Page 58 of Acceptance

“Lex asked me what I want in this scenario. Realistically. Obviously, if I could have what I wanted, the waitress wouldn’t be carrying your baby right now, but only I can decide which pain is worth it.”

Pain. “I’m sorry. God, Hailey, I’m so fucking sorry.”

“I know. It’s hard because I really fucking hate the idea of you having a baby with her, but I think I’d feel that way with anyone who isn’t me. If it was me, this would be so much easier. There’d be more skin in the game.”

Swallowing, he keeps eye contact with her. “What are you saying, Hailey?”

“I’m saying I have to follow my heart. There’s no option that doesn’t hurt, so it’s a matter of which level of pain I can endure.”

Baby, please, spit it out. Put me out of my misery.

Hailey sniffles again and plasters a smile on her face. “I guess we should probably start clearing out your extra room.”

“What?”

“You’re going to need a nursery for the baby.”

“I’m confused,” Gavin says, shaking his head.

Slipping off her jacket, she sets it on a stool under the island. “The baby needs baby things. We’ll have to get a crib and diapers and a change station. You’ll have to talk to the waitress about the plan for feedings. Will she give you milk when the baby stays here, or will he or she be a formula baby?”

“Wait, you’re sayingwehave to get things for the baby. You’re not leaving me?”

“I thought about it,” she says, her voice a whisper. “This wasn’t the plan, and this isn’t my baby. It really hurts knowing you’re going to experience all of this with someone else, but when I thought about leaving you again after everything that’s happened, I couldn’t breathe. It felt like my world was collapsing on me.”

Falling to his knees, Gavin lets out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”

“I also can’t ignore my part in this whole situation. If I hadn’t been so stupid, you, hopefully, wouldn’t have climbed into bed with her. I can’t really hold something you did while we were apart against you.”

“I never planned on this,” he says. “I love you so much, Hailey.”

“I love you, too. We’ll figure this out. Together.”

He stands and cups her face. He hasn’t felt anything but pure panic since Emme appeared at his door earlier today, and he kisses Hailey as he pushes back the tears. He wants to laugh and cry at the same time.

She deepens the kiss, and he tastes her tears on his tongue. This isn’t how they imagined this going, but she wants to do thistogether. She’s not leaving him, and he knows he can do this as long as she’s beside him.

“Hailey—”

“Just love me,” she whispers.

Picking her up, he carries her into the bedroom and lays her on the bed. It’s their first time back together since Emme walked in on them, and he wants to take things slowly. He needs to make sure she’s really ready after what’s happened.

He climbs onto the bed with her, kissing her as he slowly slips his fingers beneath her waistband into her panties. There’s no resistance from her, and she unbuttons her jeans to give him better access as his fingers toy with her clit.

“Are you sure you’re ready?”

As much as Gavin doesn’t want to stop, he knows he’d never forgive himself if he just took advantage of her emotionally vulnerable state.

“I’m sure,” Hailey says and squirms out of her pants. “I need you.”

“I love you,” he murmurs.

They both shed their clothes, and he kisses down her body until he’s settled between her legs. She moans as his tongue laps at her need, and he was worried he’d never hear this again.

“I plan to show you how much I love you tonight and every night from now on.”

His hot breath on her wet pussy makes her shiver. “I love you, Gavin. More than I ever wanted to. You have me. I’m not running away.”

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