Friends to Lovers (Heart of Hope 6)

He scoffed. “Oh really? How long have you known about this?”

I looked down. “Since Thanksgiving.”

“And how many times have you tried to reach me? Because I have no calls. No texts. No emails. Nothing.”

“I handled it wrong. Okay. But now you know, what are we going to do about it? You’re in Chicago now. I know you need to be there with your mom.”

I shook his finger at me. “That’s no reason to cut me out.”

“I’m not.” I was so tired. Too tired to even stand. I sank down on the couch, which put my back to him, but I couldn’t face him anymore anyway.

He came around to stand in front of me. “I want to know your doctor’s appointments and I’ll come to them. When I get back to Chicago, I’ll see an attorney about setting up visitations when the child is old enough to travel. Until then, I’ll come visit here.” He looked around my apartment. “Are you planning to stay here?”

I felt offense even though I knew my tiny apartment wasn’t ideal for a child. “Babies are small. I don’t need more space.”

He stared at me for a moment and then with a look of distaste he said, “You can move into my house, if you want. It has space and a yard. It’s in the Historic district so it’s not far.”

I was quickly hitting my limit of dealing with him. I just wanted to curl up and sleep. “Don’t do me any favors, Cy.”

“I’m not. It’s for the baby.”

If he’d stabbed me in the heart, it wouldn’t have hurt as much as those words. “I need to rest.”

For a moment, he looked like he’d argue, but instead he nodded. “When is your next appointment?”

“January.”

“January?” he sounded surprised.

“I just went and I only need to go once a month unless there’s an issue,” I explained.

His brows furrowed. “There’s no issue though right? You feel okay?”

If I had the energy I might have laughed at his sudden concern. Although I knew it wasn’t for me. “Everything is fine. I’m just tired.”

“Do you need money? I can help you hire help.”

Tears welled in my eyes but I didn’t want him to see them. I stood up and went to my little kitchen for water.

“I’m not inept, Cy. I’ve already hired help.” I wondered what he’d say if I told him I’d initially made the decision to hire someone so I could be with him. That was a moot point now.

“And what about all that online dating nonsense.”

A tear dripped down. “Nonsense? You have some nerve, Cy, considering you’re not only seeing someone two weeks after you left me, you’re engaged.” Then because it didn’t really matter at this point, I added. “I deleted the account.”

“Good.”

I sniffed. “I’m going to bed now. I’m tired and I need rest.”

He stepped out of my way as I went to my bedroom. “I have to go back to Chicago, but I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay.” I was too tired to change so I just climbed into my bed with my clothes on. Oh how I wished we were in a place where he’d lay next to me. Hold me.

“If something happens, call me,” he said.

“Okay.”

“I mean it Petal. I won’t be kept in the dark anymore.”