Page 18 of This I Promise

She giggles and it eases some of the ache in my chest. “Slow down, Evan. Let me sit down first.”

I scoop her into my arms, causing her to yelp, and carry her to the couch. “Are you okay? How’s the baby?” My gaze roams over her body, looking for any signs of distress.

“I feel fine. The baby’s fine. Relax.”

“You’ve been gone for two hours, Abby, pregnant and alone. How am I supposed to relax? What if something happened to you or to the little nugget?”

She tilts her head and stares at me. “You really love this baby, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do.” I place my hand on her stomach, loving the feeling of her warm belly beneath my palm, especially when our little girl moves. “I love you too, you know.”

Her eyes go wide and I swear she stops breathing. “You do? Like as a friend, or…”

I cup her face in my hands and kiss her lips. “Like a friend who’s in love with you. Like head over heels, crazy about you. Like marry you and make more babies with you.”

Her mouth opens and closes like a fish, and I refrain from laughing at how adorable she is.

“I’m in love with you, Abby. I always have been, but I was too blind to see it until now.”

She buries her face in her hands and starts to cry, making my heart sink into my shoes.

“Fuck, you don’t feel the same way.” The thought guts me.

Abby’s head whips up and she looks at me. “No! That’s… That’s not it!”

I turn my body toward hers and gently wipe away her tears. “Then what is it? You can tell me anything, even if you need to tell me you don’t love me.” It’ll kill me, but I’ll accept it.

She releases a shuddering breath and throws her arms around my neck. “I love you so much, Evan. I knew it months ago, but was afraid to say anything,” she cries.

Well, aren’t we a fucking pair?

“I knew it the first time we had sex. I just wasn’t sure you felt the same,” I confess. “And when this little nugget is born…” I return my hand to her belly. “I want to be her dad. I understand Davis might be in the picture, but we’ll figure it out. As long as he keeps his hands off you, or I’ll break them.” I scowl, thinking about him touching her.

“I doubt he wants anything to do with me or the baby. I don’t think we have to worry about him.”

That might be the best news I’ve heard all week.

“So you forgive me then? I really am sorry about what I said.” I’m still kicking myself about earlier.

“You know I can never stay mad at you, even when you deserve it.” She pinches her lips together, but the corners twitch as she suppresses a smile. “So… how do you plan to make it up to me?”

I lift her in a bridal carry and run toward our bedroom as she giggles.

“Oh my God! What are you doing?”

“I’m making it up to you with my big dick. You seem to like it.” I smirk, and Abby hides her pretty face in my chest while she laughs.

It’s beentwo weeks since Abby and I made our relationship official. Which also makes it the most blissful two weeks of my life. Being able to openly kiss her anytime and anywhere I want feels amazing, and the sex has never been better. I’d read thatsome women experience an increased sex drive when pregnant, but Abby’s has been off the charts. She practically demands it whenever we get five seconds alone. Not that I’m complaining. I just hope it continues even after the baby is born.

She’s working her last shift at the jewelry store and I’m headed that way to pick her up. It’s nearing the end of her pregnancy, so Dr. Cadigan urged Abby to get off her feet and rest as much as possible. Her boss has been great and even encouraged her to start her maternity leave early. Abby was resistant at first, not wanting to leave the store short-handed, but Jill assured her they’d be fine.

When I pull up to the curb, fury floods my veins at what I see happening through the front window. I fly out of my truck, almost forgetting to close the door as I stomp inside, headed straight for my girl.

“Abby, just listen. I know you talked to Lucy, but she’s a liar. She’s jealous and trying to keep us apart.”

I can’t believe Davis has the balls to show his face around here again.

“You’re a real piece of work.” There’s nothing but disgust in Abby’s tone, and it makes my chest puff with pride.

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