Page 66 of While We Waited

I gasp. “I knew it! You’re stealing my baby. And you’re the big, important football hero. What chance do I have to fight you?”

“I don’t want you to fight me.”

“Tough. I’m fighting you. I’m not giving you my baby.”

“I don’t want you to give me the baby.”

“You do want to fight me?”

He sighs. “Nova, my sunshine, I’m not explaining myself very well.”

I snort. “No, you’re not, Captain Grumpy.”

“I want the baby here because I want you here.”

“It’s sweet of you to offer for me to live with you but I have a house in Smuggler’s Rest. Once the baby is born and you know they’re safe, there’s no reason for me to live here.”

He brushes the hair off of my forehead. “Yes, there is.”

When he doesn’t say more, I push. “What reason? What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about you and me. I want us to be a family.”

“We are a family. Mom, baby daddy, and baby.”

“No. A family as in mom, dad, baby.”

My pulse speeds up until I can hear the thump-thump in my ears. “W-w-what?”

“Nova Myers, I want you. Not because you’re the mother of my children.”

“Child,” I correct. “Dr. Katz confirmed I am not having twins.”

“I want you to be the mother of all of my children, not just baby Sprog.”

I gasp. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I like you, Nova. I want our relationship to be real. Not a friendship because we’re having a baby together. But a romantic relationship where I get to hold you and kiss you and spend the night wrapped around your body.”

“I don’t know what I’m more shocked by. How many words you spoke or the words you actually said.”

He kisses my nose. “What do you say, Nova? Are you going to put me out of my misery?”

I open my mouth to shout yes! I want you! I want this! But fear grasps hold of me and the words won’t come.

Hudson is giving me everything I’ve ever wanted. He’s the man I want. He’s the man I’ve wanted forever. He’s the man I’m falling in love with. The man who wants to take care of me. The man who cooks for me. The man who opens the door for me. The man who carries me. The man who built a nursery for our baby.

But what if I give in to him and allow myself to love him? He’ll die. Everyone I love dies. It’s my curse to bear.

“What’s wrong, Sunshine?”

I nibble on my bottom lip but Hudson reaches forward to remove my lip from my teeth. “I know I’m not exactly a catch.”

I rear back. “What? You’re not a catch? Have you covered up all the mirrors in your bedroom? Or forgottenhow you own this successful business? It’s been less than two hours since someone reminded you of winning two Super Bowl Championships. What in all of those awesome accomplishments says you’re not a catch?”

“Says the woman who refers to me as the King of the Grumps.”

“You smiled today. And you laughed. I’m breaking you out of your grumpy persona.”

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