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Only she was so involved with Justin, she wasn’t really going it alone, was she?
Panic gurgled up her throat.
Justin’s forehead scrunched, then his expression softened with compassion. “Sorry, I know you said—I just thought—”
He thought she’d changed her mind because she’d been hanging out with him and the boys. Did he not realize how she felt? How having a child would only set her up for pain? Why would she want children when everyone she loved left?
She’d been foolish to let Justin get so close, because sooner or later he’d do the same.
* * *
Justin’s blood cooled. He shouldn’t have pushed with that comment about Riley making a good mother. He’d known better. So, why had he?
She didn’t want children.
Listening to her make her claim h
ad brought back memories of Ashley. Which wasn’t completely fair. Ashley hadn’t been opposed to children of her own, just not fostered or adopted.
Riley didn’t want either.
Even after spending the past few months with him and the boys her feelings hadn’t changed. Would they ever?
He’d been so into Riley that he’d continued to pursue their relationship even after she’d told him she didn’t want children. He had no right to be upset now, at hearing her repeat what she’d said all along.
Only he was.
How could she spend time with him and Kyle and not want more? Not want to be a part of their forever?
“I’m sorry,” he backtracked, knowing his comment had triggered what he usually did his best to avoid: Riley’s walls. “I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that you’re wonderful with the boys...with Kyle.”
“I adore them, but that doesn’t mean I want children of my own,” she clarified, not meeting his eyes. “I told you from the beginning that I didn’t.”
“I know you did, but—”
She took a step back, causing him to realize that he’d sharpened his tone. Something he rarely did with anyone, and that he sure didn’t want to do with her or the boys. He took a deep breath, then raked his fingers through his hair.
“But you thought I’d change my mind?” she asked.
“I’ve heard you say more than once that you want to take the boys home and keep them,” he reminded her, fighting to keep the accusation out of his voice.
Riley didn’t respond, just stared at him, shock and uncertainty shining in the green depths of her eyes.
What was wrong with him? he asked himself. He knew better than to push. He never pushed. Because so long as he didn’t she wouldn’t build new walls between them.
Right now, new walls were going up.
“I... Maybe we should talk about this later?” she suggested, not quite meeting his eyes.
She was right. They were at the children’s museum with the Wilderness Group, and they had been having a good time. A great time. Now wasn’t the place to have this conversation.
His phone buzzed in his pocket and, grateful for the reprieve, he glanced at his smart watch to see who the message was from.
His lawyer.
It was a Saturday. If Mary was texting there must be news on Kyle’s mother.
Heart thundering, Justin swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Would today be the day his life changed forever? If it did, what was Riley going to think about that change?
