The XOXO New Adult Collection: 16 Full Length New Adult Stories (220 page)

I press my lips together in a slight grin and grasp my stomach protectively.

“You are,” he says on a moan. “Is it ...”

I nod.

“I don’t understand.”

“I didn’t know when I left. I was only a couple weeks at most,” I explain, trying to remember the script I’d worked out in my mind.

He raises a hand, rubbing his forehead firmly, before bringing it back through his hair. “When did you find out?”

“A few months ago.” I say it firmly; I must own my decision to keep it a secret.

“And you didn’t think I’d want to know?”

Don’t give him power over you
.
Don’t let him make you the bad guy
. “I made the choice to have this baby. And you made your choices.”

“Damn it, Anna! It was a mistake. How long are you going to make me pay for that?”

“Don’t raise your voice to me,” I say in a commanding tone that surprises even myself.

He shakes his head; I’ve thrown him off guard. “I’m sorry, you have to realize what this is like for me. I’ve just wanted a chance to talk to you, and now I find out I’m going to be father.”

I feel a panic rush over me. I can see him doing it. Putting his will on my life, on our lives, and I need to put a stop to it. “We can talk more later—about visitation or something.”

“What?” He’s shocked. “No, this changes everything. This kid needs both of us.”

“And you’re welcome to visitations,” I repeat, remaining strong.

“Marry me,” he blurts out, and I feel sick.

“No! I’m not going to marry you.”

“Doesn’t this baby deserve a family?”

“Yeah, I’m her family.”

“Her?”

“I don’t know what it is. I just don’t like saying it.”

“I bet it’s a boy,” he exclaims.

“Stop it, Jack. You don’t get to be a part of this.”

“A part of my kid’s life?”

“Your child isn’t born yet; this part is my life. I don’t want to share it with you. I can call you when she’s born.”

“Anna!” His eyes grow wide. “You can’t just make all these decisions.”

“I can, and I have,” I confirm, my heart racing.

His nostrils flare, and he grabs my arm and pulls me close. “Do you know who my family is? We could take your baby if we wanted. I don’t want to do that to you, though; can’t you see that?”

I pull away sharply and scream, “Don’t touch me.” The sudden attention from passers-by has Jack backing down. I turn to walk away, to be as far away from him as I can be in this moment.

“We’re not done, Anna. Not even close!” he shouts after me. I don’t turn my head. I walk straight for the train and to Kenzie’s parents’ place.

I
shove the clothes haphazardly into my bag, searching for my favorite pair of maternity jeans. Kenzie is rambling, but I’m not listening. All I can hear are Jack’s words repeating in my mind. ’Do you know who my family is? We could take your baby if we wanted.’ I check the washing machine and groan. The jeans are there. I shove them into the dryer, returning to Kezie’s room to pack the last of my belongings.

She grabs my wrists and jolts me to a harsh stop.

“You have to talk to me,” she demands.

I stop, take a deep breath, and hold her hands tightly in mine. I try to explain the situation again with a little more clarity. “Jack was the buyer on the condo.”

“Okay, and why does that mean you have to leave again?”

“He knows about the baby. He said he’s going to take her from me.” My voice cracks.

“Wait, he can’t just do that.”

“Kenz, he’s a lawyer, his family’s rich, and I barely have anything left. I can’t fight them.”

“You can’t just leave.” There is a pain in her eyes, and I know it’s the sting of abandonment.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

She shakes her head. “You’re right. We can’t let him do this. I’ll take you to the airport.”

“Are you serious?”

“I miss you, and I want you home, but I love you. If he took this baby, I know it would kill you.”

“I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“I know. Are you going to Greece?”

“Yeah—oh shit,” I say, collapsing onto the bed. My head fills with despair.

“What’s wrong?”

I feel my heart drop down to the floor in an instant. “I told him about Greece. He’ll find us.”

Kenzie doesn’t hesitate in her response, “Does he know about Holden?”

I look up at her.

“I—I can’t ...”

“Does he know about him?” she asks again.

I shake my head.

“You can’t do this alone. You need someone. Holden’s your only choice.”

“He has to hate me after what I did,” I argue.

“Are you kidding me? You’re writing a book about him. There is no way that guy could hate you.”

“Wait,
The Luckiest
isn’t about him,” I insist.

“Sure it’s not. Now let’s get your ticket booked,” Kenzie replies, pulling out her iPhone.

***

I
have two weeks left to fly before airlines ground me. If Holden turns me away, I’ll be forced to travel home and have the baby in Chicago or in Florida with my parents. Jack will easily be able to find me in either place. The entire flight I’ve found myself asking
what next?
Even if Holden is willing to take me in until the baby is born, I can’t stay in England forever. I’m not a citizen. I’ll have to go home, and when I do, Jack will be waiting, even more furious than now.

