Page 59 of Teasing a King

Chapter Twenty-Six

Mya

Van greets me at the door when I get home. I had hoped he would already be at Mack’s, but I guess I mistimed my arrival. I’m not ready to face him. Not yet.

“How was lunch?” he asks, kissing me on the cheek.

“It was fine,” I say, brushing past him.

“How’s Luke feeling?” I can hear the amusement in Van’s voice, but I can’t find it in me to fake a smile. “I bet he’s hungover.”

I nod. “Yeah,” I say. “He’s definitely felt better.”

Something in my voice or my demeanor must have set off an alarm bell for Van because he narrows his eyes at me.

“Is something wrong?” he asks. “Did something happen?”

I shake my head. I’m not ready to have this conversation. Despite what I learned at lunch today, I’m not ready for this to be over.

“Mya?” Van says, his voice low. “What is it?”

“I can’t do this anymore,” I say, hating myself as I say the words. “I think we need to take a step back.”

Van goes still, his blue eyes filled with confusion. “What do you mean?”

I swallow against the lump in my throat. “I think we should reinstate rule number two,” I say. “This isn’t working.”

Van blinks at me as if he’s having trouble understanding my words. “Did something happen? Did I do something wrong?”

I shake my head. “It’s not you,” I say. “You’ve been great. I just think we need to be honest about what this is and where it’s going.”

His eyes narrow. “What’s that supposed to mean? Is this because I told you I love you? I moved too fast, didn’t I? Listen Mya don’t worry about that. You don’t have to say it back. I understand if you don’t feel the same way. We can slow things down.”

I can feel my heart breaking in my chest. I understand why he told me he loves me now. It all makes sense. His sense of honor and obligation got the better of him. But I don’t want him to stay with me out of pity. I shake my head.

“I know you feel responsible for me,” I say, my tone surprisingly even. “For us. And I appreciate everything you’ve done. I know you want to be a great dad. But it’s okay. You can be a good dad without the two of us being together. I’d never keep you from the baby.”

His eyes fill with hurt. “Is that what you think I’m doing?”

“This is for the best.”

“Best for who?” Van asks, voice rising. “What are you afraid of, Mya?”

I shake my head, not trusting my voice.

“Please,” Van says, his voice pleading. “Don’t do this.”

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“Is this because of your family?” he asks. I reel as though he slapped me.

“Don’t,” I whisper. “That’s none of your business.”

Van closes his eyes briefly and gives a humorless laugh. “That’s it, isn’t it?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say.

“Because you won’t tell me,” Van argues. “Mya, just talk to me. I’m right here.”

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