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“Is that how it was for you and Grace?”
He nodded. “It snuck up on me, but yeah. I couldn’t imagine her not being in my life.”
“Thanks.” I rose and headed back to my office. I sat at my desk, drinking my coffee and running Hunter’s words back through my brain. Could I see something long-term with Morgan? Could I be okay raising another man’s child? The answer had to be yes, because one thing I knew for sure, as certain as the sun would rise tomorrow, was that I couldn’t walk away from her.
22
Morgan — Thursday
I locked the doors to the restaurant, feeling exhausted but exhilarated. This was what I was meant to do. Was it my exact vision? No. I was willing to let the food truck idea go because Kade was right, there was more financial security in a restaurant. And more risk. But if we could keep the restaurant filled every night, we’d do great. The food still wasn’t quite what I wanted, but I was resistant to change it just yet, as what we were doing now was working.
Life was good. I was doing the work I was passionate about for once, and it was amazing to feel so strong and confident. I felt like the leader of the team. I didn’t have any trouble letting my staff know when I felt like they were falling short, and I was right there to let them know when I was happy with their work as well. For a few days, I felt tension from a few of the waitstaff and a few of the kitchen staff, but once I settled a bit into the comfort of being the boss, that had lessened. John was still a little too attentive, but I was able to fend him off as well.
It was my personal life that fell short of perfection, and I had to accept that it was partly my fault. I’d run out on Kade without an explanation. At the time, it seemed justified. When his first text came in after I’d left his place, I thought he had some nerve contacting me asking what was going on. After the next few texts, I thought he probably didn’t see any problem with his behavior. He was Kade Raven, a well-known ladies man. I was the idiot to think maybe I meant enough to him that he could be monogamous.
And then there was the baby. I needed to tell him, but I didn’t know how. The worst-case scenario was that he’d withdraw his support of the restaurant, and maybe convince Ash and his family to terminate my loan. The best scenario would be that he’d set me and the baby up in a posh apartment and visit the baby on weekends, assuming he didn’t try to take full custody. The dream, of course would be for him to tell me he loved me and wanted us both. I rolled my eyes. Get a grip, Morgan.
I pushed thoughts of Kade away, and instead focused on what was right. My work was finally right. With a smile on my face, I opened the door to my apartment and immediately my smile faltered.
“Mom?” She was on the couch, writhing in pain. I dropped my purse and went to her. “What can I get you? Where’s your medicine?”
“I’ve already taken it.”
I sat with her on the couch and pulled her into my arms. “What’s going on? Is this new?”
“I think it’s just the natural course,” she said, and rested her head on my lap.
“I’m so sorry, Mom.” I gently brushed her hair with my fingers. “I’ll get you that treatment soon, I promise.”
My mom started to cry. “I’m such a burden. You should be out having fun. Shopping with your friends. Not worried about my treatments.”
“Stop! You worked so hard to support me. Now it’s my turn. I love you, Mom.”
She lay still in my lap. “I don’t want this for you.”
“You don’t want me to have my mom?” I wondered if telling her about the baby would cheer her up or make her feel more stressed out.
“You’re twisting my words.”
“Your words are twisted. Come on, let’s get you to bed.” I helped her up, and we slowly made our way to her bedroom. I assisted her into her nightgown and tucked her in bed. “Do you need your last pill for the night?”
She nodded. “Yes. It’s there on my nightstand.”
I gave her the pill and brought her some water. Once she drank it, I took the glass from her. “Get some rest, Mom.”
“Thank you, honey.”
I turned off her light and shut the door. I was tired, but still felt a little wound up, so I decided to take a bath. I filled the little tub with water and found some lavender body wash to use as bubble bath. Lavender was supposed to soothe and relax. I could sure use some of that in my life.
