Page 166 of Not Another Yesterday
Cat
I’ve been an anxious, restless mess all day.
From the moment I woke up, my chest has felt tight with nerves, my thoughts looping endlessly, obsessively. I’ve spent the whole day hoping, wishing, praying that Ronan would find what he’s been looking for—peace, answers, maybe even a sliver of hope. Something. Anything to lighten the weight he’s been carrying for so long.
I know today is going to change things. Hopefully for the better.
Shane’s right—Ronan needs a win. Desperately. And I’ve been clinging to that thought all day, trying to keep myself distracted. I haven’t texted or called him once, though I’ve wanted to. My fingers have itched to dial his number, my hand constantly reaching for my phone to check for missed calls or messages.
I’ve tried to give him space—to let him do this on his terms—but the longer the silence stretches, the more I feel like I’m crawling out of my skin. By the time nine o’clock rolls around, I’m practically vibrating with anxiety.
Finally, I give in and call Shane. He answers on the first ring.
“Have you heard from him?” I ask, skipping the greeting.
“Nope. I was hoping you had,” Shane says, his voice tight.
“What does that mean?” I ask, bracing myself for the worst.
“It means nothing,” he says. “They might still be talking, or maybe they’re just decompressing. Try not to freak out.”
“Excellent advice,” I say sarcastically.
“I’ve been known to offer that from time to time,” he jokes, and I smile despite myself.
“Uh-huh. And are you taking your own advice?”
“Definitely not.”
“Ugh, this is killing me,” I groan.
“Yeah, me too, but—”
“Shane, it’s Ran,” I say as another call comes through. “He’s calling me. I’ll call you back.” I hang up without waiting for a reply.
“Hey, baby,” Ronan says the moment I pick up, his voice velvety and warm.
I smile instantly. “Hi,” I breathe, curling up on the bed, my hand absently rubbing my stomach.
“How are you two?” he asks gently.
My heart stutters.
You two.
Something about the way he says it—soft and sure and already folded into this new future we’re building—makes my heart expand in my chest. He doesn’t hesitate. Doesn’t flinch. It’s not just me he’s asking about, it’sus.Me and this little person growing inside me. His child. Our baby.
I blink hard, my throat tightening. This is the version of Ronan I always believed was in there, even when he couldn’t see it himself—theprotective, gentle, loving boy…manwho talks to his unborn baby without even realizing he’s doing it. The man who’s already showing up.
It makes something in me melt. God, I love him.
I press my palm more firmly over my stomach, my smile deepening.
“We’re good,” I say, voice soft with emotion. “We’re resting.”
“Good. How was your day?”
“Busy. I took Sammy to get mani-pedis—she’s a diva, obviously—and then hung out with Tori, Vada, and Summer for a bit.” I pause. “But more importantly… how was your day? How are you?”
