Page 67 of Cruel Alpha Bully

Bae holds out a small bouquet of brightly colored daffodils and tulips. I stare at the arrangement in astonishment.

“How did you know these flowers were my favorites?”

“Well, I did have a little help,” he admits, smiling sheepishly. “But I also remember a flower box you had in the front of your house when we were at school. You said you liked how the flowers were seasonal and would always return if you kept the conditions right.”

“Yes,” I whisper, now completely choked up.

He nods enthusiastically. “It’s like… faith. The flowers returning each year, it comforts you that all is right with the world.”

My throat is too tight to talk now, so I just nod. He extends the flowers a little, and I take them, admiring the deep, vibrant colors.

“I also brought these,” Bae says, handing over a small satin box. “I’m not sure what chocolate you like, so this is just a sampler. Please tell me if there is anything else you… or the baby needs.”

A touch of fear spikes inside me. Is that the only reason he’s here?

“Like I said, Gina, I’m sorry to drop in while you’re at work. I know you probably don’t want to see me right now. But I just had to apologize.”

“Apologize?”

“Yes.” Bae gets a little closer and reaches for my hand, then withdraws again. “I don’t know why, but I expected you to just know exactly how I feel without me even telling you. It’s stupid, I know.”

My surprise is rising by the second. I was expecting him to talk about his duty to the pack and our child, not strip his heart bare.

“So, that’s really the only reason I stopped in. I don’t want to upset you or stress you out, so I won’t stay. But I want you to know I’m really sorry for not considering your perspective, and I completely understand why you didn’t tell me about the baby.”

Tears threaten at the back of my eyes, but I swallow them down. I don’t want to cry right now.

My emotions are a twisting, writhing mass in my guts. I can’t get Jill’s words out of my mind. She has put so much doubt into me. It’s hard to believe Bae.

I look up into his beautiful, pale brown eyes and nod, trying to keep my lip from trembling. “Thank you, Bae. It means a lot.”

We stand in silence for a few seconds. It looks like Bae wants to hug me, but instead, he steps back.

“Let me know if you need anything, Gina,” he says. “I’ll talk to you soon, I hope.”

He smiles and waves as he heads out the door. I watch him jog across the road back to the gym and try to process what just happened.

I believe him, of course I do, and I do feel bad that I didn’t tell him about the baby immediately. I’m just not ready to forgive him. Not yet.

I don’t expect to hear much from Bae after that, but for the next week, he comes in every day to check on me or bring me a small gift. He apologizes more than once for not fully expressing himself and leaving me in doubt.

I want the happiness back that we had before. Can I go back to it, just like that?

One warm, bright afternoon, Bae asks me to lunch, and I accept. There is still so much I don’t understand, and I think both of us are finally ready to listen.

We get hot chocolate and fresh donuts and head towards the park. The closeness and warmth we had enjoyed such a short time ago feels like it’s waiting just around the corner, and I want it back.

I know we have to go through a very uncomfortable conversation to get it, though. I try to swallow down my nerves and focus on what I need to say.

Bae sits down at a table in the sun, and I sit across from him. He looks relaxed, but I can tell he’s anxious, too.

Is it because he’s afraid to lose me, or something else?

“How is everything going?” Bae asks. “With the baby, I mean.”

“Oh, everything’s good,” I answer, rubbing my belly a little. “Not showing or anything, but this is one hungry bub! I’m starving all the time.”

Bae grins. “Don’t make me roll you up in a blanket and force-feed you cookies.”

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