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  I stepped away, feeling flustered.

  He stared at me in irritation. “You aren’t even willing to try?”

  “Well, I could…I just don’t want you to expect anything. Ward, I’m having a baby. I’m concerned about that right now.”

  His eyes stopped burning in aggression. “So, you’ll try?”

  “No, I’m not saying that. I don’t want you to hold me to that. Can we just take it slow and see where it goes?”

  He stopped pacing and relaxed his shoulders. “Yes, we can do that. It’s better than nothing.”

  I was glad we came to an agreement about something, no matter how vague it was.

  He stared at my stomach again. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad.” He shook his head slightly. “I’ve wanted it for a really long time and I didn’t think it would ever happen.”

  “I can’t believe I’m going to be a mom.”

  “You’ll be a great mom,” he said as he looked into my eyes. “We’ll be great parents—together.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy. I thought…”

  “What?” he asked quietly.

  “That you would be disappointed…”

  “Never.”

  “I thought you had a serious girlfriend and I was going to ruin your relationship.” That wasn’t an attempt to pry into his personal life. I didn’t want to know anything.

  “I never had a serious relationship. Just one—”

  “I don’t want to know,” I said quickly.

  He didn’t bring it up again. He walked around the living room then looked at the French doors that led to the small backyard. “You love it?”

  “In love with it, actually.” I came to his side, and my shoulder touched his.

  “I think he’ll love it when he gets here.”

  “He?” I asked.

  “I think it’s a boy,” he said.

  “Why do you think that?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I just do.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “I don’t have a preference. I’ll love anything you make.” He turned to me with an affectionate look in his eyes. “Have you seen the rest of the house?”

  “Yeah, I did. It’s beautiful.”

  He nodded. “I’m glad you liked it. I had a designer decorate the house based on your taste.”

  “That was really thoughtful of you…”

  “You deserve to have your dream house, Clementine. And now I’m really glad I did it. My child will have everything he possibly needs.”

  “Thank you, Ward.” I never actually said it.

  “You’re very welcome.” He continued to look out side into the backyard. “You want to keep the tire swing in the front?”

  “Yeah, I love it. It’s one of the things I love.”

  He nodded. “Then we’ll keep it.”

  “I love everything about this house.”

  “And there’s extra bedrooms for new additions…” He didn’t look at me as he said it. “Well, it looks like we need to tell everyone the truth—that we’re having a baby together.”

  “Everyone will be really happy.”

  “You think?” he asked.

  “I’ll make sure it’s clear you didn’t know. I don’t want anyone to think you’re a coward.”

  “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “I appreciate that.”

  “Yeah.”

  “And I have one request. I really hope you give it to me.”

  “You know I’ll give you anything if it’s in my power.”

  He watched me intently. “I want you to call me for everything. When you’re feeling unwell, call me. When you want ice cream at three in the morning, call me. I want you to call me for everything. Please don’t call someone else. I want to be as involved as possible. Can you give that to me?”

  “Of course.”

  He relaxed again. “Thank you.”

  “I think we’re going to make a good team, Ward.”

  His hand moved to mine and he grabbed it. “I think so too.”

  Chapter Four

  Slade

  Trinity and I were okay, but things weren’t quite what they used to be. I was constantly monitoring myself, making sure I didn’t do or say something stupid. I avoided fights whenever possible, and every time I got upset over something she did or said, I asked myself if it was worth getting upset over.

  The twenty-four hours when we were broken up were brutal. When she took off her ring and took off, my heart fell into the chasm of my chest. Everything hurt, painfully. I wanted to die just to end the feeling.

  I never wanted to feel like that again.

  She’d been working late all week and I didn’t see her much. It irritated me that she was so busy she couldn’t have lunch with me. She didn’t even make dinner anymore because she didn’t have time. I attempted it a few times but ended up burning things. I usually just ate cereal for dinner.

  I was getting fed up with her distance. I missed her like crazy and wanted to have at least one night with her. But I wasn’t stupid enough to say that to her. What if it led to another fight? What if she assumed I didn’t value her job? I was happy for her and glad she was doing what she loved but wasn’t I important too?

  She came home around eight. Since she woke up early in the morning, she only had two hours before she went to bed. And since she had to shower, there was even less time for me. “Hey,” she said when she walked inside. She released a deep sigh when she set her things on the table like she was exhausted.

  “Hey.” I put my beer down then gave her a kiss. “Long day?”

  “Like you wouldn’t believe.” She pulled her hair over one shoulder, revealing her slender neck.

  I’d never seen it so thin before. Had it always looked like that?

  “I had so many shipments, and then someone sent out the wrong order…” She kept babbling about it. “Nothing will get done right unless I do it myself, which makes paying employees pointless.” She sighed again then closed her eyes for a moment.

  I was worried about her. She was overworked and stressed. “Baby, let’s take a bath.”

  “No, it’s okay,” she said immediately.

  “And I ordered a pizza. It’s in the fridge.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Did you eat dinner?” I asked.

