Page 30 of The Alpha's Bullied Pregnant Mate

Fannar groaned. “I’m guessing there’s far more attached to that second option than you’re telling me.”

“Correct. It’s going to absolutely gut you. What you’re feeling now, it’s like something growing. It’s a new life and it’s the scariest, most beautiful thing in the world. Cut it off, and you’d know pain like never before. There’s no way for me to explain just how catastrophic that option will be for you.”

“Do you always have to be so dramatic?”

“It’s a gift.” Callahan took a sip from his drink and glanced at Fannar, whose drink remained untouched. “Doesn’t mean I’m wrong though. Oh, there’s also your mother to worry about. Knowing her, I imagine she has about a dozen lovely women lined up, waiting for news that you and Isla didn’t work out.”

Fannar glared at Callahan, and then it melted into a laugh. “Fine. Hell, Hades and eternal suffering await me should I be foolish enough to turn away from everything I feel for Isla. There’s still one little problem, though. She doesn’t want anything intimate with me.

“According to her, the moment we shared was a mistake, one she has no intention of ever repeating if we are to continue with our ruse as planned. It’s not really up to me, Callahan. If I decided to take your advise and chase this, how do I change her mind and show her we are meant to be together?”

“You just had to be an asshole to her in high school, didn’t you?”

“From what I’ve heard, I probably wouldn’t have allowed my sister near me either. She has no reason to take this beyond what it currently is. A simple business transaction. A service, if you like. So why should I waste my time trying to change her mind? She’s not wrong. I did hurt her and possibly ruin her life. Why will she ever fall for a man like me?”

Callahan drained his glass and pushed himself out of his seat with inhuman agility. He rounded the desk and sat on its edge beside Fannar. “My friend… Have you never heard of the subtle art of wooing a woman?”

Fannar frowned. “How do I woo someone who hates my guts?”

“And yet, you had that magical night of pure bliss with her, didn’t you?” Callahan rubbed his eye and ruffled his hair in exasperation. “For such an intelligent, calculative man, you can be really, really thick sometimes, you know? Hold on, don’t get offended yet. Work through this with me for a minute.

“According to you, she’s eager to kick you out, after getting humiliated in your home. She doesn’t. Instead, she allows you into her home, where you both basically attack each other right there on the carpet—real classy, by the way—”

“Fuck you.”

“—Oh but it doesn’t end there. It lasts for hours and hours and you’re both covered in scrapes and bruises at the end, thoroughly exhausted. In the morning, you, in all your wisdom, try to cuddle her and pick things from where you left off, and she kicks you out. I’m guessing I’ve covered the entire thing?”

“Yeah,” Fannar said, still frowning. “You have a lovely memory, congratulations. Now why the fuck are you telling me the whole story? I was there when it happened,wasn’t I?”

Callahan shook his head. “You’re impossible. I wanted you to look at everything that happened objectively and to notice a few things. Firstly, Isla’s emotions were clearly all over the place, as should be expected after what happened in your home.

“Also, if you were as terrible to her as she claims, she would definitely not give you the time of day. Except she felt something for you too. That’s the only reason she allowed things happen at all. In the morning, she was scared, confused, angry, maybe embarrassed…”

“And so she asked me to leave,” Fannar added.

“Bingo. I can’t imagine she’s been having the best of times since you started ghosting her, but if she’s half the Frost Peak woman that Josie is, I strongly doubt that she will call you first. However, I’m willing to bet that she feels something strongly for you, and all she needs is a little push.”

Fannar sighed.”Which takes me back to my original question. What do I do?”

“You want something real, beyond your current game of deceit? Show her. Good thing you have the best and most experienced coach in a three-hundred mile radius. I’m going to do my very best to get your love life on track, my friend. And while this may sound cliche, trust me when I say that it all starts with a bouquet of flowers.”

Fannar rolled his eyes and pulled out an imaginary jotter and pen. “Flowers, check. Go on.”

***

The sun was still high in the sky, burning unusually brightly when Fannar arrived on Isla’s street. The thaw had began, and it made the roads even more dangerous as snow mixed with mud to form a dangerous slush.

He pulled to the curb and turned off the engine. He looked at her door and panic enveloped him. Callahan’s arguments were strong and his premise was solid, but sitting out there in front of her home, none of those things mattered anymore. If there was one thing he knew about Isla, it was just how unpredictable she could be.

She may not even be home, you fool. You just had to drag yourself across town without bothering to call or text. He hadn’t considered that before. It was a Saturday and she seemed like the type of woman who enjoyed quiet weekends alone at home.

And that right there is your most costly mistake. You keep assuming that you know this woman. You didn’t know her when you were children, and you certainly don’t know her now.

Fannar took a deep breath and got out of the car. It was a few degrees over zero, the warmest weather they’d had in a long time, and he dressed comfortably. He picked his way through the slippery walkway and managed to get to Isla’s front door without landing on his ass.

He could sense her from beyond the door. It was a soothing sensation, reassuring, and he loved it. He had learned to ignore his constant longing for her, but it was still there, in the back of his mind. He felt it ease to a dull throb.

With a deep, steadying breathe, he rang the door bell. He had no doubt that Isla knew he was the one at the door. What if she decided that she didn’t want to see him and she left him standing outside? It would be nothing less than he deserved for staying so long without giving her a call.

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