Page 61 of Pregnant in Plaid
"I do. Because you care too much to screw it up." He finishes his beer. "Look, you want my advice?"
"Do Ihave a choice?"
"No. Here it is—tell her. Before she leaves. Before she gets scared and runs. Tell her exactly how you feel and what you want and let her decide."
"And if she says no?"
"Then at least you tried." He stands, stretching. "But I don't think she will."
"Why not?"
"Because I've seen the way she looks at you when she thinks nobody's watching." He grins. "She's falling for you too. She's just too stubborn to admit it yet."
Hope flares in my chest. "You think?"
"I know. Tessa told me."
"Tessa said that?"
"Not in so many words. But yeah." He heads toward the bathroom. "Tell her, Trace. Before you lose your chance."
I sit there, turning the beer bottle in my hands.
Tell her. Simple advice. Terrifying execution.
But Gage is right. I can't keep waiting for the perfect moment. At this rate, Patrice will leave and I'll never know what could've happened.
The party winds down around ten. Derek gives me the doll to practice with at home, which I try to refuse but he insists.
"Trust me," he says. "You'll need it."
Tyler and Ben leave first, still arguing about car seats. Jake starts cleaning up. Old Jim waves from his usual corner, already settling in for his nightly whiskey routine.
"Ready to head out?" Gage asks.
"Yeah. Need to pick up Patrice."
"From my place, where you dropped her off." He grins. "You know, the place where I also live and need to get back to."
"Right. Want a ride?"
"Nah. You go ahead. I'll close up here with Jake and head back with him."
We say goodnight in the parking lot.
The drive through town is quiet. Snow falls light, catching in the headlights. The lodge disappears behind me, and I'm alone with my thoughts and the stupid baby doll in the passenger seat.
Tell her.
I practice the words in my head.
"Patrice, I need to tell you something. I love you."
No. Too formal.
"Patrice, I've been thinking. I love you."
Worse.
