The Baby Contract

Impulsively I gave her a hug. “Thank you so much, Lane.”

“Of course.” She hugged me back. “Now think about what I said, okay? Whatever happens, I’ll be here to support you.”

It felt good to have a friend like Lane, even as the lies and guilt still threatened to consume me.

As I drove back and reflected on everything, I realized that the only way to protect myself was to return to how things had been before when I didn’t like Bran.

I’d defended him to Lane, but the truth was he could be annoyingly demanding and overprotective. He could get angry and while he wasn’t violent, he wasn’t one to hide it when he was pissed.

None of that had changed from when I disliked him.

I remembered all the times I’d been so angry with him at how he was trying to keep Harper in a gilded cage. I pushed away the thoughts that tried to explain away his actions and worked to hold on to my irritation.

I hate Bran Erickson. I hate Bran Erickson.

When I arrived home, I went straight up to my room. Walking through the door, I was hit by the scent of flowers. Stopping short, I scanned the room, taking in the colorful displays of blooms.

I hate Bran Erickson. I hate Bran Erickson.

Oh, who was I kidding? I love Bran Erickson.