She rolled her incredible blue eyes and stared at him. “Happy?”
The sheen in her eyes was a kick in the gut. Hell, no, he wasn’t happy. What was wrong? “Renata—”
“I need to get back, Ash,” she cut him off. “The parade is tomorrow—”
“I know.” He sighed. “And I know, from Irma, that you’ve checked and rechecked every tiny detail.”
Her gaze fell from his. “I still need to get back.” She shifted Curtis, her nose brushing his dark curls. “Please.”
She could dodge him now. The excited chatter of the mothers was growing closer anyway. And Curtis needed his nap. But she couldn’t avoid him forever—he’d make damn sure of that. “Fine. But we’re getting you something to eat.”
She glared at him. “Someone had a ham and cheese kolache delivered to the office this morning.”
He glared right back. “A kolache you should have eaten for breakfast.”
“Ash...” She broke off, sucking in a deep breath, meeting his gaze. “We need to talk.”
A coldness seeped in, starting at the top of his head and descending slowly southward. “Talk.” He forced the word out.
She pressed her eyes shut. “Fine. Please stop. Please.” She buried her nose in Curtis’s hair. “I know you’re going to be a good father—you already are. But you? And me? We both know we’re playing with fire acting this way.”
He stepped closer, hating the gulf widening between them.
Her gaze darted to his. “I’m pregnant. My emotions are in overdrive. By the time I’ve sifted through what I’m feeling, it’s changed.” She swallowed. “Being attracted to me isn’t a valid reason to marry me. Getting me pregnant isn’t a valid reason to marry me—no matter what you or my father think. Only love, Ash. We both know there’s no way a person can fall in love so soon.” Her posture stiffened. “Just, please, stop with the presents, the lunches, the...gestures. All of it. You’re sending mixed signals.”
He had to try. “I wasn’t trying to—”
“You are. The whole town thinks you’re courting me.” She shook her head, her voice rising enough for Curtis to stir. “But we both know you’re not. I’m not sure why you’re doing what you’re doing. Maybe you’re feeling the pressure from...everyone. Maybe you still believe I can’t do this on my own—”
“I never said that.” His hands rested on her shoulders, needing her warmth to chase off the coldness that seeped into his bones.
“Maybe...” She swallowed. “Maybe it’s because of your wife?” Her eyes met his. “I’m healthy, Ash. I’m going to be fine. I know you’ve been to hell and back.” She cleared her throat. “What’s happening here is different. It’s not real. It’s based on heightened emotion and wildly out-of-control desire. It can’t end well. It would be nice for us to stay friends while we’re raising our children.” She stumbled over the last words. “This needs to stop before people get hurt.”
What the hell could he say to that? How could he argue?
Not real?
Meaning she didn’t love him. Whatever he thought or felt didn’t matter. She wouldn’t marry without love—it wasn’t enough that he loved her.
She left him standing in the nursery, numb and desperate and scrambling for some way to make this better. All the way back to town, he was sifting through her words—needing something to hold on to, some glimmer of hope that he, and his heart, still had a chance with her.
“Thanks for the adventure.” She smiled into the back seat before sliding from the truck cab and hurrying inside the City Offices.
He sat, staring at the door, his hands tightening around the steering wheel. That was it? She’d said what she needed to say and that was that? That wasn’t how this was going to work. He didn’t think through what he’d say or do before he mumbled, “Be back,” and followed her inside.
He nodded at Irma and headed straight to Renata’s office, closing the door behind them before she could argue.
“Ash?” She sniffed, her attempt to shrug out of her coat frozen as she stared at him.
The sight of her tear-filled eyes had him crossing the floor, the numbness giving way to something sharp and cutting. “I don’t get a say in any of this?”
She shook her head, wiping her eyes.
“No?” he bit out, searching her face, stepping closer. The words were there—all he had to do was say them. But she’d made it clear she wouldn’t believe him. How could he love her after a couple of weeks? How could he know he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her? All he knew was he did. Even if she didn’t feel the same way. “How’s that fair?”
“None of this is fair, Ash.” Her gaze fell to his lips. “None of it. But you know I’m right.”