  “Yeah…” She seemed off, like she was about to fall asleep standing up.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” I kept my arm around her just in case she might fall.

  “Just tired,” she whispered.

  I kissed her hairline then ran my fingers through her hair. “You need to take a break. You’ve been working nonstop.”

  “I’m okay,” she said dismissively. She pulled away from my embrace and headed toward the bedroom.

  I followed her, knowing I needed to say something. “Look, I’m really worried about this. You’ve been working all the time, and when you come home it’s like you aren’t even here.”

  She kept her back to me as she started to change. But her movements were slow.

  “I’m happy that you’re doing what you love but you’re killing yourself over it. I know I’m taking the backburner to your company right now because you’re building it from the ground up, but you can’t completely ignore me. I feel neglected. I think you should at least have one day off.”

  Trinity suddenly stood still with her jeans around her ankles. Then she fell sideways and collapsed on the floor.

  Holy fucking shit.

  “TRINITY!” I ran to her side then checked her face. Her eyes were closed and she was still breathing. I checked her pulse but it was faint. Her skin was ice-cold. I had no idea what happened, but I never heard of someone collapsing due to exhaustion. I wondered if I should call an ambulance but I knew I would get there faster if I carried her and ran. I scooped her up into my arms and took off at a dead run. I didn’t even lock the door behind me.

  ***

  I ran to the front desk still holding Trini
ty. I was out of breath from running for five blocks. “Doctor…now…fiancé…passed…out.”

  The nurse took one look at Trinity then took me into the ER. They got her on a bed and immediately undressed her as the doctor came in and shined a light in her eyes. He ordered a x-rays and blood work, and soon she was hooked up to an IV.

  Fuck, I was terrified. “Is she going to be okay?” My hands shook while I looked at the doctor.

  “I can’t tell right now. When we get some results back, we’ll know. But as for now, she’s not critical. That’s a good sign.”

  I tried to take comfort in that but I couldn’t. Dreading the phone call, I called her Dad. I promised him I would take care of her, and last week she dumped me and this week she was in the hospital.

  What kind of man was I?

  I couldn’t even take care of my girl.

  Her dad answered immediately. “Was is it, son?”

  I just blurted it out. “Trinity is in the hospital. I don’t know what’s with wrong her. They’re running x-rays and blood work.”

  Mike turned serious. “Is she going to be okay?”

  “I don’t know,” I said honestly.

  “I’ll be there in two minutes.” He hung up.

  ***

  Mike barged into the room and was disappointed Trinity wasn’t there. “Where is she?”

  “Getting an x-ray and blood work,” I said quickly.

  Cassandra was too distraught to speak.

  Mike didn’t sit down. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know,” I said in a panicked voice. “She came home from work and she was tired…then she went into her room to change and she just collapsed. I don’t know what happened.”

  “Just collapsed?” Mike asked.

  “Maybe she’s overworked?” I didn’t care what the reason was. I just wanted her to be okay.

  “No, something like that wouldn’t affect Trinity,” he said. “It’s something else.”

  “Well, I can’t figure it out.” I covered my face in shame.

  Cassandra sat down but Mike continued to stand, pacing slightly. We didn’t speak for the next hour. We all thought about Trinity silently, hoping she would be okay.

  The nurse returned her bed to the room, and Trinity was awake. Her eyes were lidded like she was still tired. If she were standing up, she would fall over.

  “Trinity.” I rushed to her side and gripped her hand. “Baby, are you okay?”

  “I think so…” Her eyes closed.

  “Sweetheart, Daddy is here.” Mike moved to her other side and stroked her hair.

  Cassandra held her other hand.

  I pressed my face closer to her. “I love you, baby. I’m here. Don’t be scared.”

  “I know,” she whispered.

  The doctor entered the room with a clipboard in hand. “I have the results.”

  “What is it?” Mike and I both blurted at once.

  “Malnutrition,” he said. “Severe malnutrition and dehydration. She’s been starving herself to the point that her body is breaking down its own muscle in order to function.”

  I turned to Trinity with fire in my eyes.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Mike asked.

  “She’ll be fine. We’ve been running fluid so she’ll get her vitamins and nutrients. The nurse is bringing her dinner from the cafeteria. She needs to eat all of it. We’ll keep her overnight but she can go home in the morning.” He tucked the clipboard under his arm. “Any questions?”

  “No,” Mike said. “Thank you.”

  The doctor walked out.

  Mike turned his threatening gaze on Trinity. “This is unacceptable.”

  She turned my way, probably expecting me to be more comforting.

  I wasn’t. “I told you not to diet and you fucking did it anyway.”

  “Dieting?” Mike asked incredulously. “What the hell do you need to diet for? You wear a double zero in jeans.”

  “I can’t believe you went behind my back,” I said. “You told me you wouldn’t diet. You fucking lied to me.”

  “How dare you risk your life over something so superficial,” Mike demanded. “It’s completely unacceptable.”

  Trinity didn’t look at either one of us.

