But I have to be a big girl and face my problems eventually. If only this particular problem didn’t feel like a knot of terror that threatens to unravel me.
I hear movement at the front door and still my eyes don’t open.
Not when I feel the dip of the mattress. Not until I feel the intensity of his gaze on my cheek.
I crack my eyes open and turn over to him with a sigh. He’s wearing black joggers and a T-shirt.
Seeing him in normal clothes always sends a shock through my system. He looks good in them, in everything he wears. But this look makes me want to rake my nails through every inch of him.
“You’re angry,” I say taking note of his expression.
“Astute observation,” he retorts, the muscle ticking in his jaw.
I just got back from the mall-slash-doctor’s-appointment, and it’s official. I am two months pregnant. I sat in that office not feeling surprised, but excited.
I already knew I was pregnant. The confirmation made me happy.
Then I started thinking about the father of the baby, and my happiness began to dampen. I have no idea how he’ll react to it. But one thing’s for sure, I have to tell him. If for nothing else but so I can get it out of the way and come to terms with the fact that I’m going to have a little baby of my own.
I’ve always wanted kids. It was on the top of the list on my ten-year plan. And while it’s coming a little early, I couldn’t be more glad.
I never would have thought I’d be having a baby with Matteo Vitale, however. That’s a curveball I didn’t see coming.
Not in a million years.
“I’m sorry we ditched the guards,” I say lowly.
“You also got rid of your phone,” he grits out.
Anger rolls off him like a sonic wave, calm and dangerous. And if it were anyone else, alarm bells would be going off in my head. But with him I simply scoff, meeting his eyes head on. Figures I’m about to tell him the single most important thing ever and we’re starting off with a fight.
“Yes, I got rid of my phone. I bought a new one. It’s pretty nice, right?” I say, waving the phone in his face.
“Lindsay,” he growls.
“Matteo,” I say in a similar tone. “If you put a tracker or even attempt to hack into this one, we’re going to have serious problems.”
“Do you have any idea what I thought when you and Valentina went missing like that?” he questions, and I can seewhat’s hidden beneath the surface of his anger. “I thought you were gone.”
Almost immediately, all the anger in my body evaporate. I’m left with a hollow ache and a clenching in my chest. I sit up so I can look at him clearly.
“I’m not going anywhere, Matteo,” I assure him.
His admission comes with a startling realization. He must have been preparing for this. For the possibility of me leaving. He doesn’t seem to believe me, so I shift even closer, our gazes clashing.
“Read my lips, Matteo. I am not going anywhere,” I state. “You’re unfortunately stuck with me. God help you on your journey.”
When his lips twitch, I feel my muscles loosen.
“So where did you and Valentina go?” he asks curiously.
I blow out a breath, chewing on the inside of my cheek. Matteo zeroes in on the movement and all the worry in his expression returns.
“What’s wrong?”
“Okay, so I’m going to tell you something and I need you to not be angry. Or upset,” I start then curse underneath my breath. “Actually, no. You can feel however you want to feel. Just be honest about it, okay?”
“Tell me what’s going on,” he commands.
