The Plan (Off-Limits Romance, #4)(70)

I think of opening the door. I want to pull it open. “Hi—I’m Gabe’s fiancé…”

But I can’t, of course. I couldn’t do that to his daughter. So I stand there at the peephole, while Gabe keeps his back to me and talks to her. While Geneva bounces around both of them, and Madeline talks with elaborate hand gestures. While she starts to sob.

Gabe glances back at the door. I can see his worried eyes, for half a second. Then his shoulders slump. He pats Madeline on the shoulder, and he takes Geneva’s hand. And then, without another glance at me, he disappears with them.



*

In my defense, it’s 12:30 a.m. when he takes off. I text him twice and wait until 7:30 to get moving.

Why would he fail to text me when he left, unless he meant to leave me?

I cry the entire time I pack my tiny overnight bag. I cry when I book my ticket home—with Delta. I cry as a hail a taxi. I cry at the airport. I want to call Kat so badly, but I can’t, because I’m also just not ready to tell her about this.

I look down at my gorgeous ring, and my heart sings with pain. I still don’t have a text. No phone call, either.

As I sit waiting for my flight, I press my hand over my lower belly. It’s too early for me to show, but I can feel her in there. Her or him. My baby bean. I feel all the more hurt knowing that he left our baby, too.

I cry some more. Were we not worth it? All my old ghosts rattle their chains. No one loves you. No one wants you. You’re not good enough. Too fat, too plain, not clever, serious, uptight, greedy, stupid.

Maybe I really am. Why can’t I get this right—love? Why did I get back involved with Gabe?

I really am stupid. I just…I do what I feel. I don’t use my brain, I follow my heart. I turn my ring around, so that the diamond’s pointed toward my palm, and fold my arms around myself.

After a few minutes, I check my phone again. I can’t believe he hasn’t even texted me. He must be getting back together with her. Maybe he somehow is Geneva’s father. Wouldn’t that beat all? Gabe has a family, doesn’t need one.

Early boarding starts. I take a look around—a desperate look, for him—and when I don’t see him, I ask if I can get on early. “I’m pregnant, and I’m not feeling great.”

“Of course,” the attendant says. “And congratulations!”

I smile my thanks and find my seat: A21. I prop my head in my hand, wiping discreetly at my eyes. And there I stay, in my pose of shame and disappointment, until a low voice interrupts my thoughts.

“Is this seat taken?”

I look up and do a double-take.

Gabe.

He looks tired and rumpled, but as he sits, he gives me a sad, tired smile.

“What are you doing here?” I ask through tears.

He reaches for me. There’s nowhere for me to move, so I just shut my eyes and keep my hands folded around myself. “I’m so fucking sorry, Marley. I can explain everything, and more…”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to hear it.” I’m too scared to hear it.

“Well, I want to tell it. And not here. C’mon with me, Marley. I’ve got our plane ready, if you want to go home. Don’t go yet, though… I want to show you all around. I want to introduce you to my agent and my publisher.”

“As what?” I whisper, wiping my damn stupid eyes.

“Marley…for a trusting, self-professed romantic, you’re not very trusting.” To my shock and horror, Gabe scoops me up and starts to carry me down the aisle.

I start to squeal until I see all the eyes on us. Then I just hang onto him and duck my head. As we step off the plane, I hear someone say, “Gabriel McKellan,” and “…that ring!”

I realize it must have gotten twisted, pointed outward. Oops.

When Gabe sets me on my feet in the jet bridge, I shove his arm. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

“Marley, you’re still crying.”

“Yes—I’m pregnant. Did you know that? Okay. Pregnant Marley.” I sigh. “So, what is it? Where the fuck were you?”

I can see the shock on his face, and somewhere distant, I feel sorry for cursing at him out in public. But the rest of me is furious.

“You disappeared with your ex-wife—ex-partner, whatever she is—and your daughter? And you just thought that would be fine,” I fume.

“Oh, fuck.” His eyes widen. “You knew that?”

“Yes, I knew that! I heard you guys. And then I watched you through the peephole. I wanted to come outside, of course, and ask what the hell was going on, but I didn’t want to scare Geneva or upset her.”

Gabe squeezes his eyes shut. “Jesus, Marley. I’m not sure you should get married to me. Maybe I don’t deserve the second chance.”

That makes me laugh. “My thinking, too…Gabe, not really. What the hell went on, and where were you?”

He takes my hand…kisses my hand. “It’s kind of long and winding.”

“Give me the short version so I don’t get sick again. This is too much stress for a pregnant lady.”

“Is it really? Do you feel sick?” He looks worried.

“If I tell you yes, will you swear never to disappear in the middle of the night again?”