Page 115 of Lowering His Guard

“I need to tell you something.”

The waitress arrives but Brock scowls at her and she runs away.

“What is it?”

I try to gather my courage, but it’s hard to find. I’d rather face a tsunami while in the middle of the Indian Ocean than answer his question.

“Pint-sized,” Brock calls and I raise my gaze to meet his. His blue eyes are full of worry. “Tell me.”

“I can’t have children,” I blurt out.

“You can’t have children?”

“I knew this would be a problem. I knew you’d dump me the minute you found out.”

He holds up a hand. “Slow down. I didn’t say it’s a problem. I didn’t dump you.”

My shoulders slump. “But you will. It’s only a matter of time. I can’t give you a family.”

“Do not put words in my mouth.”

“Fine.” I motion to him. “Go ahead. Use your own words to break my heart.”

“Pint-sized, you need to calm down.”

“I need to calm down?” I screech. “I’m losing the man I love. I’m allowed to be upset.”

“The man you love?”

“Yes, the man I love. I love you. There, are you happy? You’ve completely destroyed me. Go you!”

He growls. “I’m not destroying you. I would never destroy the woman I love.”

I freeze. “The woman you love?”

“The woman I love.”

“But I can’t give you children. I can’t give you a family. You just said you want a family.”

“We can be a family of three with Jace. Or we can adopt. Or we can get a surrogate. Not being able to have children is not the end of the world.”

I sniff as tears well in my eyes. “It feels like the end of the world.”

He stands before coming to kneel in front of me. He grasps my hands. “Pint-sized, I love you. We’ll make it work. We’ll figure it out.”

“But you’re giving up so much. Your career. Your chance to have a bigger family.”

“And I’m gaining the woman I love.”

“What happens in five years' time when you realize you made a mistake?”

He growls. “I’m not making a mistake.”

I tug my hands free from his. “I’m sorry, Brock. I can’t let you ruin your life.”

“You aren’t ruining my life. I’ll prove it to you.”

“I don’t know how.” I dash a tear from my cheek. “I love you with all my heart, Brock. But I can’t let you sacrifice your future for me.”