Page 120 of Forbidden Hearts
“Because I love you, Phoebe.”
I want to argue that it’s not possible, but I’m no different. I am so in love with him that it physically aches. He is everything I want, and while this already messy situation just got worse, I think what hurt me the most was the idea that we were going to be over before our time was up. I didn’t want it to be over. I never want it to be over.
“You’re going to be okay with this? With me being pregnant and . . . the baby isn’t yours?”
“Love doesn’t come with conditions.” Tears fill my eyes, but this time, they aren’t from sadness. They are because I feel so incredibly lucky to have found this man. “Don’t cry.” Asher half smiles and touches the tip of my nose. “I may be a marshmallow, but you’re Rudolph.”
I laugh for the first time in hours and drop my head to his chest. “It’s so bad. I really wish I could cry without the whole world knowing.”
He lifts my chin to look at him. “I think you’re beautiful.”
“I think you’re crazy.”
“I am. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and go to my sister’s house.”
I change my clothes into something more comfortable and that doesn’t remind me of this horribly manic day, wash my face, and we head out to the ATV. Asher drives to Brynn’s driveway, but then he pulls to a stop and turns to face me. “I don’t want us to keep lying to everyone, but when it comes to Olivia . . .”
“No, we don’t tell anyone until we know what we’re telling people.” My palm rests on his cheek. “For now, we keep everything as it has been, and we’ll figure out the best way to tell others.”
He leans in, kissing me softly. “I want to tell Sara about us first, but then I think we should tell your father.”
“Oh, that’ll be super fun.”
“I know, but the sooner we’re honest, the better. I want the whole town to know you’re mine and I love you.”
“Yes, nothing says love and luck like falling for a knocked-up hot mess.”
He laughs once. “I happen to like hot messes.”
“Good thing, otherwise, we’d be in trouble.”
Asher’s lips find mine again for a brief kiss, and then he turns back around. I wrap my arms around his middle, and we head up the driveway, leaving the day behind us.
As soon as the ATV stops, Olivia is rushing toward us.
She’s signing so fast that I can’t catch half the words.“Wait.”I smile as I try to stop her.
Her huff is loud as Asher helps me off the quad. She taps her wrists, and I tilt my head.“Can I talk now?”
“Yes.”
“Are you okay? Dad said you were sick.”
Before I answer, Asher’s already answering.“She’s okay. She just ate something bad.”
“I’m glad you’re here. We are going to play cornhole. Will you be on my team?”
“Of course.”
Brynn waves as she approaches. “Glad you made it. We were worried about you, Phoebe.”
“I’m good, thank you.”
She gives me a hug and then playfully slaps her brother’s chest. “You’re on my team.”
“Great, now I’m going to lose,” Asher says jokingly.
“Whatever, you’re the one who can’t play.”
