Immediately, I second-guess myself. I should have waited to ask. It’s too soon.
His expression remains serious. “By ‘there,’ you mean the delivery room?”
“Uh-huh.”
He shifts, hovering over me now, his eyes locking with mine. “Did you really think I wouldn’t want to be there? That I’d be okay missing our daughter’s birth?”
My heart flutters, warmth spreading through me.
“Of course I’ll be there. For you. And our little girl.”
“Really?”
“Really,” he murmurs.
I put my hand on the back of his neck, pulling his face down until our lips meet. The kiss is slow and gentle, making my skin hum. Only when it feels like I might faint due to lack of oxygen do I move away.
With his forehead pressed to mine, Hayden exhales. “Never hesitate to talk to me. About anything. I love you, and I will do absolutely anything for you.” He plants a kiss on my nose. “And for our baby girl.”
“Okay,” I whisper, turning to my right side. “Can you please hold me?”
A throaty chuckle leaves his mouth as he pulls me to his chest, his palm resting on my belly from behind.
“Love you, Ry baby.” He kisses the crown of my head.
“Love you too.”
Drifting off to sleep while feeling absolute happiness? With Hayden it’s something that I feel all the time.
40
how are you even real?
HAYDEN
“How is Riley?”
“She’s doing good,” I tell my brother as I step into the penthouse. “Dr. Bell was very happy with her thyroid hormone levels at our last appointment.” With the phone tucked between my ear and shoulder and a bouquet of pink tulips in hand, I slip off my shoes. “And our baby girl is growing. We’re good.”
“That’s great. I’m happy for you. We all are.”
Warmth spreads through me. “Thanks.”
My phone pings in my ear, so I pull it away to check the notification.
Nastya:
How is Riley?
The question has my pulse spiking. From Hunter it’s fine, a casual topic, but from Nastya? Did something happen?
Another ping.
Nastya:
She’s not picking up my calls. I’m worried
My stomach lurches. I swallow thickly, then press my phone to my ear again. “Sorry, Hunter, something came up. I need to get going.”
