“You’re losing focus,” Thane says finally. “And not just professionally.”
I stare into my glass. “I know.”
“Logan’s worried.”
“That makes one of us.” I counter.
“And Julia asked about you.”
The mention of Thane’s wife gets my attention. “She did?”
“She always liked you. But said you remind her of someone who never learned how to rest.”
I smirk faintly. “Sounds like criticism.”
“It is.” Another sip. Then Thane leans back, expression steady. “Talk to me.”
I laugh under my breath. “About which disaster?”
“All of them. But let’s startwith Emma.”
My jaw tightens automatically.
Judging by the look on Thane’s stern face, he knows about the pregnancy. Of course he does. Logan has never been able to keep a secret a day in his damn life.
“So, you’re going to be a father?” he asks gently.
“Yes.”
“You in love with her?”
I swallow, but I couldn’t lie if I wanted to. “Yes.”
“You're letting her push you away because you’re terrified you’ll fail her?”
I don’t answer, and he nods once. “Thought so.”
He takes another drink. “You know why Julia and I work?”
I reach for my glass. “Because you’re both stubborn as hell.”
“That helps. But mostly because when things get hard, we talk it out. Even when we don’t want to.”He meets my gaze, unwavering. “You don’t need to be perfect, Don. You need to be present.”
The words hit like a hammer, and suddenly, for the first time in weeks, something inside me shifts.
I set my glass down carefully.
“I almost died tonight,” I say.
Thane stiffens. “What?”
“On my bike. West Side Highway.” My voice is quiet, tonight’s near-calamity pricking at the edges of my brain. “For one second, I didn’t see the brake lights. And all I could think was…my kid doesn’t even have a name yet.”
Thane’s expression hardens. "Have you asked her? Have you actually had a conversation about what happened with Vanessa? Her cheating with that Andrew guy—her tennis instructor? Having a baby with him?”
It’s a blow that settles low—only… it doesn’t hit the way it used to. Not even close.
Thane leans forward. “Or are you just assuming the worst because it's easier than risking rejection?"
