Page 103 of Denim & Diamonds

I nodded. “I have to make a few calls to rearrange my schedule, but I can take the early flight tomorrow.”

Brock nodded, visibly relieved. “Thanks, Red.”

We didn’t leave the house for the rest of the day. Brock called his brothers to cover him at work, and I had Oliver help postpone meetings. Oddly, after that, we mostly went back to the way things normally were. Brock cooked us dinner. We snuggled on the couch. Neither one of us spoke of the baby, or the future, or what would become of us. Probably we were in denial, but it might’ve been the only way we could make it through the day without breaking down.

At three AM, I slipped from the bed and gathered my things. Brock had planned to drive me to the airport for my six AM flight, but we’d only fallen asleep at midnight, so I didn’t want to wake him. Today was going to be stressful enough, and he needed his sleep. So I gently kissed his forehead and went to the kitchen to write a note before calling an Uber.

When headlights pulled down the block, I took one last look at my sleeping giant. Even after everything that had happened, just looking at him made me smile.

I’d fallen in love with Brock Hawkins—madly, deeply, head-over-heels in love. I wasn’t sure if thisrealization would change anything or make things worse, but when I walked out that door, I felt like I was leaving a piece of my heart behind. The big question was—would I ever come back again to visit it?

CHAPTER 25

Brock

I picked up February’s note for the fifth time and re-read it, looking for a hidden meaning.

Brock,

Didn’t want to wake you so I took an Uber to the airport.

Talk soon.

X

Feb

P.S. Relax and breathe. You’re going to be a great dad.

While the words were kind, I couldn’t move past the ones that were missing—words likeweandus. Andtalk soonwasn’t the same assee you soon.

My cell phone rang, and hope flickered in my heart. But findingNinaflashing quickly extinguished the optimism. I debated not answering for the first two rings, but she wasn’t something I could avoid,so I swiped.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Brock. How are you?”

“I’ve been better.”

Nina sighed through the phone. “I got a copy of the results yesterday, so I assume you did, too.”

“I did.”

“I was trying to give you a little time, but I need to get back home. My doctor was against me traveling this late in my pregnancy, and I had to hide my belly when I boarded the plane because I read that some airlines won’t let you fly after thirty-six weeks.”

Jesus Christ, I hadn’t thought of any of that. What the hell would she do if she went into labor here? Deliver with a stranger who didn’t know her history? Did she even have a pregnancy history? Any medical issues with her or the baby? There wasa lotI hadn’t thought about. “Right, yeah. You need to take care of yourself.”

“I’m booked on a seven PM flight tonight. Do you think we could get together for lunch today?”

The last thing I wanted to do was have lunch with my very pregnant ex, but I didn’t have a choice. Time wasn’t going to stop so I could get used to this shit. “Yeah, sure. The Clubhouse Grill okay?”

“Perfect. How about noon?”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “I’ll be there.”

***

Nina was already seated when I walked into the restaurant. Her hands rested on the top of her belly. I couldn’t take my eyes off it as I took the chair across from her.

---