Page 104 of While We Waited

I would never leave Nova or our baby behind. Wherever I go, she’s going.

Except Nova would never leave Smuggler’s Hideaway. This is her home. Her friends are here. Her business is her. She can’t up and move.

And I can’t leave Nova. I won’t.

I frown. Am I seriously giving up returning to football to stay with Nova? I love her and our baby, but football is my life.

Yet the idea of leaving her – leaving our baby – makes me sick to my stomach. Shit. I can’t leave the island. Not even for football.

If I can’t leave for the game, maybe football isn’t my life after all. Maybe there are other people in my life who are more important than the game.

As exciting as a job as offensive coordinator sounds, it’s not for me.

My heart clenches as realization hits me. I’m more than an athlete. I’m not a has-been. I’m a business owner. I’m a father-to-be.

And I’m a Smuggler. Smuggler’s Hideaway is home. This is where I belong. Not on the road several months a year with a football team.

Seth holds up his hands. “I didn’t mean anything by my comment. I didn’t want to assume. After all, you haven’t put a ring on it yet.”

“I’m waiting.”

“For what? She’s already knocked up.”

“I don’t want her to think I’m proposing because of the baby.”

His brow wrinkles. “Aren’t you?”

“Hell no.”

He grins. “Awesome. Happy for you man.”

I pass the offer back to him. “I can’t accept this.”

“You haven’t even looked at it.”

“I don’t need to. My mind’s made up.” With Nova is where I belong. I choose her. I’m not ruining the best thing I’ve ever had.

“You could discuss it with Nova. Ask her what she thinks.”

I snort. If Nova thinks I want to accept the offer, she’ll push me to accept without any regard to her own situation. She’d do anything for me. She’s amazing. I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to admit it to myself. I thought I might love her before but now, I’m sure. She’s it. She’s the one.

“Promise you’ll at least think about it.”

I fold the piece of paper and shove it into my back pocket.

“Fine. I’ll think about it.” I notice Nova making her way to our table. “Let’s discuss this later.”

When she arrives, I notice her face is pinched. “Are you okay? Are you feeling queasy? Do you want to leave and I’ll make you some of my chicken noodle soup?”

She smiles at me but it doesn’t light up her face. “I’m okay. I want to stay and get to know your friend better.”

I scan her face for any sign she’s in distress. “Fine. But if you start feeling nauseous, you have to let me know.”

She rolls her eyes. “I promise, Grumpalotoulos.”

“Still not Greek,” I mutter as I pull out her chair for her and help to situate her.

“Still a grump,” she sings back to me.

---