Page 20 of Forever, Finally

“Sure. And carrying the baby. Everything in my body feels weird, but in a good way.”

“I’m not sure what good weird is.”

She managed a smile. “It’s a chick thing.” She sniffed again. “Anyway, I’m just going through some stuff.”

“Like?”

She stared at him. Her green eyes darkened with pain. “I don’t want to be alone for the rest of my life and that’s what I keep thinking is going to happen. I’ve been dating since I was sixteen. What’s wrong with me that I can’t find someone? There were guys I really liked but who weren’t crazy about me, there were guys who wanted to get married who I didn’t love enough. There was Michael. Talk about a disaster.”

“His being a jerk isn’t your responsibility.”

“But why couldn’t I see the truth? The man was married. I should have known to question him more closely and figure out that his business trips were about a lot more than business.”

Jake didn’t like the sound of that. “You’re sorry it’s over,” he said, trying not to sound bitter.

“What?” Her eyes widened. “No. Not for a second. I would have been miserable and he never would have changed his ways. Not that his not cheating would have made him less of a rat. This isn’t about Michael, it’s about me. About the fact that I’m going to be alone for the rest of my life. When my child is grown and gone, I’ll be forced to take in cats. Do you know how many cats would fit in my new house?”

“More than I’d want around.”

“Exactly. And eventually the county will come take me away and there I’ll be on the news. One of those crazy old cat ladies. And the animal rescue people will give my cats to more sensible people who know only to have one or two pets. And I’ll die all alone.”

Tears poured down her cheeks. Jake knew she was really in pain, but he had to fight to keep from smiling. The picture she’d painted was so far from reality. Pregnancy sure wasn’t easy.

“Maybe an herbal supplement,” he began before recognizing the pit he’d just dug for himself.

Lily socked him in the arm. “Don’t you dare go there. I’m not crazy and this isn’t just about being pregnant.”

“I know. Sorry. But you’re getting all upset about nothing. You’re not going to die alone.”

She looked at him. “You’re right, I won’t. Not if we get married.”

CHAPTER 4

Jake was sure he hadn’t heard her correctly. “What?”

“Aren’t you worried about the same thing?” she asked. “Don’t you think about being alone forever?”

He didn’t have an answer for that. His problems were more immediate—like how to tell Lily about his feelings for her and make her believe they were real and not about circumstances or pity. And if that didn’t work, then how to get over loving her and move on. Only now she was talking as if she didn’t want him to move on.

“It’s not a bad idea,” she said defensively. “We get along great. We’ve been friends for years and we rarely get on each other’s nerves.” She touched her stomach. “You love kids. We could have more.”

Nothing made sense—except Lily looked serious and there was a pleading in her eyes he couldn’t resist.

He loved her. Maybe he had for years, even though he’d only figured it out a few months ago. If he married her, he could take care of her. Keep her safe while openly loving her and the baby.

As decisions went, it wasn’t a tough one.

“I’ll marry you,” he told her.

“Really?”

“Name the date.”

Lily burst out laughing and threw herself into his arms. “How about Saturday? We’re both off work.”

“Fine by me.”

* * *

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