Page 119 of Burning Skies
I’m so stupid. This whole thing with Beau was a dream. A beautiful, perfect dream. But as we all know, you have to wake up at some point and deal with reality.
And sometimes the girl is pressured to kiss the frog and marry him because her family owes him a shitload of money, and there’s no prince to save her.
Jesus. Am I really that girl who needs saving?
I can save myself. I just don’t know how yet. Maybe I’ll go on a long trip with Cynthia and disappear for a while.
But the part that breaks my heart is my plan can’t include Beau Walker.
I wipe off the errant tear before I march toward the door.
“Honey, wait.” Beau moves in front of me, and I shake my head.
“Wait for what? For Mel to have your child?”
“Let’s talk outside.” Barefoot, he follows me out and closes the door behind us. Then he grabs my elbow. “What if it’s not mine? Mel and I weren’t monogamous.”
I swallow and try to breathe. “That woman in there isdevastated, Beau. Do you really think she’d be here if the baby was someone else’s? Because to me, she seemed like she was telling the truth.”
He presses his palms into his eyes. “This can’t be the end for us, Honey. I’m just asking for some time to figure this out. We’ll get a paternity test.”
“And if it’s yours?”
“If it’s mine,” he says slowly, “that doesn’t mean I’m going to date Mel or be with her. We’ll just have to co-parent.”
My eyes well with tears, and I shake my head. “You say that like it’s no big deal.”
“Does it have to be?”
Annoyed, I laugh coldly. “Please tell me you’re not that dense. My brother has had a hellish time trying to co-parent with his ex, and if I’m not mistaken, Rhett did too with his ex-wife.”
His nostrils flare. “What do you want me to do, Honey?”
“Admit that you’re going to be a father. That this baby is going to be your priority, and as a result, so will Melissa. Because I know you. You’re a good and decent man.” I wipe the tears that fall down my face. “You’re going to be an amazing dad.”
Just not to my children.
I shake my head. “I can’t do this. I watched my mom fall apart every time my father left to be with his mistress.”
“Who said anything about cheating?”
“I can’t be stuck in this position, Beau. It’s too familiar, and not in a good way. I’m not saying you’ll cheat, but Melissa wants you. That means every time you’re with her, I’m going to wonder if she’s making passes at you and flirting.”
He holds out his hands. “We haven’t even had the kid yet.”
“That’s another thing. Do you plan to be in the birth room when she has the baby?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe? Yes? I’d like to be in the room when my kid is born, if it’s mine.”
No. I can’t do this.
I turn to my SUV, and he grabs my elbow and turns me around. “Honey. Come on. Give me some time.”
That’s just it.
I don’t have time.
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