The Baby Contract

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN

Bran

I put a sticky note on my printer and scanned my home office. Everything that I needed Mr. Joseph to arrange to pack up and ship to my new location had a yellow slip of paper stuck to it.

I didn’t know where I would live for the next few months, but figured I’d be able to find a place tomorrow so I could get out of Anne’s way. It looked like my plan to win her heart failed.

I had a moment to wonder what she’d say if I asked if she wanted to be involved in the child’s life. It would give me more time with her, time I could use to win her over. But she was clear that her friendship with Harper and finishing our deal was important to her.

“Ms. Francis is here, sir.”

It took me a minute to register what Mr. Joseph said. Once I did, panic set in. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing seemed wrong.”

I hurried past him to the foyer. Anne paced, looking worried.

“Anne. Is something wrong with the baby?” I hurried to her, wanting to touch her, but stopping short, shoving my hands in my pockets.

She flinched. “The baby? No. Everything is fine.”

“Good. I…ah…I’m packing some things up, but I won’t be ready to leave until tomorrow. If you’d like to stay here tonight though, you can. I’ll stay out of your way.”

She sucked in a breath like she was shoring up her courage. “What if I didn’t want you out of my way?”

My heart skipped a beat. Hope tried to take root, but I refused to let it. “What do you mean?”

“I know you’re only concerned about the baby but—”

“No, I’m not.”

Did she really think that? After all I’d been trying to do to show her how I felt, she hadn’t noticed any of it?

She looked up at me and I thought I saw hope in her eyes. My heart tugged at me, wanting me to take her in my arms.

Fuck. It was now or never.

“I love you, Anne.”

Her breath hitched and her eyes widened. I wished I knew what that meant.

“You never said.”

“I was afraid, and I knew Harper was more important—”

She shook her head and pressed her hands on my chest. “I love you, Bran.”

The world stopped for me. The words wrapped around me, cocooned me.

“Anne.” I pulled her to me, holding her tight.

“Why did you act like you were leaving me?” she murmured against my chest.

“I thought that’s what you wanted. When you left after Harper found us, I knew where I stood—”

“No.” She reached up and pressed her hands to my cheeks. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

“You said she was all you had, and it broke my heart, Anne, that you didn’t see that you had me.”