Page 81 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

I glance at my mother, Therese, who sneaks a peek inside my bedroom’s half-open door. Worry creases her forehead, a sight I’ve become used to since I returned here, but I try my best to ease it with a reassuring smile.

“Everything’s good. I’m reading up on some of the things that the doctor recommended, and I’m pretty much floored. Did you know that nausea can just vanish in the blink of an eye? Like you have it so badly at midnight, but when you wake up in the morning, it’s all gone and it doesn’t come back?”

She laughs, probably because I make it sound like it’s the craziest news there is. She comes inside the room and sits at the edge of my bed, humor lighting up the creases on her face.

“Yes, I know. I had it pretty badly in my first trimester, too, especially with Sophia. I hated smelling everything, including laundry detergent. And you know I love laundry day and all those fancy-smelling detergents.”

“Ouch. That sucks.” My hand goes to my stomach, a habit that’s become something so precious to me now. “Mine’s all gone now. Like I said, in the blink of an eye. It might come back. But for now…”

I turn to her, and I’m sure there’s mischief in my eyes. My mom catches on to it, too.

“Let me guess. You want to scarf down food like there’s no tomorrow.”

“Scarf down food sounds so bad. How about I just miss your home cooking so much and want those little waffles you make?”

“I can make them now.” She kisses my cheek. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Emotion rises inside me—another thing that’s become a habit, too. But I manage a smile. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”

“I wish you told me about Sam earlier.”

“I know, but I didn’t want to burden you guys.”

“But we’re your parents. It’s not a burden at all. Anyway, it’s all done now. At least he’s gone and that’s all that matters.” She brightens. “I’ll let you know when the waffles are ready, okay?”

“Okay, Mom. Thanks.”

My smile stays in place until she leaves the room. When she does, I stare blindly at the pictures in the book I’m reading and try not to bawl over the one with the husband, wife, and kids laughing together. They’re models, for crying out loud, not something to cry over.

And I’ve made my decision, which has proven to be the best one as Christian didn’t contact me at all after I left Tennessee. That means he has moved on.

That means there’s nothing left for me there.

On cue, my phone rings and I pick it up immediately. Honey Lee’s warm voice fills my ear, checking up on me as she always does.

“How’s my little niece or nephew growing?”

“Growing well, I should hope.” I pause. “Aren’t you going to ask how your cousin is doing?”

“Let me guess. My cousin is gobbling books up about her pregnancy and eating every healthy food on the menu. She’s also thinking of writing a children’s book about a pregnant mom and her journey.”

Okay, she got me there. I laugh. “Jeez. What’s up with that intuition of yours?”

“I just know you that well, sweetie.” She giggles, too, but the following silence has me bracing. “Raven…”

“How’s Christian?”

I inwardly groan, already thinking I’ve made some progress for not asking, but here I am. I keep my mouth shut when she talks.

“I don’t know, actually. I haven’t seen him in a while. Either he’s just hanging out at home or somewhere in Nashville.”

“I’m sure he’s in Nashville. Handling the expansion and all.”

“Right. Maybe. Raven…”

“It’s okay.” I smile in reassurance, even if she can’t see me. “I was just asking because I wanted to make sure he still doesn’t know.”

“I didn’t tell him if that’s what you mean.”

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