Page 100 of Before I Loved You

“I’m seriously so glad I met you guys.” My voice comes out small as I try to rein in my sobs. God, how pathetic am I? “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Natalie squeezes my hand as the three of us share a moment I’ll never forget.

* * *

Feeling completely worn out, I lean against the elevator wall, my whole body ready to soak in a warm bubble bath.

Spending a girls’ night with Natalie and Vanessa after a long day at work was exactly what I needed, but it was also draining. And I have sore feet and an aching back to prove it.

Rubbing my temple as a headache forms, I close my eyes, picturing the one person I wish I could see.

Paul.

It’s been days since I’ve seen or heard from him. And the thought of never seeing him again is scaring the fuck out of me.

But it wouldn’t surprise me if he left for good.

Everyone always leaves.

Not to mention, I deserve it this time.

I kept one of the biggest secrets of my life from him—one that will impact his life significantly. That is if he decides to be a part of our baby’s life.

But I’m guessing from how he left and hasn’t returned that that was his answer.

And it’s okay. I’ll figure everything out, just like I have been doing since I was nine.

One damn day at a time.

Alone.

The metal doors slide open, and I head down the hall directly toward my apartment door, searching my bag for my key.

Emotions grip me at the thought of opening this door and having to stare at the disassembled baby furniture for another night.

All I want to do is cry, but I think I’m even too tired to do that.

I pop the door open, stepping inside, just as my stomach rumbles.

I know, pretty baby. My hand rubs my stomach. As soon as I take a bath, I’ll make us something to eat, and then—

My bag drops to the floor.

Where is all the half-assed assembled baby furniture?

My eyes fly to the lock on my door, but it doesn’t appear damaged, as though someone broke in.

Glancing around, I notice everything else appears where it belongs—nothing except the baby furniture is missing.

Did some asshole come in here just to steal my baby’s furniture? What the actual fu—

“Ow!”

A loud groan comes from the spare room, aka the baby’s future nursery, causing my eyes to widen in alarm as my heart rate accelerates. My hand reaches into my purse on the floor for my bottle of pepper spray. I slowly flick the cap and quietly walk toward the room, tiptoeing one step at a time. I hear shuffling and movement coming from the other side of the door, and my heart pounds so loud beneath my chest that I can barely hear anything else.

Maybe I should call the police…

“Fuck yeah! I did it!”

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