Indefinite (Salvation #6)(46)

I glance at the ring that sits on my finger, the one symbolizing a never-ending loop. In some ways, it is our relationship. We go around and around and never find the finish line.

“I’m a little stunned,” I say with honesty. “I wasn’t sure how you’d take it, but relief or joy definitely weren’t high on my list of possibilities.”

He brings his hand to my cheek. “Ashton, I’m a fuck up. We know this. I’ve given you every reason to distrust me, but I vow, right here, that I will be a better man. And if that man isn’t someone you can love, then know that I’ll be a good father to our baby.”

That is the one thing I never doubted. “How about you just be you? We have about eight months to get our shit together one way or another,” I offer.

“Are you happy at all, fragolina?” Quinn pushes a stray piece of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear.

His touch is so soft and reverent that my defenses drop. That simple movement is a tenderness I’ve yearned for.

“I’ve been afraid to be,” I admit to him. He’s been open, honest, and maybe he has changed but I’ve been too defiant to believe it. “It’s what I wanted, I mean . . . I was willing to do artificial insemination to get a baby. But, to know it’s us and you, there’s a relief there too. I was scared of what would happen if you had reacted badly to the news, though. I didn’t want to be upset, so I sort of tempered my emotions around it.”

Now, though, I let myself feel a bit more, and it’s overwhelming. My body is tingly and warm as I allow the fear to be replaced with optimism. He knows, and he’s taking it better than I ever could have hoped.

He watches me, his eyes studying subtle movements, and a slow smile creeps across his lips. “And now?”

Another tear forms. “Yeah, I’m happy.”

“Good, let’s go on our date, okay?”

“Where are we going?”

“McDonald’s.”

I burst out laughing, tears no longer filling my eyes. I’m pretty sure I just fell head over heels in love with him again.





23


Quinn





I wasn’t really taking her to McDonald’s. I only ate it before because she pretty much dared me, knowing I don’t back down. She was so sure I would find my way out of it, and I loved watching her smug smile disappear.

Now, though, I’m wondering if I shouldn’t cancel the Italian restaurant in the Theater District and take her for some fries. I will if it’s going to make her smile at me like that again.

We head out of the building, and she slides her arm into the crook of mine. I do everything I can to not make it seem like a big deal, but it is because she’s touching me without me having to push her.

“You know, the whole fast food thing was a joke, right?”

She smiles. “I figured, but I was a little excited.”

“Tonight is about you and us, and I want to spoil you a little, is that okay?”

“Yeah, that’s okay.”

The hope is that tonight will go so well that I can take her on a million more dates. I can finally prove that I have changed and stop telling her. Apparently, actions do speak louder than words, and I’ve been a little too slow on the uptake to actually do that when it comes to Ashton.

And then I remember . . . we’re having a baby.

Ashton and I are having a child. Not some random guy in a book, but us.

When I was determined not to allow that to happen, I didn’t think this would be the path we would take, but I’m happy it is.

“Quinn?” she says after we get down the subway stairs.

Jesus, I don’t even remember getting here. It’s as though I’m in a fog. One that’s filled with possibilities.

“Yeah?”

“Are you seriously okay?”

I laugh once. “I am. It’s not exactly what I planned as the start of our date, but it’s all good.”

She smiles. “No, I imagine not. What did you plan?”

Most of the plan will still happen, so I don’t want to give too much away. She’s surprised me, so now it’s my turn. “You’ll see.”

“Hmm.” Ashton’s eyes narrow. “So, you won’t tell me?”

“Nope.”

I have zero ideas if this is what she wants to do, and our friends were no help on this, but I dug deep to find romance, which isn’t hard in a city like this.

So, here goes my best plan.

We exit the subway and start to walk. “Are your feet okay?” I ask. She’s in heels, and I didn’t even think of getting a car service instead of walking.

She looks at me with wonder. “Umm, yes, why?”

“I can’t imagine those are comfortable.”

“No, but I wear heels a lot, so I’m used to them.”

“I don’t know how much walking you would want to do . . .”

“I’ll let you know if it gets to be too much. I mean, it’s not like we’re going to stroll through Central Park, right?”

I shake my head. “No, I thought about it, but I opted for something a little more glamorous.”

Her smile grows bigger, and I take her hand in mine, lacing our fingers. My thumb brushes against the ring I gave her. I wasn’t sure what to get when I walked in, but when I saw it, I knew. I plan to get her other things in the future.