Page 27 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

No way . . . I can’t be the man she and this baby need. I can’t protect them. She deserves someone who can give her what she needs—someone who could love her. But . . . that’s my baby. A piece of me. I may not be enough, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to try. Fuck, I’m going to be a dad.

Bella kicked the sand, sending it flying over his feet. “You know what? I don’t need you. I can do this myself. Just forget it. Forget you ever met me.” She stormed past him, running back to the marina.

“Fuck!” he spat. “How the fuck am I going to fix this?”

He’d avoided any and all new attachments, pulling away from everyone since Ana’s disappearance. Now he had a baby on the way and his or her mama to worry about. So much for keeping life simple.

I’m going to be a dad. He might suck at it—hell, he was already off to a horrible start. But he’d make this right. He’d take care of his responsibilities. And he’d do everything in his power to keep Bella and their child safe and provided for.

Maybe that would be enough to atone for his sins.

13

ISABELLA

Isabella slid the last drawer closed, her clothing now put away. Her gaze roamed over her new room at Nova’s house. It was more spacious than the one at her parents’. White shiplap walls with gold geometric-shaped art and watercolor prints with inspiring quotes adorned the walls. A dreamcatcher with white and grey feathers hung above the queen bed, which was covered in at least ten light jewel-toned pillows.

“All settled?” Nova asked, peeking her head inside the room.

“Yes. I love what you’ve done with the place.” Bella smiled.

Nova stepped inside. “It was a fun distraction. I needed to do something with it. It was my fiancé’s gym before . . .” A shadow passed across Nova’s expression. “Well, before. Now it’s a guest room.”

“It’s lovely.”

“Thanks. Should we go check on Eli?”

“Yes. Can’t wait to see his setup.”

Nova led the way down the hall to the last bedroom and knocked.

“Come in,” Eli called.

Nova walked in, Isabella following, taking a look around the space. The queen bed was against a blue-watercolor-stained accent wall; the others were a muted grey. A giant full moon was the centerpiece of the space, directly above the navy-blue bed frame, adding a pop of white. His sheets and comforter were a soft grey to match the walls and the pillows were a mix of the limited color palette. A few black-and-white photos of starry skies and a large splatter painting finished the decor.

“Wow. Seriously, Nova, you should do interior decorating.”

Her friend waved her hand dismissively. “I should have done a great many things. But that’s not my passion—getting people high is.” She laughed. “Just kidding—kinda. I mean, it’s a plus. But getting them the medicinal relief for their symptoms that no other option can, with basically no side effects? Now that is truly fulfilling.”

“That makes sense. Must keep the local takeout places in business too.” Isabella pulled out her phone, pulling up the app to order from Pirates Pizzeria. “Speaking of, I was thinking of ordering pizza for dinner. How does that sound?”

Nova clapped her hands together. “Oh, actually, my parents do a Sunday dinner every week. We’re all invited. You guys don’t have to go if you’re too tired, but my mama wanted me to invite you along. She is the best cook. Seriously, you guys will thank me later. It’s worth the grilling on my lackluster love life every week, so that should tell you all you need to know.”

Isabella chuckled and looked over to Eli. “What do you think, mijo?”

“Is there going to be other kids there?” he asked.

“I have a niece who’s six. She communicates through sign language, but she can hear you,” Nova explained.

“Will you teach me how to say hello to her?” The gesture might have seemed insignificant to some, but for Eli to put in effort for a possible new friend was huge. Social situations could be challenging for him.

Nova beamed. “Absolutely.”

“Can I use the hot tub before we go?” he asked.

“Sure, dude. Just remember to take a towel with you. Bathroom closet, middle shelf.”

Eli smiled triumphantly and went to his drawer to pull out his swim shorts.

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