Page 25 of Love Unexpected

“No, please," he insists, his eyes reassuring. "I wanted to know. You can trauma dump on me as much as you need to." He winks, a playful spark in his eyes that makes me smile.

I snuggle closer, tucking my head underneath his chin. His arms wrap around me and he begins rubbing my back. “And don’t forget, you also have uncle Marcus," he adds with a chuckle. "He seems a little too excited for this baby.”

I go still in his arms. “I have Marcus, but I still don’t have you, right?” The question lingers in the air.

Noah tightens his grip, hugging me tight to his chest. “You have me right now,” he says softly.

Right now. Once this baby comes, nothing will be the same. I close my eyes and let the sting wash over me. If this is all I get, then I’m going to enjoy every second I can with him.

Eventually, we both drift off to sleep, still wrapped around each other.

Chapter 23

Noah

As I scramble to prepare for my trip to California, I don’t see Emma around the office. That doesn’t stop my mind from wandering to her every other minute though. Our conversations over the weekend play on a loop inside my head, drawing me into an emotional spiral.

I’m so distracted on my way to the airport that I don’t notice when the car in front of me hits their brakes. I barely have time to react before I rear-end them. The sound of metal crumpling and horns pierce my ears. Thankfully, everyone turned out to be okay, but there is no hope for my car. After exchanging insurance information, I take an Uber the rest of the way and make it to my flight on time.

It’s only when I finally touch down in California that I realize I had a text from Emma, sent five hours earlier.

Emma: I tried to catch you before you left for the day; you must have been in a hurry. I hope you have a safe and smooth flight. Xoxo.

I lean my head back against the seat, feeling like a dick. I’ll have to call her later, tell her about the fender bender so she doesn’t think I’ve been ignoring her.

Except I don’t call her. In typical Noah fashion, I don’t text her either. I stay busy over the week, checking on the hotel project and keeping Mr. Adachi updated at every turn. The first

hotel in this series is the most crucial. After the first one is complete, the project manager will oversee the rest. And this is the excuse I tell myself for avoiding Emma like the dirtbag I am.

When I’m with Emma, everything else fades away, and it’s easy to be with her in the moment. I can almost see a happy future with her filled with children. I can almost feel her erasing my fears completely. But the second I’m away from her, all hell breaks loose. All of my doubts come flooding back. How can I possibly be a father figure to her kid? Hell, we’ve only known each other for about seven months now—who am I to take on that responsibility?

As Thursday evening unfolds, guilt finally takes over me. I pull out my phone and stare at her contact, my thumb hovering over the call button. What would I even say? That I’ve been a coward? And that I’m terrified—terrified of how quickly she’s wedged herself into my mind and heart. I shake my head and decide against it. I fly back tomorrow evening. I’ll go straight to her house and explain everything face to face. I owe her that much.

———

In the middle of the night, I’m awoken by the incessant buzzing of my phone.

"What the hell?” I murmur, sitting up slightly disoriented. My surroundings are blurry in the haze of sleep, my brain struggling to focus on Marcus’ text messages.

Marco: Hey. Sorry to wake you so late.

Marco: I think Emma is in labor, I’m about to take her to the hospital. I’m just waiting on her to pack her hospital bag.

Marco: She’s been having stomach pains all day. I took her home around lunch, but they haven’t stopped. Call me when you wake up.

I blink into the darkness as the situation slowly comes into focus. Emma is in labor and he couldn’t be bothered to call me? I don’t care that it’s the middle of the night, this is something that warrants a phone call. My heart races as I dial the number for the private jet charter company and order an Uber, and my mind races ahead, imagining Emma in pain.

Me: Tell her I’m on my way, I’ll be there in just a few hours. And next time, for the love of God, CALL ME. Fucker.

Just as I set my phone down, Marcus calls me. I answer the phone with urgency, my heart pounding as I throw my clothes into a duffel bag.

“How is she?” I demand.

“She’s in a lot of pain and she’s really anxious. We’re getting in the car now,” Marcus replies breathlessly. The sound of panic in his voice sends a jolt through me.

“Let me talk to her,” I say, slipping my shoes on and heading towards the exit.

“Noah,” he says exasperated. “She doesn’t want you to come right now. I think it's best if you just stay in California and finish whatever you need to do. You’ll stress her out more by being here.”

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