Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
He stared at me, his expression completely unreadable. “You expect me to walk away?” He sounded hurt, and that wasn’t my intention.
“No. You’re a great guy, Levi, and I know you don’t want to walk away from this responsibility,” I admitted out loud. “But I also recognize that this might not be something you want for yourself or your life. We haven’t been seeing each other all that long—not even long enough to actually define what this is. But I know that this baby, that being a mother, is what I want. And if you don’t want it, I get it.” I looked away to blink back the tears that threatened to fall. I wouldn’t do that to him—make him feel manipulated by my tears.
Levi said nothing for a long time, his jaw clenched tight and his eyes hard, unreadable when I searched his handsome face. “And if I do want it?”
I let my heart dare to hope just for a moment. Did he mean he wanted it with me or just the baby? Did it matter when he’d be giving my baby a father? Right. “If you do, then we’ll figure out how to do this together.” Doing this with a partner would be easier.
At least until he moves on, the cynic who lived in my heart reminded me unnecessarily.
“Okay. Then what do we do now?”
I knew what he was asking because it was the question that burned deep in my gut. I wanted the answer just as much as I didn’t want to hear it. “Well, I think you’re a great guy, sweet and sexy, and if things work out between us, that would be amazing. But if it doesn’t, then you’ll give me good memories of dating while I dive into single motherhood.”
He laughed. “You’ve got it all figured out.”
“Nope,” I replied, letting the ‘p’ pop loudly. “But I know what I want, so I’m figuring it out as I go.” With or without him.
Levi nodded as he studied me. “Do you want to do this with me or without me?”
“I want to do it with you, but only if that’s what you want. I don’t want to suffocate under the weight of being somebody’s burden or obligation. I want someone who’s here because there’s no place else they’d rather be.” That had always been my dream for myself, and it was also what I wanted for my baby.
His green eyes bore into my soul for so many moments that I could hardly breathe. “Then I’m here, Rob. And make no mistake, this is right where I want to be.”
Oh.
Wow.
I had no response for that.
14 LEVI
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Rob asked the question for the third time in five minutes, her expression a mix of worry and reassurance.
I stopped and turned to her, dressed down in jeans and a t-shirt, with an oversized cardigan on top that gave her jade eyes an otherworldly quality. She'd made an effort with her hair, removing the messy bun in favor of soft waves. She was always beautiful, but today she was stunning.
"Are you sure?" I turned the question around on her because she was the one feeling nervous. Although the color had returned to her cheeks and she wore a thin layer of makeup, my worry ran deep. I still hadn't gotten over the sight of her pale and sickly, barely able to stand up under her own energy, and no matter what she said, I was going to worry. "Well?"
Rob shrugged. "It's jellybean counting; I'll be fine. I swear." She held up her index finger and made an 'X' shape over her heart.
"Okay," I agreed. "And it's guessing how many jellybeans are in the jar. We're not dumping it out and counting, you know that, right, Rob?"
"What's the difference?" she asked flippantly.
"About two hours."
Her expression went blank before a loud laugh exploded out of her. "Yeah, okay, fair point. Yes, I'm fine. Are you?"
I nodded and took her hand in mine. "As long as you don't pass out like that again, I think I'll be fine."
"With as close as you're standing, I don't think I'll be in any danger."
Okay, so maybe I'd been a little too cautious since she fainted in the park, but who could blame me when that one act shaved at least six years off my life? I stuck close to her, and not just because I was terrified she might faint again. It was also because she smelled good. Because there was this electric heat that arced between us when we were together, and it was so damn intoxicating. Mostly, it was because she was Rob. "Is that a problem?"
"Nope," she smiled and clasped her palm to mine, dragging me to the community center where the tables were set up. "Come on."
Long tables were set up in a rectangle around the giant jar of colorful jellybeans, and Rob, of course, chose a table that gave us a good view of the door but not a direct path. "Odd choice, but okay."