Page 65 of Protect My Heart
‘And now, for the first time,’ the minister says, ‘I’d like to present to you Nicholas and Lyndsay Kanfield.’
Shit. I missed the whole ceremony. I was too wrapped up thinking about Mia and the baby and the fact that in a few short months, I’m going to be a dad.
The wedding guests go into the barn where we’re serving appetizers and cocktails. The rest of us remain outside for the pictures. I hope it doesn’t take long. I really need to talk to Mia.
Just as I’m thinking that, she walks up to me, looking beautiful in her light pink dress, her long dark hair blowing inthe breeze. She’s the mother of my child. I can’t believe this is happening.
‘Jason, I think I’m going to go,’ she says.
‘Go? Mia, no, you can’t leave. We need to talk.’
‘We can talk later. This is a special day for your family. I don’t want them feeling awkward having me here. This should be a celebration.’
‘It is, and you being here isn’t making anyone feel awkward. My family loves you. Just look at how my mom reacted to the news. She couldn’t stop hugging you.’
‘And what about you? You haven’t said or done anything to let me know how you feel about this.’
‘Because I’m not sure. I’m still trying to process it.’
Mia glances behind me. ‘The photographer has everyone lined up. You need to get over there.’
I hold her arm. ‘Don’t leave. You can’t. You don’t even have your car here.’
‘Kate offered to give me a ride back to your apartment.’
‘And then what? You’re going back to Madison?’
She nods.
‘No. Mia, we have to talk about this.’
‘You need more time. There’s no use talking about it if you haven’t accepted it.’
‘Jason,’ a guy says. I turn and see the photographer coming up to me. ‘We’re ready for you. If you could just go stand by your brothers?’
‘Yeah, I’m coming.’ I turn back to Mia. ‘Please don’t leave. When I’m done with this, we’ll go in the house and talk.’
She doesn’t agree to it, but she doesn’t say no. As I’mwalking over to my brothers, I look back and see Mia going into the barn.
‘Hey,’ I say to Brody. ‘Text your girlfriend and tell her not to give Mia a ride.’
‘She’s leaving?’ Brody asks.
‘She can’t unless someone gives her a ride. Kate told her she would, so you need to stop her.’
‘Maybe you should let her go,’ Nick says. ‘You’re not in a good place to be talking to her right now.’
‘It can’t wait. We’re having a baby. We have decisions to make.’
‘They don’t have to be made today,’ Sawyer says.
‘Okay, everyone look this way,’ the photographer says.
I force a smile on my face, hoping it doesn’t look fake. I don’t feel like smiling right now, which I know is wrong. I should be happy I’m going to be a dad. I’m just not there yet. All I can think about is how I’m going to see my kid when Mia moves to Boston.
When the photos are done, I go up to Nick. ‘Congratulations.’ I give him a hug. ‘I should’ve said that sooner. Sorry, I’m kind of out of it right now. But this is your day and I don’t want what happened earlier to take away from it.’
‘Don’t worry about it. Is Mia still here or did she leave?’
