His hand finds my chin immediately, tipping it just enough that I have to meet his eyes. "I will. I'll tell her today."
"How do you think she'll take it?"
A slow exhale through his nose as his face pulls back, full ofguilt. "Badly, I'm sure. I tried to bring it up before, and she threw a vase at me. Told me I ruined her life. She was... reluctant."
"Reluctant?" I repeat, pulling back a little so I can see him clearly. "Meaning... she doesn't want to divorce you?"
"I don't know." His gaze drops for a beat before looking up again. "I didn't want to upset her further, considering everything and her situation."
My face drains of all color.
"I will do everything I can, I swear I will," he says when he sees it.
"But what if you can't?" I say, shifting on the bed. "What if she doesn't let you?"
He blinks and for a second, the certainty slips off his face before he catches it mid-fall.
"She will," he says then, steady but still not quite convincing. "Her hormones are reasonably unstable now, so she keeps changing her mind. But I know what I want."
I know he says that, but what if Lisa won't let him go?
I mean, would I have any right to say anything?
Of course not. No matter how you see it, I'm in the wrong.
He sees right through me again—my panic turning into a full meltdown, and frowns.
"What are you thinking right now? Tell me," he says, voice low.
"Nothing. I know it's not easy," I mutter and try for the smile that feels practiced and too gracious to be real. Then pivot because that's what supportive girlfriends do—we swallow the ache and turn it into encouragement.
"You'll be an amazing dad, you know. How are you feeling about it?"
A whole storm crosses his face all at once. He draws in a long breath and blows it out. "Terrified, if I'm being honest, but also excited."
I swallow hard, but manage to smile as I brush his hair with my fingers. "I can see you tucking them to sleep every night, making up ridiculous bedtime stories. You'll also spoil them rotten, always sneak extra dessert behind Lisa's back."
He smiles. "That's for sure."
"They'll have your eyes." I run my fingers gently over his eyelashes, then move them to his lips. "Sleep with their mouth open just like you do." I look at him and smile. "And they'll absolutely adore you."
His mouth twists into something dour. "Doubt it. I've made too many mistakes."
I shake my head. "They won't see that. They'll see what you do right and know you'll always sacrifice for them. No matter what. They'll come first."
The lump in my throat starts burning, so I turn my face away before he can see me struggling and pretend I'm checking a spec on my shoulder that isn't there.
He studies me pensively, the morning light cutting over his stubble, then moves my face back to him gently. "You're not being honest with me, Emma."
I look down and swallow hard.
"Give it to me straight, I can take it," he says.
I breathe heavily, biting my lip. Then admit quietly: "Idon't know how I'll handle it at times, sharing you."
His face somewhat hardens and he doesn't say anything.
I shake my head. "Not with the baby—with her. Lisa. The baby..." I smile, genuinely. "I'll love the second I see them. A mini you. I mean, how could I not?"
