Page 72 of It Happened Back Then
“It’s true, Bennett. I should have known better, trusted our relationship, trusted you enough to tell you the terrible stuff. And I’m scared, too. I worry about the baby’s health. I worry that I won’t know what to do. I worry that you may regret choosing me.”
I squeeze her hand. “First of all, I see how you are with Lily, and you’re going to be an amazing mom. And for the other stuff, you’re here now telling me the terrible stuff; we’re working through it. This baby is going to be perfect because it’s ours.” I turn to her, brushing her hair off her shoulder. “I regret a lot of things, but loving you? It’s never been one of them, Peach. It’s not about getting it perfect. It’s about staying. Showing up when it’s messy. Letting each other try again.”
She nods, eyes glassy now, but she doesn’t look away.
“We don’t need to go back and right the past. We just need to be real in the present and hopeful together for the future.”
We talk for a long time after that, about baby names,about where we want to live. Both our places are too small for three people, but my cabin is ideal for now. There’s no pressure and no big promises, just excitement for what we’re planning and building together.
By the time we get ready to leave, the moon has risen high above the lake. She’s leaning against me, head on my shoulder, and I swear she dozed off for a couple of minutes. I help her stand then scoop her up bride style and walk to my truck.
As we drive back to my place, hand in hand in the truck, my heart is at peace just being in this moment.
There’s no chasing what we want or mourning the past.
We just breathe, together.
CHAPTER 38 - BLOSSOM
Ihear the bell of the back door chime at the boutique and assume it’s Drake with our deliveries. But then I hear Meadow call out, “Oh, sisterrrr!” and it makes me laugh. She finds me out front. “So you weren’t gonna tell me he gave Savannah the boot?”
I glance at her as I fold a blouse next to the front counter. He didn’t tell me they spoke. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then let me fill you in.” She bounces on her toes, eyes wide before hopping onto the counter and becoming the star of the show. Just how she likes it.
“So, apparently, Cole was filling in as bartender over at the Luxury the other nig?—”
“Oh, that's really cool!” I interrupt. “Wouldn’t it be awesome if he got a job there?”
She nods. “Yeah, so–”
“Do they have open shifts? Did he like it?”
She closes her fingers in a ‘shut your mouth’ movement, and I press my lips together and giggle. “Can you let me tell this story?”
“My apologies. Continue.”
“So anywayyyy, Cole’s at work, right? And in prances Savannah, in all her I'm-too-good-for-cheeseburgers glory. Like she’s gracing the place with her presence.” She slips into a high-pitched voice and mocks, “‘Oh hey, boys! I’m Savannah, I use my looks to make people think I’m sweet, but I’m really a conniving bitch.’”
I belly laugh. “I really hope this is exactly how Cole relayed it to you.”
“It is! Voice and all! So, Cole says he watches her walk into the kitchen like she owns the place, and he and the barboy immediately start to eavesdrop.”
“I knew I liked Cole.”
She wears a smug grin. “Mmhm. Well, I knew I liked Bennett.”
I furrow my brows. “What do you mean?”
“He told her to get lost.”
“What?”
She clears her throat and very dramatically says, “And I quote,You shouldn’t have come to Bluemoon. I’m not available for anyone but Blossom.”
My heart sings and I can’t help the smile that comes across my face. “He said that?”
“He did. Cole said Savannah looked like someone slapped her with a baby shower invitation,” she says smugly. “God, I bet it washot. If you don’t marry that man, I might.”
