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I take a bite of mashed potatoes, and they taste so damn good I can’t ignore my food regardless of not feeling like eating.
“Do you think he’s with me just because I’m pregnant, and he’s the perfect gentleman, so he’s forcing himself to do the right thing?” I know it’s crazy to even think that considering how close we’ve grown these past few months, but I can’t help thinking that maybe it’s been too good to be true.
Benita gives me a look that tells me I’m crazy. “Hell no. Before you came here, you’re all he talked about. He stopped dating. He stopped going out. He worked, slept, and refused to move on. It was River this, and River that. Key West this, and Key West that. It was sickening how obsessed he was with you and really annoying because it was all the time. He’s not the man Carly knows. Alex has changed for the better, and it’s all because of you. I know my cousin, and I know what love looks like. Trust me when I say there’s a happy ending to all this that starts with a beautiful couple who is starting a beautiful family together.” Benita grabs my hand and squeezes. I give her a small smile in return.
“Thank you. I really hope you’re right.” I let out a breath.
We continue with the small talk as we finish eating, but the mood is sour, and we both can feel it. Benita tries to make me laugh and smile, and she wins sometimes, but it doesn’t stop the insecurities from bubbling inside me. Mrs. Betty knows something happened, too, and after we pay, she hands me a to-go box with a big slice of her famous chocolate cake because cake makes everything better. She gives me a big hug, rubs my belly, then sends me on my way.
On the drive home, I stare out the window, and Carly’s words play on repeat in my head.
“Don’t let it get to you,” Benita says as she parks in front of my house. “If you do, she wins. She’s a drama queen and attention whore who’s just trying to get a rise out of you. Why do you think they call her Crazy Carly?”
I snort at that.
“Promise me you’ll stop thinking about it,” she pleads.
I give her a smile, not willing to make a promise I can’t keep. “I’ll try,” I tell her because that’s the best I can do in my current state. We exchange a hug goodbye, and I go inside and try to busy myself until Alex comes home.
ALEX
As soon as I walk in, I can tell there’s something wrong. The look in River’s eyes is unsettled, and I don’t like it one bit. I’m exhausted from herding cattle all day, but nothing can stop me from figuring out what’s going on.
“Hey, Darlin’. Everything okay?”
She swallows hard as she sits on the couch and looks up at me. I stalk toward her and wrap my arm around her shoulders, but she doesn’t lean into my touch the way she usually does.
“What is it?” I ask, concerned.
“Well, I met Carly today,” she finally says.
That’s all I need to know to understand the issue.
“Crazy Carly?” I ask.
“Apparently.”
“You know we call her that for a reason, right? Because she’s a psychopath. Ask Dylan if you don’t believe me.”
“Well, she told me things about you that have made me feel uneasy all day. Things that are true. About your past. How you couldn’t settle down with anyone, basically. Everything she said played on all my insecurities, and it makes me afraid that you’re not capable of settling down long-term. That you’re going to get bored of the baby and me and want out because when all of this isn’t new anymore, you’ll realize it was a big mistake. It’s nothing you’ve done, Alex, but I’m terrified you’ll go back to your old ways.”
I hold her cheeks in my hands and force her to look into my eyes. “No fucking way. Never. You’ll be by my side as long as there’s breath in my lungs and a beat in my heart. Do you even understand what you mean to me, River? What our unborn child means to me? I may’ve been like that in the past; I won’t deny it. I have no reason to. I’ve been straightforward with you since day one and will continue to always be. I did some bad shit, I know, but I’m not that man anymore. Before Key West, I couldn’t see a future with anyone—mostly because no one made me feel the way you did—but now I don’t see a future without you in it. You and our baby are everything to me. If anything, you’re gonna have to get rid of me, River, because I’m not going anywhere unless you want me to. Simple as that. Darlin’, you’ve tamed me more than any woman ever could. You’re the stars of my night, the love of my life, and the only person who has ever been able to steal my heart. I’ll spend every day proving that to you. And you know what, sweetheart. It’s yours. You can keep it. Because I love you, River Lancaster. I love you so damn much.”
