Page 124 of Come Back for Me
“Okay . . .”
“I . . . screwed up the weekend of Hadley’s birthday.”
Oh God. I have a bad feeling about this.
“And?”
“And I was an idiot. I left the party, because I didn’t want to be anywhere around Declan. I was a mess. I kept crying because our stupid song came on the radio, and so I went out to the pond because that’s what dumb girls who are still in love with their exes do. I stood out there, thinking of him, wanting for things to be different.”
“Syd . . .”
She lifts her hand. “It gets worse. Apparently, he was feeling the same way . . . nostalgic and he came out there as well.”
My chest aches for her because I know how much she still loves him. He’s beentheguy. The one who she can’t seem to get over and yet doesn’t want back in her life.
He hurt her more than she’ll ever admit.
“Please tell me you didn’t . . .”
“Okay, I won’t tell you.”
Yeah, it’s bad. “And now?”
Her eyes lift to mine and a tear falls down her cheek. “Now, I need to take a test.”
I take her hand, and decide to confess my own fear. “I do too.”
“You’re?”
“I don’t know,” I say quickly. “But I’m late, and Connor and I have been pretty . . . busy not caring.”
I had my IUD removed, and we both sort of figured if it happens, then it’s meant to be. I’ve always wanted more kids, and he’s the only man I want to have a family with.
“Do you have a test?” she asks.
I picked up one of those value packs because I’m one of those crazy people who will need at least four tests to confirm what test one says.
I nod, and we head into the bathroom. I hand her the one, letting her go first, and then, it’s my turn.
We have three minutes.
I set the timer, and we sit in the dining room.
“Not how you thought lunch would go, huh?”
I shake my head. “No, but . . . I get it.”
“What am I going to do if it’s positive?”
I remember all too well how it felt when I found out I was pregnant with Hadley. It was terrifying. I wasn’t ready to be a mother, but there I was.
“I know you’re scared, probably more so because you’re alone, but Declan is a good man. He’s not going to make you do this alone.”
“He can’t know.”
Now, it’s my turn to be taken aback. “You have to tell him.”
“When I’m ready. Not now. Promise me, Ellie. You have to promise you won’t tell him or Connor.”
