Page 76 of Forced Knocked-Up Mate

She stares at me for a beat too long, and I can hear her unspoken words.

So far, no, I can’t.

I turn towards the line of customers, knowing this is my biggest challenge so far. Getting close to Lucy and accepting the love of my pack are things I’m willing to do, even if they are uncomfortable, because I can see a clear benefit. Being nice to random strangers who are sometimes rude for absolutely no reason is a stretch for even friendly, social people.

Which I am not.

I take my time as I ease into the job, listening carefully to people and using a low tone of voice. My third customer is a stuck-up woman who gives me hell about how I pack her donuts into a box, but I manage to keep a smile on my face regardless.

Actually, I think the best way to get through nasty customers is just to get nicer and more agreeable. That way, they leave feeling like absolute shit for being difficult.

When she finally leaves, I turn around to see Lucy and Sarah staring at me.

“What?” I say, annoyed. “What did I do now?”

“That’s Pink Icing Lady,” Sarah says with a giggle. “She got the nickname because she always wants her pink-iced donuts separated from her chocolate donuts. If one even barely touches another, she brings it back and demands a free box and a refund.”

“Oh, okay,” I say. “So, how did I do?”

“You did great,” Lucy says in disbelief. “I’ve got a funny feeling she might request your service personally in the future.”

“Offering to wrap each donut individually was top-tier,” Sarah agrees.

“Oh,” I say, frowning. “I was just trying to meet her demands in the most efficient way possible.”

Sarah giggles. “Check him out! He’s become a customer service wizard!”

“He sure has,” Lucy says softly. She’s looking at me with deep appreciation, and I can’t help basking in it.

Maybe she still has feelings for me, and all I have to do is prove to her that I won’t run from her ever again.

Chapter 25 - Lucy

When Peter came back, I couldn’t believe it. I was still processing the fact that I’m pregnant when he showed up at my door. After not hearing from him for days, it was worse than shocking.

His efforts in the bakery truly impress me, though, and after a long, hard day, he takes me home. He makes utterly no suggestion of staying with me—just drops me off and goes back to New Hope.

I stand on my front porch, watching him go. I appreciate his gesture of respect, that he doesn’t want to assume anything or crowd me. But at the same time, I’m lonely. I miss our nights together.

As I head inside, I think about how hard he worked in the bakery and the effort he’s put into apologizing to me. Though I am moved, it’s not enough for me to just hand over my heart.

All he’s ever done is let me down, and now it’s not just my heart at stake. It’s my baby, too.

Curling up on the couch with a generous serving of triple chocolate ice cream, I contemplate my options. I know I have to see a doctor soon and tell someone about what’s happening so I can get some help. Not so long ago, I would have been overjoyed to tell Fiona, but that idea is pretty scary.

What if it gets back to Peter?

My guts flip, and suddenly, I can’t eat anymore. I rush to put the ice cream away, fighting the growing panic inside me.

I’m out of options here! If I decide not to tell Peter, then I’ll have to leave Silver Meadows.

Even though the idea sickens me further, when I weigh it up against telling Peter, it doesn’t look so bad.

Anyone can put in an effort for a day or two. How did I know he’s really changed? I can’t live with that bully again, and if he ends up running from me, I’ll be destroyed. I would never recover.

I wrap my arms around myself and curl up again on the couch, still snuggled in Peter’s blankets. I drift off into a fitful sleep, where I toss and turn between vivid dreams of pain and loneliness.

I’m woken by a sharp knock on the door. It takes a moment for my limbs to connect to my brain so I can struggle towards the sound. The sun is up already, and I have no idea what time it is.

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