Page 122 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

He nodded solemnly. “That brings me to my next confession. Take a seat.”

She settled back in the chair, still clasping his hand.

“The night that Ana disappeared, I found out she was cheating on me. And it wasn’t the first time.”

She’d cheated on him? She couldn’t help the ache in her heart for Nash.

“We argued, and then she left. I got texts from her a little while later, asking me to meet her and telling me she was sorry. I told her no. I had already made plans with Nova to fly to California for a weed convention.”

He stared down at the blanket in his lap. “Ana didn’t contact me again, and I didn’t reach out. I half expected her stuff to be gone from the apartment when I got back. But everything was exactly how we’d left it before the bar. I thought maybe she was with the guy she’d cheated on me with. So I messaged her, and didn’t hear back.”

He sighed. “Nova couldn’t get a hold of her either. By the time I went to the police a couple days later, she’d already been missing for over a week . . . I blamed myself because I was the only person she’d had to count on. If I had reported her missing earlier, maybe they would have found her sooner.”

“How did they know when she went missing? You had an alibi for the first night, but what about after that?”

“After I reported it, Bently pulled the camera footage from the Shipwreck. She was seen getting into a car with another driver. Too blurry to make out plates, or who it was, but that was the last time she was seen alive. I was on that footage getting into Nova’s car and then at the airport. I was out of the state for a week, but by then she’d already not been to work, and no one had heard from her. So unless they have some proof—which they won’t because I didn’t do it—I won’t be held accountable.”

“I’m sorry. I can understand why you’d blame yourself, but I hope you know it wasn’t your fault.”

He nodded. “I do now. At least, I’m trying to believe it. I shut myself off after that for years until you showed up. That first night we were together at the wedding, I felt something spark in me. I couldn’t walk away from you even though I tried. And when we had sex—it all felt so real. I was too vulnerable. That’s why I left you the way I did and shut down.”

She nodded. “I appreciate you explaining that. After everything with Robert, I blamed myself for not being . . . enough in the bedroom. And when you reacted that way, I thought . . .”

He squeezed her hand. “No way, sweetness. You’re a fucking goddess in and out of bed.”

She smiled shyly. Nash tugged her hand, moving over on the mattress.

She pulled away. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Please? Just let me hold you, sweetness.” His hoarse voice dipped with his plea.

She moved to sit beside him, careful of the wires and his stitches from his injury. He wrapped her up in his arm, pulling her against his chest and kissing her temple.

She turned to face him. Affection shimmered in his dark irises, aimed at her.

“Isabella Noveas, I love you more than I’d thought possible. And I swear if you give me the chance, I’m going to remind you every day just how much you mean to me.”

She closed her eyes. It seemed too good to be true.

“I love your smile.” He traced her lips with his finger. “Your fire. And the way you don’t let my grumpy attitude push you around.”

She laughed, meeting his eyes, needing to see the honesty in them.

“I love that you stay true to who you are and stand up for what you need. You push me to be a better man—challenge me in the best of ways.” He palmed her belly. “I love our daughter and hope she’s just like you. And I love Eli like he was my own. Even if you decide you can’t trust me with your heart, I want you to know I’ll respect your decision and I’ll be there for you, him, and our daughter no matter what.”

She tucked her head against his chest. “Where do we go from here?”

He kissed the top of her head. “I think we take a play from your book, and start by stepping into tomorrow.”

54

NASH

Three Weeks Later

Bella pulled out her phone as they walked from the main barn back to their house. She swiped open the screen and tapped a reply before returning the device to her pocket.

She looked adorable with his oversized hoodie snug over her belly. She’d taken to wearing his sweatshirts because hers didn’t fit anymore. It brought him an embarrassing amount of possessive satisfaction to see her in his clothes.

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