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“What’s going on?” I rush over to her, not worrying about if anyone comes in. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her toward me, running my hand over her hair, trying to soothe her as she cries into my shirt. I hope it’s just hormones or something. “What’s wrong?”
She pulls away a little. “I’m going to be a horrible mother. I don’t know what any of that stuff is.” I laugh, and her eyes narrow. “It’s not funny. Did you see that breast pump? I’m supposed to put those on my nipples and let them suck the milk out? It’s horrifying.”
“Would you rather I milk you? It’s a chore, but I’ll do it for you.” I shrug.
She pushes me on the shoulder and shakes her head. “Not funny.”
“It’s kind of funny.” I try to make her smile, but she’s not having it.
“And all that stuff… how am I going to afford all that stuff?”
“You’re going to have a baby shower.”
She circles out of my arms. “No one will want to celebrate my baby. Sadie and Jude have loved each other their entire lives. The whole town of Willowbrook is on cloud nine in there. I’m pregnant with a jackass’s baby, and he doesn’t even know I’m pregnant. People are going to think…” She doesn’t finish her sentence.
My head cocks to the side. “Think?”
Her eyes meet mine through the mirror. “You know.”
“I don’t.”
“That I tricked you into this relationship to help me raise my baby because I have nothing. And no one. I love being a yoga instructor, but let’s be real, the pay can’t support me and a baby. People will say I trapped you.”
I lean against the counter so I can look directly in her eyes and not through a mirror. “It’s not my baby, so did you trap me?”
She throws up her arms and drills me with a death glare. She knows I have a point. “You know this town. You know I’ll be crucified. I saw what happened to my sister when she got pregnant. I just happen to return, move in with you, and suddenly you’re in lo—you like me.”
A smile tips my lips. “Sorry, what?”
“You know… that you like me.”
“Love you,” I clarify.
She tears her eyes away. “That was a slip-up.”
I wrap my arm around her waist and tug her to me. “So, you think I love you?”
“No,” she grumbles.
I dip my head down to meet her eyes. “That’s a shame.”
She says nothing, and I place my finger under her chin, bringing it up so she has no choice but to look into my eyes.
“Because I do. I love you, Briar.”
A shuddering breath leaves her. “No, you don’t.”
She wiggles out of my hold, but I grab her wrist. “Are you trying to tell me what I feel, sweetheart?”
“I need some air.” She pulls away from my grip and walks out of the bathroom.
I follow, and she pushes out the door of the hallway that leads directly outside, the sun casting down on her like a vision. She heads around the corner, not wanting to be seen.
“So, you don’t love me?” I ask.
“I…” Her mouth opens and closes a few times before she turns away from me.
“Fair enough. It seems I have more work to do. I’m happy to take on the job.” I go to her back, hugging her from behind. “We have this, Briar. I know you feel it too. We’re a we. A pair. It’s petrifying and some people are gonna talk shit, but we’re stronger together.” I cradle her stomach. “I know this baby isn’t biologically mine, but I will love it as my own. Even if we don’t work out and years down the road you discover I’m not the one you want, I’m still going to be a part of this child’s life. I will never abandon him or her. I promise you that.”
