Page 97 of Hidden By His Side

“Why can’t you?”

Claws were shredding her inside. She shook her head against his chest, keeping the sob behind her lips.

He pulled back, cupping her face, making it too easy for the tears to fall. “Why can’t you, Summer?” he pressed. “You can do anything you want. Can’t is the wrong word, isn’t it?”

“It’s not yours!” The reminder dragged the sob out of her throat, and she fought to choke it back.

Ramiro’s forehead dropped to hers. “It’s mine if I decide it’s mine. Tell me now that you want it, and it’s mine, just like you are.”

“No!” She wrenched herself from his arms, scrambling back. “I can’t!” She shook her head, nausea swirling. “I can’t,” she said, but the words had no volume.

Ramiro stood, his hand clutching the desk. “Why?” he asked again. “Why are you so scared?”

Her mind stilled as she stared back at him. The panicked racing of her heart, her gasping breaths, the way she wanted to fly away from this moment, pretend it wasn’t happening—it all pointed to fear, just like he said.

Fear of losing him.

Only, he’d just said she wouldn’t. Confusion swirled.

“It’s okay,” he said, his hands lifted as he took a step toward her. “You don’t have to decide anything today. To be honest, children still terrify me.” He was right in front of her, his arms so warm as they slid around her, pulling her close.

“I’m scared.” Saying the words made the urge to run fade. “I don’t think I can do it.”

“That’s okay, too. We’ll do whatever you want, as long as it’s what you want.”

She loved the way he kissed her hair. Her arms felt so heavy when they lifted to wrap around him in return. His suit jacket was absorbing her tears again. She was such a crybaby.

“I’m not convinced you know what you want yet.” Ramiro’s breath fanned her hair as he held her close. “So, yeah, I’m researching nurseries.”

She sighed, letting his voice soothe her.

“But I need you to know something.” He pulled back, waited for her face to lift, for her eyes to meet his. “The idea of holding your daughter? Of a little girl who looks just like you? I don’t hate it.”

She blinked, her lips parting.

His lips firmed, and he let out a breath. “I won’t lie and say I’m completely on board. It really is fucking terrifying.” He grimaced.

The pressure in her chest eased. He looked as panicked as she felt.

He wiped a thumb over her damp cheek. “I’ll try my hardest to love her, if you decide to keep her, though it seems impossible that I could love her even half as much as I love you.”

She leaned her head against his hand, taking a breath. “I don’t think I’d be good for her,” she admitted.

Ramiro pulled her into his body again. “You’d be a great mom, if you want to be.”

“I wouldn’t.” The words were muffled against his jacket, but he still heard her.

“You would,” he said, but he didn’t keep trying to convince her. He just held her.

Words wouldn’t be enough to convince her. Nothing would. Still, she felt a little lighter as she thought of the baby growing inside of her.

Chapter 30

Ramiro was the one who remembered Summer’s twelve-week doctor appointment, not her. The baby was the size of a plum, or so he said.

The doctor offered a chance for them to see it again. Why did that idea make Summer so nervous?

“Some insurances don’t cover another ultrasound so soon, though, since you did one a few weeks ago. If—”

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