Chapter 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
I ate fruit all afternoon to keep myself awake at work the next day. Sleep had been hard to find the night before. The exhaustion did numb the constant whirlwind of my thoughts—in a few hours, I’d be telling Dominic.
While I typed out a final email for the week, Lori bustled by my desk and dropped a note on top. He’s gone , was all it said.
Like my spine was a rubber band that snapped, I slumped, elbows landing on my desk with a thunk. Why wasn’t I happy? I should have been as light as a bird. Instead, I wanted to curl up under a warm blanket.
“Have a nice weekend, Kelsey,” called Valerie.
“Thanks, you too.”
Straightening, I started shutting down my computer and clearing off my desk. I touched my bird figurine and took a deep breath. The office seemed back to normal, or close enough. Take your wins where you find them.
Head down, I trudged out of the office wearing my new parka and carrying my handbag. My mouth curled up a little—Dominic missed me. That won’t last long once you tell him. Could I squeeze a nap in before I called?
“Kelsey.”
My head whipped up. I stopped twenty feet away from him and stared. Legs crossed and hands in the pockets of his black bomber jacket, Dominic leaned against my car.
“You’re here,” I said stupidly.
One side of his mouth quirked up. “Couldn’t wait to see you.”
I blinked and clutched my bag to keep from dropping it on the ground, barely resisting putting my hand up to check my hair. I blew out a breath. “I guess we’ll talk now.”
He stood up. “Come here.”
My eyes went blurry, and I ran into his open arms. They closed tightly around me. I took in his pine and frankincense scent and resisted the almost overpowering urge to turn my face up and kiss him. Instead, I pressed my mouth against his shoulder.
“I’ve missed you so much.” I stood on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek, then backed away. “Let’s go to the park by the river to talk.”
One of his hands ran down my hair. “Fine.” He let go of me and walked to his car while I stood stunned, watching him.
Shakily, I drove the few blocks to the waterfront park. The last of the sunset was gone, but the parking lot was lit up with streetlights and glowing candy cane holiday decorations. It was time. I had to press hard on my chest and force in a deep breath.
Dominic was waiting for me when I stepped out of my car. He held his hand out, and I took it.
“You’re cold.” He took gloves out of his pocket. “Put these on.”
“It’s okay…”
Stepping close to me, he slid them onto my hands. “It’s not. We’ll shop for gloves tomorrow.”
Snorting, I pressed my forehead against his chest. I wanted to say I love you too, but stopped myself. Standing up, I cleared my throat and pointed. “There’s a bench down there.”
I chewed on my lip as we walked down the path. It was windy and cold. My mind was uselessly stuck on figuring out where else I could tell him with privacy.
We stopped. It was time. I closed my eyes as he took my shoulders and turned me to face him. My heart was racing, and my throat was too tight.
“Tell me.” Dominic cupped his hands over my cheeks. “Whatever it is, I’m ready.”
Swallowing, I forced my eyes open. His face was dark in the dim light, a V formed between his eyebrows. Just do it already.
“I’ve struggled with constant tiredness since we…stopped seeing each other. It seemed like part of my, um, sadness that we ended things.”
He grabbed my shoulders. “Are you sick?”
“No—no.” I rubbed his forearm as some of the tension went out of it. “I’m healthy.”
Frowning and glowering down at me, he said, “Then what?”
I took in a breath. “It looks like I’m…pregnant.”
“What?”
“It’s still early.”
He stomped off down the path.
I hunched forward and put my hands on my knees, a wave of dizziness trying to knock me over. I’d been right. We should have talked about it over a video call.
He came back, and strong arms closed around me. Dominic sat on the bench, pulling me onto his lap. “Are you sure? Have you seen a doctor?”
Of course, that was when the floodgate opened, the tears falling like they’d never stop. “Yes. A blood test confirmed it.” I covered my eyes, gasping and choking. “I didn’t miss a pill, I promise. There’s no way it’s Gerry’s. It’s still too early to count on it, but…I want this baby so much. I’m praying every day for her to grow.”
“Her?” His arms tightened around me. “How can you know the sex?”
I shrugged, pulling a tissue out of my pocket—I’d needed them a lot lately. “Just a feeling.”
He rested his head on mine. “I’d like a girl.”
My breath caught. “Really?”
“Yes.”
I leaned back so I could see his face. “Are you…in shock?”
He laughed. It was more of a silent rumble in his chest. “Probably. I wasn’t expecting it.”
“What did you think I was going to tell you?”
His hands were gentle as they pushed hair off my face. “That you sold the townhouse. I thought you might be thinking of moving.”
“I like it here.”
He nodded. “After you left, I’d never felt more alone in my life. I was angry, eventually, with myself.”
“I’m sorry.”
Huffing, he pulled the zipper of my jacket up. “Don’t be. You were right—both of us needed more. And I’m done pretending I don’t have feelings for you.”
I swallowed. Then I was kissing him, his lips hot and urgent against mine.
He pulled away. “Come to Portland with me. Please.”
I smiled, wiping my face with the crumbled napkin. “Yes.”