Page 80 of Found By You

“I love you, Maci,” he says for the first time. “I love both of you.”

I fall into him, burying my face in his chest. He holds me uncomfortably tight, his face in the crook of my neck, leaving a trail of light kisses. “I love you so much…”

For months I’ve wanted to hear those words—the same way I feel for him—from him. And now…they feel tainted. My heart aches.

I gently push him away, and he pulls back, his eyes glossy with unshed tears—the sight only makes this harder. “You should go,” I force myself to say.

“No,” he snaps. “Angel, don’t.”

“I-I need some time,” I say, and it’s true. I need to process this—all of it. “Please.”

He reaches for me, but I step back. “Maci, don’t do this, please. Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you—everything, I swear. I love you.”

My entire world shatters, and I feel like I’m spinning out of control. Breathe, Maci. I suck in a deep breath, and take three steps back, leaving Duke with empty arms as I close the door and lock it.

I love you, too.

“As many hours as you can give me for the next few weeks would be great, Peggy,” I say, cashing out a customer at Cup O’ Joe. Once the customer leaves, I glance over my shoulder, and her expression tells me I’m not getting those hours.

“You’re nearly thirty-eight weeks pregnant, dear. I don’t think being on your feet all day is a good idea,” Peggy scolds.

Under normal circumstances, I’d agree with her. But it’s been four days, six hours, and seventeen minutes since I told Duke I needed a break—time to clear my headspace, to figure out what I want to do. To see if I can move past this sinking feeling in my heart.

It’s not him, it’s…me.

He didn’t leave that night. Opting to bring my dessert inside with a note telling me he’s here if I need anything, he slept in his truck right outside my front door—the same way he has for the last four nights.

He’s been calling and texting every day, wanting to know how I’m feeling, if I’m okay, and how my appointment went. He shows up at the coffee shop when I’m working and lingers, but doesn’t push to talk. He’s always…there. For me, I suppose.

Every night, the low rumble of his truck is outside the cabin, and I feel like a monster.

If it was anyone else, I would’ve called the police for stalking, but it’s Duke—caring, sweet, a little crazy, overprotective, obsessive him.

Who doesn’t seem to understand the definition of giving someone space.

“I could use the money,” I say quietly.

The bell over the front door chimes, and Cassidy storms in with Butch trailing behind her. “Maci,” she barks, and I tip my head to the side in confusion at her aggressive tone.

“You’re not on the schedule today, are you, Cassidy?” Peggy asks, also confused.

“No, I’m not, Peg,” she says, her heated glare locked on me. “I have a bone to pick with a certain pregnant chick.”

“Sunshine.” Butch sighs heavily. “You can’t—”

“Shut it,” she snaps at him, and Butch regards me with an expression I can only read as telling me to ‘brace for impact.’

Oh, boy.

“What the hell is your problem, huh?” she shouts at me, and I cringe. “You don’t reply to his texts, you don’t answer his calls. Duke is absolutely broken. And don’t even try to tell me for a second you’re not either. I know you’ve been hiding in the backroom on your breaks crying. Why are you dragging this out? You’re only hurting yourself and your daughter.”

“Cassidy, it’s not that simple,” I try to say, but it’s clear—she’s not having any of it.

“Duke is your support. He’s been there for every appointment, every birthing class. And now you’re going to go and have this baby without him?”

Her words are like a punch to the gut, and my stomach twists painfully.

Butch extends an arm in front of her chest as she takes a step toward the counter.

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