  “I’m so fucking pissed at you,” I snapped.

  “And I’m disappointed,” Mike said.

  “Enough,” Cassandra said. “Back off and give her some room. I doubt she enjoyed passing out and having needles stuck in her arm. She learned her lesson.” She turned to Trinity. “Didn’t you, honey?”

  Trinity nodded. “I’m hungry.”

  “I would assume so since you haven’t eaten in three weeks,” Mike growled.

  Trinity’s eyes started to water.

  All my anger disappeared at the sight. I couldn’t be mad at her when she cried. It just wasn’t possible. I pressed my face closer to hers then kissed her tears away. “I’m sorry. I was just upset. I’m really glad you’re okay.” My lips found hers and I gave her a quick embrace. “Just don’t do it again, okay?”

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  I kissed her forehead. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Cassandra nudged Mike in the side.

  He sighed then took a seat at the edge of her bed. “I’m sorry I yelled.”

  “It’s okay.” She sniffed.

  His eyes softened. “You know how much I love you. I just got carried away.”

  “I’m sorry I scared you,” she said. “I just wanted to look perfect on my wedding day.”

  “When will you understand that I already think you’re perfect?” I asked. “If anything, I want you to gain weight. I don’t like bony chicks and never have. I like having something to grab onto.” I knew my words were inappropriate because of her father but I didn’t care.

  “I’m sorry,” she repeated.

  “It’s okay.” Mike patted her hand. “But you better not do anything like this again.”

  “I won’t,” she said.

  He kissed her forehead. “Because Slade is right. You don’t need to get any thinner.”

  “When have I ever done anything to make you feel like you weren’t skinny enough?” I asked. “Ever?”

  “You haven’t…”

  “Damn right I haven’t,” I said. “All I’ve done is said how hot you are. If I wasn’t insanely attracted to you would I—” Her dad was sitting there so I had to monitor myself. “Would I tell you how beautiful you are every morning? Trinity, I think you’re the hottest chick on the planet. And that will never change.”

  “Yeah?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  The nurse came into the room with a plate full of food. She set it on Trinity’s stomach. “The food isn’t too great but it’ll do.”

  “Thank you,” Trinity said politely.

  “You better eat all of that,” I warned. “Then we’re getting a milkshake from Mega Shake.”

  She picked at her potatoes and took a few bites.

  I gave her the death threat.

  She scooped the rest of the food into her mouth.

  “That’s right.”

  ***

  I carried Trinity into the apartment and put her in bed.

  “I can walk,” she said.

  “Well, you aren’t going to.” I stripped her clothes off and noticed how thin she’d become. Lately, we’d been having sex at night when we went to bed so I didn’t see her naked body in the dark. If I had, I probably wouldn’t have noticed her weight loss. “And you’re not working tomorrow.”

  That caused a fire inside her to erupt. “Yes, I am.”

  “No, you aren’t,” I argued. “You’re staying home and in bed. You’re going to rest and eat like a damn pig. I’ll be home to make sure you comply.”

  “Slade, I have too much stuff to do.”

  “The company will survive if you take a day off.” I wasn’t going to budge.

  “Don’t tell me what to do.”

  �
��As your fiancé, I’ll do whatever the hell I want.”

  She looked like she would slap me if she had the energy to do it. “No, you won’t.”

  “Try me.” I got in her face and silently threatened her. “Or are you going to leave me again?” I shouldn’t have said that last part but I was furious. First, she starved herself to death and then she refused to rest.

  “How dare you throw that in my face.”

  “Well, I feel like I can’t be myself anymore. I’m constantly worried you’re going to snap and take off.”

  “Not be yourself?” she asked. “In what way?”

  “I can’t tell you what I feel or when I’m upset. I’m afraid I’ll say the wrong thing.”

  She sighed then crossed her arms over her chest. “Slade, you don’t have to worry about that.”

  “Or do I?”

  “You don’t,” she said firmly. “I promise. I want you to tell me what you’re thinking even if I disagree with it.”

  Could I trust her?

  “I mean it.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.” She grabbed my hand and stroked my knuckles. “I never want you not to be yourself.”

  “Well, I’m really pissed off that you’ve been working so much. I understand your company is important to you but I should be equally important. You need to come home at a reasonable hour and spend time with me. That’s how couples drift apart.”

  “But I’m building this company from the ground up.”

  “I understand that,” I said calmly. “And you can work late a few nights a week, but not every night. I’ve seen you maybe five hours all week, Trinity. Our relationship takes time and commitment. You need to find the right balance.”

  She sighed in defeat.

  “Look at your dad. Did he ever come home late when you were growing up?”

  “Once in a while…”

  “Exactly,” I said. “Once in a while. He’ll be the first one to tell you that family is the most important thing. I’m your family, Trinity. Don’t forget about me.”

  “I would never forget,” she said quietly.

  “I’m just asking you to be reasonable,” I said. “Work late on Monday and Tuesday and then work normal hours for the rest of the week. But actually take the weekend off.”