I shake my head and move away from her.
“For the sake of this baby, I think we both know that we should put our energy into something better than forcing something to work between us.”
“We both don’t know that. I don’t agree with you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“So what? That’s it. Just two strangers who are going to raise a kid together.”
I nod and head for my room.
“That’s fine, Mark. Go upstairs. Go hide in your room. You might think we can’t fix this, but I do. I know we can because even after everything you just said to me, I trust us. I trust that we will find our way back.”
“Sydney, please don’t make this harder than it is.”
She starts to cry again, and my heart breaks even more. I leave the room before I can see actual tears.
I don’t want her to be sad, but this isn’t something we can fix. Not now and honestly, not ever.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Sydney
It’s been a longtwo weeks.
I’ve been giving Mark space since our horrid kitchen conversation. The timing that he’s suddenly become so busy away from the house is uncanny. Still, I’m here every night when he comes home. I’ve even cooked dinner a few times and tried to beat him to breakfast so I can cook that too. When we watch TV, I let him pick, which of course he says he doesn’t care.
Beyond that, I have no idea how to show him that I’m serious. To make him believe me so that we can move past this and be together.
Which is exactly why when Hero invited me to come see his new place, I jumped at the chance. I need to think, and I can’t do that when I’m around Mark. At least not clearly on how to fix this awkwardness between us. Or how I can get us back to where we were when everything was perfect.
I’d give anything to get back there.
I pull into the driveway of the address my brother gave me and park behind his truck. He’s already out the door, making his way toward me.
“Hey.” I smile.
“Is everything okay?”
“It’s good to see you too. I can’t wait to see your new house.”
He pins me with his overprotective brother look and shakes his head.
“I am happy to see you, but you seemed a little too eager to come over.”
“I need a break.”
“Is Mark still not speaking to you?”
“No, he is. It’s just not the Mark I’m used to.” I sigh with defeat. “I really hurt him, and I have no idea how to make it better.”
My phone starts to buzz in my purse.
It’s Mark.
“Hey,” I answer quickly.
“Hey, Sydney, sorry to bug you while you’re out.”
