Page 57 of Fall for You (Flirting with Forever 4)

She jerks, so lost in her thoughts she doesn’t realize I’m here. She looks at me in confusion at first, but then in wonder, her hands shaking in front of her as she drops them. “What are you doing here?”

I tilt my head to the side. “Did you really think I wouldn’t come? Sophia texted me. That’s our child’s grandmother in there.”

And she breaks.

Without thought to the current status of our relationship, I pull her out of her seat and sideways onto my lap. She needs me right now, and I’ll be damned if I’ll let anything come between us.

“Liam,” my name whispers from between her lips, and tears roll down her cheeks. Her voice rough, she says, “They came out to tell me they were done but she was in a lot of pain, and I had to wait to see her. They won’t let me see her.”

Her head nestles against my chest, and I stroke one hand up and down her back. “It’s going to be okay. I wish you had told me. I’d have come with you to wait.”

She heaves a watery sigh. “I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t know if I had any right to ask after I decided we needed to think things through.” She grimaces. “Oh my God, I feel terrible that I made her do this.”

“First, don’t worry about me. I will always be here for you. No matter what happens, there’s a little something happening that says you’re now a permanent fixture in my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way, sweetheart.” I sigh. “And unless you knew this operation wouldn’t work and still made Meg do it, I don’t see why you should feel terrible. You didn’t force her. She agreed to it, right? And it’s going to help her.”

“I hope so.”

“When she’s feeling better and can function better at work, she’s going to be grateful. You’ll see.” I gently brush a few strands of hair out of her face, tucking them behind her ear.

A while later, we’re still waiting when hushed voices from around the corner tell us we’re no longer alone.

To my surprise, Sophia, Becky, and Olivia all come into view at once.

Quinn launches out of my lap and into Sophia’s outstretched arms. I can just barely make out the soothing words Sophia whispers as she holds her friend in a tight embrace.

Olivia gives me a big hug, then Becky extends me a more cautious one.

“Is Ms. Lockmore’s mom okay, Dad?”

I grind my teeth, glancing at Quinn. “We haven’t heard any more news. All they told Quinn earlier was they were trying to get Meg’s pain under control before she was allowed back to see her. Apparently, it’s been a long, stressful wait.”

Olivia catches Becky’s eye. “Ms. Lockmore’s mom owns the bakery where Dad got my birthday cake this year. It was so good I ate it for breakfast for three days straight.”

Becky’s brows lift, and she gives me a playful oh, really? look.

I can’t do anything but shrug. “A girl only turns sixteen once. Who am I to deny her?”

Just then, Sophia and Quinn step apart, and Olivia moves timidly toward Quinn to offer her a hug. Dammit. My heart stumbles and trips to see the two of them together like this.

Under her breath, Becky speaks quietly from b

eside me, “Sorry. I wasn’t sure if we should come, but when I texted Olivia to let her know what was going on, she insisted I come early and bring her over here.”

“It’s okay. I’m sure Quinn appreciates the gesture.”

“Um.” Becky clears her throat. “I also think you should know Olivia told me about the baby.”

I take a deep breath and hold it, looking up to the ceiling and rocking back on my heels. Slowly, I blow out the air in a concentrated stream, then scrub my hands through my hair. “Sorry. I intended to talk to you about it, but we weren’t quite ready yet.”

Becky gives me a soft smile, patting my arm. “No harm done. Congratulations. Are you ready to do this all over again?” Her gaze falls on our daughter, who is chatting away with Quinn and Sophia.

“Not in the slightest. But I’m looking forward to figuring it all out.”

Chapter 34

Quinn

I watch Liam’s retreating figure as he moves down the hall away from us. He’d said he had something to take care of and left me with Sophia, Becky, and Olivia. With a start, I realize Olivia is talking to me.

---