy?”

“Apparently. He or she got what they needed while I was under. I lost blood, not oxygen. The doctor said everything looks fine.”

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