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“I can’t wait.”
Analise saw the spa workers out once they’d gathered all their things before turning to me with a sigh. “I’m scheduled to work tonight,” she said, her tone full of regret. “I wish I could stay and spend more time with you, but duty calls.”
“You mean sleeping with the boss doesn’t get you any perks?”
“Right?” She shook her head and laughed. “And now I can’t even call in fake-sick.”
“Hey, I heard that.” I looked up to see Mason coming down the stairs with a grin on his face and Evan on his heels.
“I’m sorry, Mariah,” she said, frustration evident in her voice. “We’ve been a bit short at the bar lately, and it’s a weekend night. What can I say? Sometimes being the best at what you do has its downsides.”
“Hey, it's okay,” I said. “You've done more than enough already. We had an amazing day together. Go take care of business.”
She bit her lip. “When will I see you again?”
We were supposed to leave early the next morning. Working the weekend shifts at the club meant she’d be there until two or three a.m., and would promptly pass out once she got home.
“Soon,” I promised. “As soon as we can.”
“I love you, girl.” She pulled me in for another tight, lingering hug, then looked at Evan, who’d been watching from a distance. “And you, Mister Alpha, better make sure nothing happens to her. I’m trusting you with my best friend.”
Evan nodded, his expression completely earnest. “You can count on it, Analise. Thank you for doing this for her.”
“Take care of each other,” she said, her voice wobbling and eyes watery as she rushed out the door.
As soon as the door closed behind her, I allowed myself to cry, and not a moment sooner. This time with Analise had been exactly what I’d needed, and my heart ached that I didn’t know when I’d see her next. I glanced around at the remnants of our spa day, vowing that I’d make a point of visiting more often—and have her come down to Texas—once this was over.
But when would that be? We’d been living in this limbo for so long, it was hard to imagine life ever getting back to normal…or a new normal, at least, since nothing would ever be as it had before.
“I need to get some fresh air,” I murmured to the guys as I walked toward the balcony.
As much as I’d tried to remain cheerful and upbeat throughout the afternoon for Analise’s sake, I just couldn’t shake this heaviness. It was far colder here than back in Texas, and the cool breeze nipped at my skin when I stepped outside. Yet I wasn’t cold. Was that an effect of the dragon within? That could be convenient. The scent of fresh rain now filled my nostrils. Evan and the others lingered in the living room, giving me a few more moments alone.
I leaned against the railing, gazing at the skyline as the city came to life beneath the setting sun, lights coming on and setting it aglow.
Analise had mentioned a baby shower, and while that truly did sound amazing, a pang of guilt washed over me as I thought about my growing child nestled within me. Everything had been such a whirlwind, I’d not given much thought to the fact that in six months, I’d hold him or her in my arms. It almost seemed surreal at times. I knew I was pregnant, but I’d have so little time to truly bond with the new life I was creating. Between adjusting to becoming a dragon shifter, raising Sofia, tending to my studies, and figuring out what was coming next with Tomas, sometimes it felt like there weren't enough hours in the day.
My hand came to my belly. I really wanted to enjoy this pregnancy. Nothing had happened the way I expected, but that didn’t mean this wasn’t a miracle. It absolutely was something I never thought I’d have. I hadn’t allowed myself to properly appreciate it, and I wanted to change that, to savor this experience and find a way to look back on it fondly. I just wasn’t sure how to do that when I was so conflicted about my dragon, and so fearful of what Tomas had planned for me.
My mind drifted back to the things I’d said to Evan when we left the prison and got back to the cottage. All the resentment I’d harbored. This wasn’t how I’d expected things to go when I became a mother. I definitely never considered having to worry over my freedom while pregnant. But his words of assurance, his promise that the beauty of our future was coming… I had to hang on to that. Had to believe it could happen. Otherwise, what were we fighting for?
“Hey.” Evan's voice startled me, even though it was soft and gentle. He rested a hand on my shoulder, offering comfort. “You doing okay out here?”
I turned to him, forcing a small smile. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”
Sofia was knocked out and snoozing away in Evan’s arms, her head resting on his shoulder. My smile became more genuine at the sight. He was such a good father. Unbidden, a memory of when I’d first started working for him flashed through my mind, how he hadn’t a clue how to take care of a baby. This strong alpha had been terrified of a wailing three-month-old. Now, here she was, almost a year old, and the father Evan had become took my breath away. We’d soon get to do it all over again from the very beginning. Together.
“About what?” he asked.
“Everything.” I sighed, resting a hand on my stomach. “Back when this all started, when I first came to be your nanny, and Sofia was so tiny. I didn't expect any of this, Evan: falling in love, becoming your mate, raising Sofia, having my dream of a family finally come true. And we’re having a baby of our own.” I shook my head. “It's all so overwhelming sometimes.”
He wrapped his free arm around me, pulling me close to his side as he pressed a kiss to my head. “You're doing an amazing job. I don’t tell you enough, but your strength amazes me every single day.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, soaking up his warmth. “But I feel like I’m just winging it—like I don’t really know what I’m doing. It's hard not to feel like I'm failing our baby somehow. Like I should be doing more.”
“Mariah, listen to me.” Evan tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You are the most incredible, strong, and loving woman I know. You have faced every challenge with courage and grace, and I have no doubt you will be an amazing mother to our child. You already are.”
I opened my mouth to say that I hadn’t given birth to Sofia, that I might mess this up somehow, but he must’ve sensed what I’d say because he shook his head.
