Page 10 of Her Grumpy Bartender

“Gemma, what’s wrong? Did something happen? Are you okay?” Max pulled me into his arms and squeezed me tight. “Tell me what happened, and I’ll fix it. Whatever it is.”

I stepped back and took a big breath, unable to meet his eyes. They were so full of concern and love, and it was breaking my heart.

Just say it. Just blurt it out. Get it off your chest.

“I’m pregnant, Max.”

I waited with bated breath. Seconds felt like hours.

“Oh my God, really?”

I nodded and looked anywhere but him. I couldn’t see the disappointment and anger on his face. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“Gemma, sweetheart, look at me.”

My heart lifted. He’d never called me sweetheart before.

I peeked up at him, and he had the biggest smile stretched across his face, the biggest I’d ever seen on him before. Hope blossomed in my chest before I could swat it away.

“I’ve loved you since the day you first sang here. Yeah, I know, I broke the promise. I’m sorry. But how could I not fall for someone as gorgeous and perfect as you? Finding out you’repregnant with my child…I’m over the fucking moon, Gemma. I love you.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks, this time ones from pure happiness as all my worries and fears disappeared. “I love you too, Max. I always have.” I grabbed the back of his head and brought his mouth to mine, needing to taste him, feel him against me, feel his love fill me up from head to toe.

We kissed and kissed, my tears spilling onto his cheeks, and when we broke apart, he lifted me into his arms and spun me around in circles. “I’m so fucking happy, Gemma, you have no idea.”

“I really thought this would go a lot differently.” I giggled, trying to expel the anxious energy bundled up inside.

“Why?”

“I didn’t think you loved me. And to have a baby thrown into the mix unexpectedly…well…sometimes people run.”

Max tightened his grip around me, and I rested my head against his chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart. “I would never run away from you. Only toward you, Gem. I was afraid to confess my feelings, afraid you wouldn’t want more. You seemed so adamant about keeping our relationship where it was.”

“I was afraid too, Max. I’ve been afraid of love since my ex hurt me and left me alone with a child to raise. You know this.” I said the words softly, as gentle as I could.

“I know, you’re right. I’m sorry. And I’m so sorry for what your ex did. You didn’t deserve that. Nor did your daughter.”

“Thank you.”

“You mean the world to me, Gem. I didn’t think I’d ever be lucky enough to find love. But now that I have it, I’m not ever letting you go.”

“Good. I don’t want you to. But I think it’s time you meet my mom and daughter. We’re all a family now.”

He held me tight and kissed the top of my head. “I’ve waited a long time to have a family. You don’t know how much those words mean to me.”

I lifted my head from his chest and kissed him over and over again. I knew from all our late-night talks how much he missed having family. While Appleridge opened its heart and took you in as one of their own, it still couldn’t replace your own family. We’d create our own little family, surrounded and protected inside our bubble of love.

My heart burst with happiness, so light and carefree compared to the heaviness from earlier.

“So maybe we should make things official now? Seeing as I’m having your baby,” I teased and ran my fingers over his chest, itching to see the sexy ink below that I could never get enough of.

Max threw his head back in laughter, the sound pure music to my ears. My grumpy man was no longer a grump, only smiles and full of love. “Yep. I’m going to make you mywife. But first, we have a show to do.”

EPILOGUE

Max

The very next day,I arrived at Gemma’s cozy, small cabin she shared with her mother and daughter. Armed with flowers, chocolates, and cupcakes, I hoped to make a good impression.

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