Page 96 of Wishing for Love

“You talked to my mother,” he said.

“How do you know?”

“Because those were her words in that text.”

“I called her for help,” she said. “I’m not afraid to ask for it. I want you to sit down and listen to me. You walked in on the tail end of a conversation and have no idea of the context of it.”

“Then tell me,” he said, crossing his arms.

“That is what I’m going to do. Sit.” He sat at the island. “I called to tell my mother about the baby. I don’t need to repeat everything she said to me, as it was nothing more than what I’ve heard my whole life. I’m nothing but a failure or a loser. I can’t stick to anything. I walk away when the going gets tough. At one point she wanted to know if I got knocked up on a one-night stand and if I was going to be fired for it.”

He frowned. “You don’t even go out,” he said.

“That’s right. But my mother has opinions that only she shares. It’s always been that way and always will be. I told her that we loved each other, but she didn’t care. You walked in with her going off on her rant. First she said a bunch of things about Taylor having done the same and that it didn’t work out well for her.”

He ran his hand through his hair. It was in need of a cut, but he’d been so busy with life that he put it off. Just like he put a lot of things off personally and put Elsie or her first.

She had to remember that.

“That was rude of her.”

“That is how she always is. You saw I was upset when you walked in. She hurt me like she always does. Nothing changes. I don’t need to get a lawyer. I don’t need to worry you’re going to leave me. I’m more worried that by me dragging my feet, you’re going to get fed up with me.”

“No,” he said. “I won’t. I know this is a lot to take in. I’ve felt I’ve pushed you at times.”

“I’ve pushed you too. That is how we got into this situation. We both felt something for the other and I made the move.”

“I want to say I would have done it eventually, but I’m not sure that is the case.”

“And we would have lost out on our love for each other.” She moved closer and picked his hand up and put it on her belly. “The love for this child. I’m scared. I’m not going to lie. I’m worried too.”

“Worried about what?”

“Everything. What people will think of me. My family. Your family. The parents at Elsie’s school. You hired me to be your nanny and now I’m carrying your child. It doesn’t look good.”

“Who cares what they think?” he said. “I only care what you think.”

“I should feel that way too. But first I need to know that you believe me.”

“I do,” he said. “I drove around and had a conversation with myself. Then I tried to think of what Maryn would say if she knew what was going on. I would have told her. I told her everything.”

“What would she think?” she asked. “First, do you think she’d like me?”

“I think she’d love you,” he said. “Especially with you putting your foot down to get me back here.”

Since he was grinning she’d have to say they were over the hump. “What would she have told you?”

“She would have said to get my head out of my ass and look at the facts. The facts led me back to what we have. What we feel for each other. The baby we made. Not what someone you don’t get along with says or thinks.”

“That’s right,” she said. “There is a reason my mother didn’t even know we were dating. As hurtful as everything was that she said, I expected it.”

“You shouldn’t have to expect to be talked to that way. I’ll never do that to my child.”

“I’ll never do it to mine either.” She kissed him on the lips. “Are we okay right now? I know we are going to have hiccups. That is life, but I want you to know and believe that I love you. I’m not going anywhere and I don’t want anything from you but your love.”

“I want the same,” he said. “Well, maybe one more thing.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

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