I begin to recognize the countryside. A familiar tree where I had taken refuge in a storm, a field where Holden and I enjoyed a festival. “It’s right up here on the left,” I alert the cab driver who doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

He brakes and takes a sharp turn onto the gravel road. Fall is shifting into winter, and I notice how much has changed. Until we pull up in front of The Three Horseshoes. Except for the window boxes, it looks exactly the same. The flowers that had once overflowed from them are now withered and faded away.

I hand the money to the driver who leaps from his seat to retrieve my bags. When I reach for the door handle I see him. Holden is standing there, looking at me. He doesn’t move. I don’t move. We’re trapped in this moment.

Once I open this door, everything is going to change. He’s going to know my secret. And there is a good chance he will turn his back on me and walk away. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. My ears pop as I swallow, and I exit the vehicle, my tummy poking out between the flaps of my coat. I stand and stare at him.

The cab driver carries my bags and sets them next to Holden, but neither of us moves. Still just standing and staring. The nice gentleman says his farewells, and I take a slight step forward as the car pulls away. We’re alone.

I lift my shoulders and, in a trembling voice, say, “I got a little lost.” I wince as a sharp breeze cuts through me. This causes Holden to move at last. He approaches and without a word, places an arm around me, ushering me into the inn, leaving my bags in the parking lot.

Abner sees me, his mouth falls open, and I think it might be the first time the man has been left speechless. “Can you get her bags?” Holden instructs.

He doesn’t pause; he moves me straight into the kitchen where Bea is busy kneading a lump of dough. “We need the kitchen, Bea.” His voice is direct. She looks at me before exiting. I’m so ashamed, I want to curl up and hide from her prying eyes. Her justified glare of contempt. I’d done to Holden exactly what I promised her I wouldn’t.

We’re alone. I want to say so many things, to beg for his forgiveness, but I remain silent.

“What are you doing here, Belle?” he asks at last.

My nickname. I want to collapse into his strong arms and weep. To be vulnerable with him.

“You said I could use a room to write if I wanted.”

“You know what I mean,” he presses. It’s clear he isn’t going to let me off that easily. “You left me a note for Christ’s sake.”

“I couldn’t tell you—not to your face.” Any explanation seems to fall short in the moment.

“Do you think I’m a monster? That I’d somehow hate you for ...” He hangs his head. “I don’t even know what to say to you.”

“I can leave if you want,” I offer, then hold my breath as I wait for his response.

“I didn’t want you to leave in the first place.” His voice cracks, but he still doesn’t look at me.

“What was I supposed to do?”

He lifts his eyes to mine now. “Talk to me,” he says, frustrated.

“I’d only known you for six weeks, Holden. I didn’t know what to do. I still don’t.”

“Then why come back?” His question is so pointed it cuts.

“I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

He begins to pace, his hands behind his back. “Where have you been?”

“I went to Greece, and I rented a room. I started writing and then—”

He stops, moves in closer. “You’re writing?”

I nod. “I’m almost done with one book and started working on a second. It’s slow ... I’m writing on paper, but I’m writing.”

I can see he wants to say something, then decides not to. “What about the father?”

“That’s why I’m here. I went home and, when he found out, he threatened to take the baby from me. This is the only place he can’t find me.” I can only be honest and place myself at his mercy.

“So you’re using me to hide?” There is no anger in his voice; he is more hurt than anything.

“Yes.” I’m almost whispering now.

He reaches out, and his hand touches the flesh of my arm for a brief second before he drops it back to his side. “The room is yours as long as you need.”

“Wait, that’s not all. Do you know anyone who is hiring?” He stares at me, but doesn’t answer. Nervously, I begin to ramble. “I’ve gone through most of my cash, and I didn’t clear as much on the condo as I thought I would, and I need to—”

“You can work here.”

“What? No, that’s not what I meant. I—”

“I always hire seasonal help in the winter. It’s a high tourist time for us. You can help Bea with whatever she needs. She can go over how it all works.” He turns to walk away. I want to throw my arms around him. He could have sent me away—made me grovel.

“Holden,” I yelp before he is gone. He whirls around to face me. I take a deep breath and say, “Thank you.”

He nods and leaves me standing there, alone.

***

T
ucking the blanket under the corner of the mattress, I stand to marvel at my handiwork. With Holden in one room and me in the other, this still leaves two rooms for guests. I can understand why Holden needed an extra hand during this season. Since the night I arrived the extra rooms have been booked.

Bea has been an incredible teacher. I love to cook, but most other domestic chores don’t come natural to me. I hate doing laundry; so much in fact, I tend to re-wear clothes multiple times rather than deal with it. Dirty dishes left in the sink was a regular fight when Jack and I were together. And rather than clean our bathroom, I had the incredibly sweet woman who lived below us give it a tidy once a week for a small fee.

Yet here I am. In only a week I’ve become an expert. A true domestic goddess. Unfortunately it takes me ten times longer than Bea. She loves taking every opportunity to remind me of this. When I suggested I take on kitchen duties, she laughed and explained that guests expect to get their food fast and warm. I’m determined to win her over once again.