“Hey, Soph.” He gave her a squeeze, and I felt my heart do the same.
He looked as amazing as ever—his suit tailored to those shoulders I knew so well. His fingers long as they draped over her shoulder protectively.
“Any news?” He met my eyes over the top of Sophia’s head. It was the first time I’d seen him in weeks.
I shook my head, grateful when Preston’s mom responded. “None yet, but I’m sure they’re doing just fine.”
Sophia peered up at Hunter. “Come.” She tugged on his hand. “You can sit with Lauren and me. We were about to watch a movie on her tablet.”
His eyes met mine, and it felt like they seared through me. I glanced away before I could get burned. I couldn’t… I couldn’t breathe when he was in the vicinity, let alone sit just a few feet away from him. It felt like I was drowning, like I was being swallowed up by my emotions.
I stood. “I’m going to, um…” I took a few steps backward, nearly tripping in the process. “I’ll be back.”
I spun and raced down the hall, walking as quickly as I could without actually running. When I reached the end of the corridor, I ducked around the corner. I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths. I couldn’t… My chest was so tight, I thought it might crack under the pressure.
I can’t—I heaved a breath.I can’t do this.
I should’ve known he’d be here, should’ve prepared myself for the possibility. But I didn’t think anything could’ve prepared me for seeing Hunter again.
I glanced down at my outfit—a floral dress that draped low in the front and hugged my curves. At least I looked good, even if I felt like shit.
Would this feeling ever go away? This sense that I wasn’t whole without him. That my heart was fractured and splintered into so many pieces it would never recover?
Knowing Preston’s mom would text me with any news—and needing to stall more than anything—I found my way to the cafeteria. I bought a snack for Sophia and myself before trudging back toward the waiting area. Maybe by the time I returned, Hunter would be gone. It was wishful thinking, but at the moment, it was all I had.
When I reentered the waiting area and there was no sign of him, I breathed a sigh of relief. But then I heard his voice—hard, unrelenting, irresistible. It called to me, luring me in like a siren. And I found myself drifting closer to the source.
I closed my eyes, letting his voice flow over and through me. And I was overwhelmed by memories. How gravelly he sounded first thing in the morning or when he was turned on. The bossy, playful voice he’d use when he wanted to have fun. The soothing, calming tone he used to let me know he cared.
More hollow pain echoed through my heart where something a lot like love and hope used to reside. Hunter had taken a sledgehammer to my trust, my heart. He’d spent months breaking down my walls, only to rock my world like an earthquake, leaving me even more damaged and broken than before.
“Lauren,” Sophia called, jolting me from my thoughts and effectively busting me.
My ears burned, and I hoped Hunter hadn’t realized I’d been eavesdropping. Well, I wasn’t listening to the content of his conversation, so much as his voice. I hadn’t allowed myself to admit how much I’d missed him until now. Until I’d seen him again.
A doctor emerged from the patient-restricted area, removing his mask from his face. “Hawthorne-Black Family?”
We all stepped forward, anxious to hear news of Alexis and the baby.
“Mom is out of surgery and doing well. The baby is healthy, and they are recovering.”
“Can I go back?” Sophia asked.
“Let me check,” he said, then disappeared behind the doors once more.
A nurse returned not long after to escort Sophia. I was dying for more news but grateful that the doctor seemed to act like everything was fine. While they were gone, I texted Wolfe an update. I wasn’t ready to leave yet, but I didn’t want him to feel like I was wasting his time. Still, he was the one who’d offered to come. If he wanted to leave, he could always schedule a ride.
Hunter was seated on the opposite side of the waiting room, and though I could feel him watching me, I resisted the urge to look up. I couldn’t do it. It was hard enough to sit here and act like I was fine, like nothing had happened. I couldn’t make small talk with him.
When Sophia returned, she wasn’t alone. She skipped ahead of Preston, and they were both smiling.
“Well, it’s a girl.” His grin nearly split his face.
“Yay!” we all cheered, excited for them.
“Six pounds, eight ounces. Twenty inches. Alexis is tired, but happy.”
I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
