Page 76 of Unsure in Love

I suppose I should have expected this to happen. Cassandra Bennet was a hard, emotional nut to crack. I’d been making progress but deep down, I knew there was a chance she’d find a reason to push me away. I guess whatever happened with her father was the final straw. It was no surprise that she was emotionally withdrawing—I’d come to know her a little better. However, what shocked me was how hurt I was by it.

I never thought the day would come when I’d fall so much in love with a woman that she had the power to hurt me. Of course, not wanting to show vulnerability, I kept my expression schooled and buried my disappointment.

As the lift ascended, my mind shifted to ideas about moving. I wasn’t sure how Cass and I would work things out but if she came back to New York in a few weeks or months, maybe going up to the top floor would be too much of a hassle for her. What about when the baby was born? Did babies and penthouses go together? Maybe I should get a cozy two-story house in the burbs with a white picket fence and all.

Sure, Cass was withdrawing from me emotionally right now; however, like I said, I had come to know her well. No matter her feelings toward me, she’d never keep me out of my child’s life. I knew she’d make the effort to come back to New York as I’d make the effort to go to her. We’d work together for the sake of our child.

Shit, I’m going to be a father.

Although I’d gotten used to the idea and came to love it, I still had moments of mild panic.

“Hey, are you okay?” Cass asked.

As I stared at her, it was tempting to express how worried I was about losing her. I’d fallen for her, and it seemed she didn’t feel the same way. However, I kept my feelings to myself. She’d been through enough. Going another round through the emotional wringer probably wasn’t good for her or the baby.

“Fine,” I said. “What about you?”

Our gazes were locked so I caught the flicker of pain she tried to hide. She forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

I didn’t call her out on her lie. When the elevator stopped, we stepped into the foyer. The tension between us had started the moment I stepped into my office to check on her after her father left. Now, the strained energy between us rose several notches. I searched her face, trying to find the right words. She stared at me too.

“It’s been a long day,” she said. “I’m really tired.” Her eyes were beseeching as if begging me not to bring up her strange mood.

“Of course, you should get some rest. I’ll order something for dinner.”

“You don’t have to—”

“You need to eat something.” She’d skipped out on lunch because she was so nervous about seeing Henry. No matter how hurt I was by her emotional detachment, I’d put her well-being first.

Cass pulled in a breath. I expected an argument because she hated being told what to do. Funnily enough, I looked forward to her sassy comment because that would mean she wasn’t as defeated as she looked but she just nodded. “I’ll see you in a bit then.”

I stifled a sigh as she turned to trudge away. Hope flickered to life when she stopped and turned back to me.

“Damian?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks for everything.”

It was a struggle to keep my disappointment from showing. “No problem.”

Her gaze lingered on my face as if she wanted to say something else, but she turned and walked away. Cass was leaving in a couple of days, and the progress we’d made in our relationship seemed to have regressed all the way to square one.

“Just fucking awesome,” I grumbled.

* * *

I sat on one of the sofas facing the window, my mind stuck on a woman who walked out of my life a week ago to return to Nebraska.

“Damian.”

Okay, I was being a tad dramatic. She didn’t quite exit my life because she carried my child, and we discussed how we’d make sure I was a part of the rest of her pregnancy and birth. As I knew she would, Cassandra agreed to take a few more trips over to my side before she could no longer travel. Then, I’d go to her. I wasn’t completely satisfied with being a part of her life part-time, but it was the best we could do for now.

“Damian.”

What irked me was that she hadn’t been in touch since she called and told me she’d reached home. I wasn’t sure about calling her because she'd been so withdrawn before she left. As skittish as she was about relationships, I didn’t want to push her too hard… or come off as desperate.

“Damian!”

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