Page 111 of She’s Worth the Risk

I give her a faint smile, trying to focus. I’m here to see Violet’s baby, not dwell on what’s happening with Nick, but there’s no denying my head—my heart—is somewhere else.

“Come on.” Poppy loops her arm through mine. “We waited for you.”

I press a hand to my chest, touched. It occurs to me that I’m going in empty-handed, and I glance around, looking for the gift shop.

“I haven’t brought a gift.” God, I’m so spaced out.

But Iris shakes her head, holding up a beautiful bouquet. “These are from all of us.”

Tears prick at my eyes. These lovely women, including me, as if I’m one of them.

“Thanks,” I say, swallowing the emotion as I follow them into the room.

Violet glances up when we enter. She’s got dark circles under her eyes, her blond hair pulled back into a wonky ponytail, but she’s smiling. Unlike the stark fluorescent lighting in the rest of the hospital, her room has soft, warm lighting, and there’s a comfortable recliner beside the bed where Kyle sits, arms wrapped around a tiny sleeping bundle.

“Hey,” Violet whispers. “Thanks for coming.”

“Meet Forest,” Kyle adds, rocking his arms.

“A boy!” Daisy puts a hand on Kyle’s shoulder, squeezing. “Congrats, Dad. I love the name.”

A proud grin breaks across Kyle’s handsome face. “Thanks. We named him after the pine forest surrounding our cabin in Maine.”

“Where he was conceived,” Violet adds with a sleepy chuckle.

“The cabin, not the forest,” Kyle clarifies, and we laugh.

Iris sets the bouquet on a nearby table, already overflowing with flowers and gifts. Violet sends her a grateful smile, and Kyle rises, setting Forest gently into his bassinet beside the bed. He pauses at Violet’s bedside, tenderly brushing a strand of hair from her eyes. She smiles up at him, tired but happy. My chest aches as I watch him press a kiss to her forehead, his eyes lit with love.

“I’ll give you ladies a minute,” he says. “The nurse will be pissed if she finds too many of us in here.” Then he slips quietly out the door.

“How are you feeling?” Daisy asks, gently touching Violet’s arm.

She yawns. “Exhausted.”

“I bet.” Poppy hovers around the bassinet, gazing at little Forest. “He’s so gorgeous, Vi.” She glances back at us with a grin. “Now I want another one.”

“You already wanted another one,” Violet points out, and we all laugh quietly, trying not to wake Forest.

“How’s Kyle been?” Iris asks.

Violet releases a long sigh. “Amazing. He never left my side while I was in labor, and he’s already doting on Forest. This has reminded me how much I love him.”

Daisy gives Violet’s arm a squeeze, and Poppy nods, eyes shimmering.

“I wasn’t sure when I found out I was pregnant,” Violet continues. “But Kyle…” She sucks in a shaky breath. “He was so patient with me. So sure. Sure enough for both of us.”

A knot forms in my throat, and I glance away. Her words make me think of Nick, only an hour ago, in his kitchen.

You belong with me, Zinnia.

The way he said it with such certainty, such conviction. I’ve never belonged anywhere. Never put down roots, never settled in one place long enough to call it home.

But since arriving in the city, things have shifted for me. Being closer to Gran. Meeting this group of women. Studying something that fascinates me.

And Nick. Handsome, intelligent, passionate Nick.

I never could have predicted I’d fall in love with him. Never could have imagined how wonderful it would feel to let myself get close to him. To let myself want more than all the casual encounters I’ve had in the past. What if I’d listened when he told me nothing could happen between us? Or worse—what if I hadn’t stuck around after the summer? Just thinking about it makes my eyes well with tears.