Page 44 of Forbidden Desires

But as I carry the damn flowers inside, carefully arranging them in the only vase big enough to hold them, I know the truth.

I miss them too.

Over the next few days,the gifts keep coming. Small things, carefully chosen, each designed to chip away at the walls I've carefully built around my heart the last two years. Along with the gifts come the carefully crafted notes that do even more damage than the gifts themself.

At first, it's a set of hand-painted glass charms, with a promise that my charms were still more impressive. The day after, it's a beautifully bound notebook with a leather cover, embossed with an intricate design of swirling flames with a note urging me to share my thoughts with the notebook if I wasn't ready to share them with Pete and Dexter yet.

By the third night, I'm curled up on the couch, video chatting with Annie. She's lounging in her usual spot on the gigantic bed she shares with my dads, who thankfully, are both working late. Annie's face is split into a wide grin as I recount the latest delivery—a tiny stuffed bear clutching a heart-shaped pendant engraved with the words ‘You are our heart’.

"Oh my goodness!" Annie laughs, clutching her stomach. "You get what's happening here, right? They'recourtingyou, Suzie! This is like some Jane-Austen-level pining. They're probably off somewhere plotting their next move while writing broody poetry about you."

I roll my eyes, though I can't suppress the small smile tugging at my lips. "It's not funny, Annie."

"It's hilarious," she says, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "You've got two ridiculously hot guys who clearly worship the ground you walk on, and you're over here acting like it’s some kind of inconvenience."

"Annie," I say, my tone a warning. "If I remember correctly... not that long ago, you hid away from your own hot guys."

Her smile fades slightly, replaced by something softer. "And how did that work out for me, honey?"

My stomach twists, and I look away from the screen, picking at the edge of the blanket draped over my lap.

"I also didn't have a huge secret I was hiding from them," she says softly. "You have to tell them, Suzie."

"It's not that simple," I respond, unable to meet her gaze.

"Yes, it is," Annie insists, her voice gentle but firm. "You're pregnant. Withtheirbaby. And I know you're scared, but they deserve to know. More than that,youdeserve to have them by your side. Haven't they proved they're in this foryouby now? You don't have to do this alone, Suzie."

"I'll think about it," I finally manage, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Good," Annie says, her tone softening again before her eyes light with mischief. "Besides, I can't wait to tell your dads they're going to be grandparents."

"They’re what now?" an incredulous voice roars from the background. A voice that I immediately recognise as Ethan’s.

Oh fuck.

My shocked gaze meets Annie before I quickly hang up.

Not thirty seconds later, the phone starts ringing again but I immediately reject the call.

Am I a coward?

Fuck yes.

Do I care?

Not even a little bit.

But I guess the cat is out of the bag now.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Suzie

I sit at the kitchen table, staring at my phone like it’s about to explode. Ethan’s name is right there at the top of my missed calls, glaring at me like it knows I’ve been ignoring it. My stomach twists into knots just looking at it.

I take a sip of my tea—it’s cold now, but I don’t have the energy to warm it up again—and tap my fingers against the table. I could just… not call him back. He’ll give up, eventually. Probably.

Okay, fuck. He won’t.

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