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She didn’t immediately respond to his accusation, but a hot burst of color flared across her cheekbones. “That’s unfair.”
“Is it? You still haven’t explained why you didn’t tell me as soon as you realized you were pregnant.”
“I was scared, okay?”
“Of what? Me?”
“Of everything changing.”
“What’s so horrible about that?”
“You just don’t understand.”
But he did. She’d rather remain in her sister’s shadow, where she thought it was safe, instead of taking a chance with him.
“When are you going to stop hiding behind Ivy?”
“Hiding? That’s not it. You know how she is. What she’s struggling with. Every time I’m not there for her something terrible happens.”
And there was the core of their problem.
“You can’t be your sister’s keeper forever.” Nate lowered his voice as he fought for calm. “She’s never going to take responsibility for herself if you and the rest of your family don’t stop enabling her.”
“I can’t have this conversation again.” Mia’s lower lip quivered. She caught it between her teeth and pushed away from the sink.
Nate was on her heels as she reentered the master bedroom and made a beeline for the door. He caught her arm and spun her around to face him. “Where are you going?”
“I need some time to think.”
“You’ve had months and months to think. What you need to do is make a decision about us.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t think I know that?”
He stroked his palms up her arms to her shoulders, but made no move to draw her close. “We are having a baby.” He emphasized each and every word, hoping to penetrate the wall of stubbornness she erected around herself. “I intend to be in my child’s life. And not in a long-distance sort of way.” He didn’t mean to sound so angry. He loved her. He wanted to be with her. To marry her and raise their child together. Instead he’d declared a challenge, bordering on a threat. “I’ve asked you to stay in Las Vegas with me. You haven’t said yes. So, what’s it going to be, Mia?”
“I want to.” Her eyes pleaded with him through the tears. “You want me to choose between you and Ivy. I can’t do that.”
“Are you going to choose between our baby and Ivy?”
He might as well have hit her. She reeled backward two steps and stared at him in dismay. “That’s not fair. Our baby comes first.”
Our baby. He liked the sound of that. But what about him? Was she going to choose him?
“Look, I’m sorry.” It was inadequate, but he made the apology sincere and heartfelt. “Let’s sit down and start again, only calmer this time.”
Her hands shook as she dragged them through her hair. “Okay.”
She let him guide her toward the bed. They settled onto the mattress with their backs against the headboard and said nothing for a long time.
“I’m sorry.” She set her head against his shoulder and reached for his hand.
“For what?”
“This is not at all how I wanted you to find out that you were going to be father.”
“It’s not how I expected it to happen, either.” He gave a soft chuckle. “Actually, I’m not sure I have any idea what I expected.”
“Are you really okay with this?”
