Page 115 of Once Upon a Holidate
“We should have kids together,” he said abruptly.
Wynn stared at him, her eyes wide. “What did you say?”
“We should have kids together. You and me. I want to give that to you, Wynn. It’s what you said you wanted, and I can make it happen. You’re a great mom—look at what you’ve done with Hunter. I’m a decent father, but I can do better. You want more children. You told me, Wynn. I’d like that, too. With you.” He reached for her hands and squeezed them. “Let’s do it. Let’s have a couple of kids together.”
She pulled back. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I don’t know exactly, either. But we can make it work.” He motioned to his house. “We already live next door to each other—that’s convenient. We can have a couple of babies andraise them together. Fifty-fifty. You know, co-parent or something. I know you want this, and now I want it, too.”
Her expression was unreadable. He had no idea what she was thinking, but she didn’t look happy.
“You want to have children with me,” she said slowly. “So we would share parenting responsibility, but we won’t be involved. We wouldn’t be in love or get married or anything. Is that right?”
When she said it like that... “You’re making it sound bad,” he complained. “Don’t be like that. You said you wanted more children. I’m suggesting a way to make that happen. We’re a terrific team. We trust each other—that’s a big thing. We both want a bigger family and now we can have that.”
“Co-parenting?”
“Yes.”
“Because we live next door?”
“Not just because of that. You’re taking it wrong. I thought you’d be happy. That this solved all the problems. We’re good together and...”
There were more reasons, but suddenly he couldn’t think of any—not with her looking at him like he’d just kicked a kitten. Why was she making him the bad guy?
“No,” she said, coming to her feet. “Just no. I could never do that with anyone. It’s not what I want, and I can’t believe you suggested it. How could you?”
With that, she turned and ran out of the kitchen, leaving him alone with a feeling that he’d just screwed up in more ways than he could understand.
Chapter Twenty
After Garrick left, Wynn stood in her living room, not sure what to do or how to feel. Hurt and disappointment tightened her chest until it was difficult to breathe.
She pressed a hand to her stomach and told herself she was fine. Yes, Garrick had said something ridiculous, but so what? It didn’t mean anything. Only she knew it had meant something to her—something awful and sad.
The pain increased until it became too big to hold inside. She knew she was seconds away from breaking down into ugly, loud sobs that would terrify her son. Doing her best to keep it all inside, she grabbed her handbag and moved into the hallway.
“Hunter, I’m going to run a few errands,” she said, grateful her voice wasn’t shaking.
“Okay, Mom,” he called back. “I’m going to finish my history paper, then watch that documentary on NASCAR.”
“I won’t be long,” she said, before hurrying to her car.
She carefully backed out of the driveway, then headed for town. The pressure built inside until she knew she didn’t havemuch more time. Should she go find some quiet place to park where she could cry in peace?
Three blocks later, she pulled over and reached for her phone. She scrolled through her list of contacts, pausing at each of her friends before pressing the call button.
“Hi,” Silver said, sounding cheerful. “Do you have a baby update?”
Wynn felt herself starting to lose control. “Can I come see you?”
Silver’s voice was instantly concerned. “Of course. I’m home.”
“Give me five minutes.”
Wynn managed to make her way to the upscale neighborhood by the golf course. She pulled into Silver and Drew’s wide driveway, then stumbled out of her car. Silver met her at the door.
At the sight of her friend, she gave in to the sobs and let them overtake her. Silver pulled her close and held her tight.
