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Hurt marred Declan’s face before he took a step back and closed the door.
Bree and Kate sat in silence for several minutes. A sob escaped Bree’s lips, and Kate tugged Bree against her chest and slipped an arm around her.
“It’s okay. Let it out, Bree. It’s okay.”
She hadn’t really let herself cry over this baby. She’d thought she was being careful, but fate had decided differently. The doctor had confirmed her pregnancy. But even then, she hadn’t cried. Even though she knew she would not bring this baby into a stable, loving marriage.
Something she’d always swore she would make sure of. She’d seen her mother on her worse days. When she was so heartbroken she couldn’t go out of bed. Or the times she’d been so angry with Bree and her sisters because she was angry at the world.
The day Kera bought Bree a pregnancy test and Gwenn blurted out she was going to be a mom, Bree had mentally checked out. Even the last few weeks Bree acted like nothing had really changed. But she couldn’t just stick her head in the sand like she usually did in these types of situations.
Bree needed to face this pregnancy head on. Make plans at work. Prepare herself mentally for becoming a parent. Fix her apartment so she could raise a child.
Oh God, she’d need to look out for another apartment. Her place was way too small and not in a child-friendly neighborhood.
Bree looked up from her lap, tears still wet on her cheeks. Kate’s eyes were also red rimmed. Kate kissed Bree’s forehead.
“Whatever you need, Bree. I’m here for you. Always.”
Bree choked back a sob and nodded against Kate’s chest. “I’m making your dress all wet and snotty.”
Kate shrugged. “I meant it when I said ‘whatever you need’. It seems like you need a tissue.”
They giggled. After another ten minutes of hiding out in the restroom, they reappeared in the pub.
The rest of Thanksgiving turned out fine. Bree passed up on the four different Shepard’s Pie. She couldn’t believe that her sisters had won this year’s edition. It was probably all because of Gwenn and Kera’s cooking.
Long after dinner, Bree attempted to clean some dishes in the kitchen. Declan passed her without acknowledging her.
He walked out into the enclosed back alley through the back door. No one had been in the kitchen or outside. This was her chance.
She walked out of the kitchen into the alley, straight over to Declan who sat on the bench with the back of his head against the brick wall. His eyes opened when the sound of her footsteps echoed between the walls of the alley.
“Hey,” he said.
Declan didn’t move to make room for her on the small bench. He was waiting her out. She’d seen how Declan acted when he was angry with someone. And boy, was hepissed…
“I’m late,” she blurted while standing in front of him.
His eyebrows shot up to the inky strands that fell over his forehead. He narrowed his eyes and said, “What do you mean, you’re late?”
“You damn well know what it means.”
Realization dawned on Declan. He stood from the bench and leaned in to stare into her eyes.
“Is it mine?”
Her hand shot out and smacked his cheek. Slapping his stupid face was not enough. Declan grunted but didn’t move.
“Can you blame me? We fucked twice, Bree. You just said you wanted nothing to do with me and you’re still talking to that douche.”
He widened his stance and folded his muscular arms in front of his chest. How could she not talk to Craig? He’s her colleague!
That asshole! What did he even think of her?
“Yes.Talking.Moron. Not fucking,” Bree sneered.
“Well, how am I supposed to know?” Declan said and Bree’s upper lip trembled. She wanted to cry so bad right now. But she wouldn’t let him get to her.
