Not a chance.
“Did you have a plan when you came out here, or are you winging it?” Hayes asks.
Leave it to my big brother to point out the flaw in my every action over the past three days.
I flip him off.
Affectionately.
Begonia laughs, then groans and grabs her belly.
Hayes lunges forward in his seat. “Contraction?”
That would be bad. She’s only about six months along. Still massively pregnant, but only six months along.
Twins and all that.
And once again, I wish I’d learned all of these things about pregnancy from Emma.
Not from my sister-in-law.
She shakes her head at Hayes. “I have topee. I laughed, so I have to pee.”
“Four minutes,” Nikolay reports.
“I can’t wait to have my bladder back.”
“I can’t wait to get my head back on straight,” I mutter.
She grabs my hand and squeezes. “The thing about mistakes, Jonas, is that they give you the best opportunities to learn and grow and do it better. You’re going to be okay. Emma’s going to be okay. Actually, I think she was already okay, but that’s not helpful, is it? But don’t worry. We’ll work this out, and everyone will be happy. You’ll see.”
I’m usually happy to share in her enthusiasm.
But also, I usually haven’t left a woman after sleeping with her and gone radio silent while she carried, gave birth to, and raised my kid.
I thought my divorce was a disaster.
That was nothing compared to what I’m facing here.
13
From the text messages of Emma Monroe and an unknown number
Unknown Number: Hi, Emma. This is someone who once made a fool of myself running away from a chicken during a picnic lunch with you on a hillside. And also someone who acknowledges that you probably don’t want to hear from me. I’d love to have the opportunity to explain myself at your convenience. But more pressing, I’d sincerely like to take care of having security cameras put on your house. Preferably today.
Emma: That’s very kind of you, but I’ve already installed security cameras. Have a lovely day.
Unknown Number: Are there other people causing you problems?
Emma: No. Just you.
Unknown Number: So your ex…?
Emma: Tricked into marriage with a horrible prenup by the worst gossip in town, divorced, and living the life he deserves. Which I tend to not think about at all anymore unless I happen to run into him or until someone brings it up.
Unknown Number: *wincing emoji* Is there any possibility I can properly apologize and do something right?
Emma: No.
