Page 128 of Forking the Billionaire

“Huh.” Well, that was one mystery solved at least.

Ziggy looked around conspiratorially, clearly not wanting anyone to overhear whatever it was he was about to divulge. He leaned over the bar, concern lining his face. “Sorry about before.”

My mind went blank. I blinked.

“Can we just pretend all of that confession stuff never happened?” he asked with a spark of hope simmering behind his worry lines.

Ah, that’s what this was about. He’d said he loved me. I’d told him I was pregnant. Then he ran away.

I was perfectly content never to discuss it again. Pretend it never happened? I said, “Sure.”

“Good.” he leaned back in his chair, folded his hands over his chest and let out a long exhale. “I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”

“Same.”

But honestly, even if I never talked to Ziggy again, how much worse would my life be without him? He was my friend. He was nice—fun, even, but when it came to the ocean of my heart, he didn’t cause so much as a wave.

His absence didn’t leave a chasm in my chest. It didn’t make physical pain radiate out through my limbs or tears stream down my cheeks.

Ziggy wasn’t Jasper.

Over the past few days, colors and sounds felt dull. Even the sun seemed dim.

It was like Jasper had taken all the island’s joy with him.

It sucked.

He sucked.

I didn’t want to miss him. I didn’t want to feel this twisted need to chase after him even though he was the one who’d hurt me.

What was wrong with me?

“I’m so glad to hear that.” Ziggy smiled at me.

I smiled a hollow smile back and laid my hand over the pocket of my dress where I’d stashed my phone.

Gabe was only a text away. Only a few short words and I’d have Jasper’s number.

I pushed the thought away.

Jasper was the one in the wrong here. Even if I did miss him, he had to be the one to reach out to me. Right?

Sage returned from the bathroom and slipped back onto her stool.

I looked between the two people I’d grown closest to in my new life. I shouldn’t be thinking about throwing any of thesebonds away. I shouldn’t be debating whether leaving my life on the island would be worth it for another chance with Jasper, but I was.

I wanted to raise my little pecan here.

Sage had told me that no one could do everything by themselves. And even if she was wrong and I could somehow manage it, I didn’t want to.

I wanted a village. I wanted support and love for Pecan and for me.

I trusted my friends’ opinions…well, mostly Sage’s. With as uncertain as everything felt, I could use another perspective on my current situation, too. Opening up now was a start.

“I’m pregnant,” I said, this time without fear.

Ziggy adjusted in his seat and glanced at the door like he wanted to flee, but he didn’t. He stayed.

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