Page 25 of Perfect Alpha

“I have to talk to Jimmy, but I’m terrified of that conversation. Look what happened last time.”

My heart breaks into a thousand pieces. “Jimmy isn’t Duncan. He’s a solid guy, a real family man.”

“I know,” she agrees. “Iknowthat. I just don’t want him to think he’s obligated to do the right thing and propose or something crazy. I want him to commit to me because he wants to, not because of a surprise baby. Does that make sense?”

“I hear you,” I reply, squeezing her tighter. “But you said things are going well–”

“Not marriage well. We’re supposed to just keep dating and see where things go while I’m carrying his kid? I was with Duncan for five years, and he left me. I haven’t even been with Jimmy for five months.”

“But you’ve known him forever and a day,” I gently remind her. “It’s not like you’re strangers. I wish I had all the answers, but this has to be your decision. I’ll help in any way I can, but no one can tell you what to do.” I rest my hand on her heart. “Follow this.”

“I have a doctor’s appointment next week to date the pregnancy, and I’m asking Cade to take me. I need to tell him sooner rather than later, and I’m dreading that conversation, too.”

As much as I hate Cade for what he did to me and our future, he’s been so good to Hannah and Aidan. This news will shock him, but he’ll be supportive and do whatever his sister needs him to do.

There’s no question that his world starts and ends with his family.

All thoughts of making some headway on the likely one hundred new submissions our agency received this week float away from my mind like wayward balloons in a summer sky. Hannah needs me, and that’s more important than anything in the world.

“Are you feeling okay?” I ask.

“I’m tired, but I don’t have morning sickness or any other symptoms. I took eight pregnancy tests before I believed it was true. Maybe it’s a girl this time.” She gives me a small smile, and I squeeze her hand.

“Well, let’s make the most of the day. The spring fair is on, so let’s take Aidan. We can eat deep-fried donuts, cotton candy, and foot-long hot dogs. Then we’ll go on rides until we all want to puke.”

Hannah and I always go to the spring fair together, and the nostalgic tradition makes her smile. “Okay. Are you still up for watching Aidan tonight?”

A movie date with Cade represents exactly how I donotwant to spend my evening, but I didn’t come to visit my people to break a toddler’s heart. Plus, I don’t want to cause my best friend any additional stress.

“I promised Aidan, so I’ll go, even though I sorely wish your brother didn’t invite himself along,” I reply crossly. “And I’m good to watch him all next week, too, so you can have a break. I booked you a spa day, on me.”

Hannah can’t hide her excitement – she’s basically vibrating. “You’re the best. Thank you. And I can’t wait to hear how this evening goes. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.”

I groan. “You’re enjoying my misery. You’re supposed to love me.”

“Immensely enjoying it,” Hannah chirps, her face brightening as her shoulders rise back up. “And I do love you.”

“Why don’t you grab Aidan and I’ll get ready? We’ll meet back here in thirty minutes.”

Hannah rolls her eyes. “We’ll be here in an hour, New York.”

“Hey,” I complain. “Not you, too.”

As I’m heading upstairs to shower and change, I’m mentally going through the clothes I packed and debating what I should wear tonight. Forcibly shaking my head at how juvenile I’m being, I tell myself there’s no one to impress, and it doesn’t matter what I wear.

But it does.

Under the bluest, biggest sky in the world surrounded by my family and friends, it’s a lot harder to deny the truth that I do my best to ignore when I’m in New York.

Cade is still everything to me.

Chapter 10

Cade

Victorystrollsintothekitchen looking casually sexy in strategically torn jeans, kitten heels, and a perfectly tailored blouse.

Her toned arms, flat stomach, and impossible cleavage are on full display, and her sexy body pulls my eyes like a magnetic force field. To say I’m helpless against this woman would be a gross understatement.

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