Page 25 of Fall Love

A week ago, I still didn’t know who he was, other than a guy looking for Lumi. A man here to take my family business. My heart and soul.

“I thought you’d be gone again.”

His brows dip deep, emphasizing his glare.

“I don’t need anything from you. I just thought you should know.” I’ve been rubbing my belly so hard my hand heats, and I abruptly stop stroking.

“Need any—” He cuts himself off, turning his head to the side and blinking slowly. He takes a rushed step toward me and falls to both knees in front of me.

The suddenness makes me flinch, and I place both hands over my belly again. A protective instinct.

With him between my legs, my knees press into his sides, he grips the armrest, like he’s holding himself back.

“Neve.” My name is a soft plea. He stares at my stomach. A hill in my overalls. “We’re having a baby.”

“I’m having a baby,” I correct.

His gaze snaps to my eyes. “We,” he counters. He points between us, then glances down at my stomach. “May I?”

He chokes, like a man who desperately wants to do something and strains to hold himself back. It’s the opposite of how I thought he’d react. Actually, I hadn’t given much thought to how he’d respond. Other than he’d probably offer me money. Money that would involve a number with a large set of zeroes, which I wouldn’t take. Then, he’d disappear again.

But this is so much worse. He looks eager, twitchy. Like he wants to be . . . involved.

“Tate.” I swallow hard around his name, and he meets my eyes again. That rich brown melts into creamy liquid, and gold streams become apparent. The emotion in his eyes has me answering quietly. “Okay.”

He sets both hands on my belly. Pulls them off. Sets them on me again. Then he simply holds his palms against my stomach, staring down at the combination. I don’t know what he expects to happen. She isn’t moving like she was the other day.

“She’s sleeping. Quiet time for her is when I’m most active. She’ll be back on her soccer field when I’m ready to sleep later.” That’s been the way of things lately. A full-on tournament in my belly when I’m trying to rest.

He chuckles, soggy and thick, before he leans forward and kisses my stomach, lingering there.

“Tate,” I whisper, a lump forming in my throat, as I fight to keep my emotions in check. As I struggle with his response to our situation. The longer he stays in this position, the more awkward the moment grows, until I can’t help myself. I comb my fingers through his hair. He closes his eyes and turns his head sideways, laying his ear on my abdomen.

“You got to hear her heartbeat.” He isn’t asking but stating a fact, sounding sad, like he missed out.

“I have,” I admit, licking my lips again. “I want you to know, I never wanted this.”

His head snaps upright. His eyes wide with concern.

“I didn’t wish for this . . . at the well.”

His brows pinch. His mouth tightens.

“But once I found out, I couldn’t give her up.” I shrug to cover the crack in my voice. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I couldn’t let her go.”

“Thank you,” he breathes. He lunges upward on his knees, leaning over me, and cups one side of my face.

“Like I said, I don’t expect anything from you. I’ll figure this out. I’ve got Lumi and Isolde and the—” I stop short before I blurt what I’ll soon no longer have. I’ve already been banned by my doctor from working at the garage, cutting any time I thought I’d have left even shorter.

“You have me,” he states, solid and determined.

I chuckle, bitter almost. “You work for some big city company, states away from here.” New York is not exactly right next door.

“I’ll figure that out.”

I huff, which sets him back to rest on his bent legs. “What? You don’t think I can be dedicated? Devoted?” He nods at my belly. “I’ll have you know, this is everything I’ve ever wanted.”

He sets his hand reverently over my stomach again. “She is what I’ve always wished for.”