‘I think the biggest thing you have to worry about is how he’ll react to you leaving. If he wants to be in the baby’s life, he’s not going to be okay with you living a thousand miles away.’
‘That’s what I’m worried about. How are we going to make this work?’
‘Just focus on telling him for now and go from there. You’re getting a hotel room, right? You can’t be driving back tonight. It’s too dangerous. It’ll be dark and you’ll be tired.’
‘I’d be okay driving back, but yes, I’ll get a hotel room just to be safe.’
‘Or you could stay with Jason.’
‘I’m not staying with Jason.’
‘Why? Because you think something might happen?’
‘No, of course not,’ I say, but the truth is, it’s entirely possible something could happen. I never planned on spendingthe night with him at the wedding, but then I ended up in his bed. ‘I just think it’d be better if I stayed at a hotel.’ I turn off on the road that leads to downtown Haydon Falls. ‘I’m almost there. I should go.’
‘Okay. Let me know how it goes.’
‘I will. Bye.’
The small downtown is like a movie set with its historic buildings and all the storefronts decorated for spring. Large planters overflowing with flowers line the street along with black iron benches. Even the trash cans are pretty, made of black metal with a scrolling design on the sides. Nora was right when she said this town was adorable. I see why she likes coming here. I’m sure I’d love it too if I wasn’t so nervous about seeing Jason.
Pulling up in front of the restaurant, my heart takes off when I see Jason waiting outside. He’s just as handsome as I remember; tall with broad shoulders and thick dark hair. He’s wearing jeans and a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
He hasn’t seen me yet. His head is down as he looks at his phone.
I get out of the car and walk up to him. ‘Jason.’
He startles and his head jerks up. ‘Mia.’
He smiles and I get that feeling again, like I’ve known him forever. I had that feeling the night we met. It’s why I felt so close to him, so safe, so connected.
‘It’s good to see you,’ I tell him.
‘It’s good seeing you too.’ He pulls me in for a hug. I wasn’t expecting that, but being in his arms again, I don’t want him to let me go.
This is already harder than I thought it’d be. I imaginedmyself coming here, telling him about the baby, and us discussing next steps as though we were business partners. I was going to keep my emotions out of it. That was the plan.
But seeing him again, feeling his arms around me, that plan is already shattered. The feelings I keep trying to shove away are there and stronger than ever.
He lets me go and motions to the restaurant. ‘I got us a table. I just came out here to wait for you.’ He smiles. ‘And welcome you to Haydon Falls. You haven’t been here before, right?’
‘No, but I like what I’ve seen so far. The downtown is beautiful.’
‘The falls are even better. If we had more time, I’d take you there.’
I’d love to go there with him, but I don’t think he’ll want to spend time with me after he finds out the news. He’ll need time to himself to process the fact that he’s going to be a dad. I’ve known for weeks and I’m still trying to process it.
‘You look great, Mia,’ Jason says, gazing at me.
‘Thanks.’ I glance down at my stomach. I’m not showing yet, but I feel like I am. ‘We should probably go inside.’
‘Right this way.’ He opens the door for me and we go into the restaurant. It’s not what I was expecting. I thought it’d have a small town diner feel, but it’s got more of a big city vibe with its black-and-white color scheme and modern decor.
‘This is nice,’ I say as we sit down at the table.
‘It’s new. Well, it’s been here about a year, which is new for us.’ Jason laughs a little. He seems nervous, or maybe I’m imagining it because I’m feeling nervous. But my nerves have calmed down a little being with Jason. He has such kind eyesand a gentle way about him. I can’t imagine him getting angry. I’m sure he does, but I can’t see him exploding with anger the way I imagined him doing in my head when I told him the news. Why did I think of him that way when I know he’s not like that? Was I trying to imagine him being a jerk with a bad temper so it’d be easier to get over him?
I’m not over him, not even a little. If anything, I like him even more, seeing him in his hometown, wearing casual clothes instead of that suit and tie he had on at the wedding. He looked amazing in the suit, but it didn’t seem right for him. He seems like a jeans and t-shirt type of guy.
