Page 88 of Finding Peace
Would they be… happy?
Yes.
The answer is immediate and undeniable.
I know it with every fiber of my being. They would be over the moon.
But fear has a nasty habit of creeping in anyway.
My stomach tightens again—this time not from nausea.
I’ll go to the store tomorrow. I’ll take a test. I’ll be sure before I say anything.
“Don’t panic. Don’t make assumptions. Not until you know the facts,”I tell myself.
I inhale deeply. Exhale slowly. Smooth my dress. Wipe off the smeared lipstick. “You’re fine,” I whisper to my reflection. “Everything will be fine. It’ll beokay.”
Squaring my shoulders, I push open the bathroom door and collide straight into a solid chest.
“Oh—I’m so sorry,” I say automatically, assuming one of the guys came to check on me. But when I look up, it isn’t any of them.
The man standing before me is tall and broad, easily matching the stature of the men I’m here with. His suit is immaculate—dark charcoal, tailored to perfection. Silver threads through his neatly styled hair, and his jaw is chiselled in a way that speaks of careful grooming and money.
He’s attractive.
Striking even.
The kind of man who probably charms entire rooms without much effort.
But his eyes… they’re wrong.
Too still. Too knowing.
They drag slowly over my face like he’s cataloging it to memory. “Better watch out,” he says, voice smooth as polished stone. “Would hate for a pretty girl like you to get hurt.”
Every muscle in my body tightens. I offer the same polite smile I’ve used all night. The one I perfected in New York. “Excuse me.”
I move to step around him, but he shifts into my path. “Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?” he asks.
My pulse begins to race. “I should get back,” I reply evenly. “My date is probably wondering where I am.”
A slow smile curves his mouth. “Ah. Wouldn’t want to keep those Willow Creek boys of yours waiting.”
I feel the blood drain from my face.
He knows.
Not just who they are.
But where they’re from.
Where I belong.
Where Ilive.
My spine straightens instinctively.
“I’m sorry,” I say carefully, lifting my chin. “I didn’t catch your name.”
