Page 27 of Vegas Baby

“I was going to get rid of it,” I say, gesturing to my bump. “But when I went to do so, they told me it was a girl. They asked if I wanted to listen to her heartbeat. And I realized … I did. And it was so strong. Even though her origins were … messy, and unexpected, right away I realized I couldn’t punish her for it. That I had to protect her like I was never protected. It’s given me purpose.”

Sebastian leans forward, resting his chin on his fist. “I can see that. You sound … sure. I wish I … God, I’m a lot of things right now, Kira, but … I’m glad you’re okay.”

A contraction hits me before I can even think to respond, and I double over in pain. In an instant, one of Sebastian’s hands is in mine, the other rubbing circles into my back.

“Breathe,” he encourages me as I clamp my hand down on his.

I breathe as I learned in the classes, nodding my thanks until the pain passes. When I sit back up, I can feel the tears in my eyes. And not just from the pain.

But he doesn’t let go. He gives me one of those looks I’d forgotten he’s so good at. Understanding and comforting and loving. But he couldn’t possibly still love me because I see the edge of anger there too. It hurts, even though I expected it.

The thought twists at my heart in a way that breaks through my resolve. Making me wonder again if my feelings for him haven’t gone. The thought terrifies me just as much as my impending motherhood.

“It’s possible to be strong and scared,” he says quietly. Again, doing another thing I’d forgotten — talking to me like he’s reading my mind.

“Right now, I just want to get this thing out of me,” I grumble jokingly as I scoot backward onto the bed so I can lean into the pillows.

Sebastian sits back down on the chair, perching awkwardly on its edge, watching me.

“I, uh …” He stops and shakes his head. “I have things I want to say, but now’s not the time.”

I close my eyes briefly. Not sure I want to hear those things. And yet somehow not wanting him to go. I cut him off completely for a reason; because I knew the mere sight of him would weaken my resolve. And it has.

“No, now is not the time,” I finally agree, opening my eyes and looking at his expectant face.

“Will there be?” he asks curtly.

A lump rises in my throat and I lick my lips to disguise my discomfort. “No. Yes. I don’t know.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry.”

He smirks and rises. “I should probably go before your boyfriend gets back anyway. I think I kind of pissed him off.”

I frown, not understanding at first, but then realize he must have run into Michael. Anxiety ripples through me wondering what Michael told him.

But he presses on before I have a mind to form any questions or words.

“If it’s okay, I can come back around the same time after my shift tomorrow.”

I blink dumbly at him. Too overwhelmed to process any of this. Too emotional to shut the door on him again. So, I simply nod.

He stares at me for a long moment. He’s close enough that my heightened sense of smell from the pregnancy hormones picks up his sweat and shampoo and that smell on his skin that’s just him. The memory of it does things to me.

“You’re in good hands. You’ll be just fine,” he assures me. “See you tomorrow, Kira.”

“Bye,” I manage weakly as he leaves the room without hesitation. Almost like he doesn’t really intend to come back. Not that I’d blame him if he didn’t.

20

SEBASTIAN

“I’m an asshole. I can’t go.”

Ty rolls his eyes. “You’re not an asshole.”

“I’m a total asshole.”

He tips his head to the side. “Yeah, okay, you’re a little bit of an asshole. But you told her you were going to show. If you back out now …”

“So, you’re basically asking me if I’d rather be an asshole or a pussy?”

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