“To hear what? That they’re happy for you? That you deserve happiness?”
“No!” he shouts loudly. Too loudly, because it startles Brynn. “Sorry.”
I place my hand on her and rub to soothe her. “Shhhh.”
“Look.” He pauses. “They’ve been telling me to move on for years.”
I decide to listen.
“And to me, what they were saying was I should just forget about Aiden.”
“No.” I shake my head. “That’s not what they meant.” I know it.
“I can see that. Now.”
Once Brynn falls back to sleep, I step closer to Nate. “I understand how you’re feeling. I do. But Brynn isn’t Aiden. And the fact that she won’t have grandparents onmyside breaks my heart. She has Robin, and that’s wonderful, but you’ve been holding back on her. On us. And that’s wrong.” Now I have to wonder. “Do you have siblings?”
He looks down at the ground like he’s ashamed. “Two. Brothers.”
“So Brynn hastwouncles?” God, this makes me so angry. A little at myself that I never asked him about his family. If I had, though, he would have pushed me away, I know it. “Are you close?” It’s possible that they’re estranged or something. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt here.
He nods.
“Dotheyknow about her?”
He gives me that stupid sheepish look again, and I’ve got my answer. The selfish prick.
Stomping into the kitchen, I pick up his food containers and shove them back into the bag. Then I march to the door, open it, hold out the bag and wait.
Why does it feel like I’ve done this same thing about a million times with this man?
Because I have.
When he’s a foot away, Nate looks me in the eye. “I’ll make this right.”
“That’s what you always say.”
“Beautiful, I know I’ve fucked up.”
Cue eye roll.
“A lot. I’ve fucked up a lot, but I’m getting there. Don’t give up on me.”
I look into his sad gray eyes.
“Please?”
I quickly look away, because he’s going to do it. He’s going to make me give in. Again.
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll take that as ‘it’s possible.’”
“You’re screwing with my head again, Nate.” I finally look right at him. “You’re not being fair to me or Brynn. Either you’re in or you’re out. And if you’re in, you’re in for the long haul.” Now I’m getting angry again. “The truth is, I don’t really know you, Nate. You’ve kept so much from me. How am I supposed to know if you mean what you’re saying now?”
He blinks. A bunch. “You’re right. I need to prove to you I’m in.” He reaches out and touches my upper arm. “Iwillprove it to you.” Leaning in, he kisses me on the cheek again, only this time,hislips are about a half inch frommylips.
Dangerous territory.
