Hayley starts to get up, but I stop her. “You stay. I won’t be good company. I’ll text you later. I promise.”
“You better.”
“You want me to take you to your car?” Woodrow offers, but I turn him down. I don’t want Killian to pick another fight with him.
“No. You guys should celebrate making it through finals.”
“You don’t have to go. I’ll beat his ass if I have to.”
“It’s cool.” I wave at them and hurry to follow our waitress before Killian can catch me sneaking out.
I double around the block and take the long way around hoping and praying that I don’t run into Killian on my way. I can’t deal with him right now, and I am terrified of how he’ll react if he finds out that I’m pregnant. After the reaction he had about my birth control he’ll think I did this on purpose to trap him. I didn’t, but he won’t see it that way.
He can never know.
I make it to my car and when I get to my hotel, I take Professor Larson’s card from my bag. I flip it over in my hands a few times. Killian thinks I’m going to Paris and so does everyone else. I unlock the screen on my cell phone. “Hi, Professor Larson, It’s Liri Hart.”
“Liri, I wasn’t expecting your call so soon. Please, call me Carrie.”
“Okay. Carrie. I’ve made up my mind. I want to come to Chicago with you.”
“Perfect. I’m so happy. We’ll finalize the details after the holidays but welcome to CC Larson Publishing House.”
I let out a breath and excitement flutters in my belly.
I’m doing this. I’m going to Chicago, and I’m having a baby. Killian’s baby.
I can do this.
I can find a way to survive without Killian Hendrix.
I have to for the two of us. I touch my hand to my stomach and smile.
At least I have something beautiful to hold on to. Proof that it was real. Proof that there was a time he loved me.
**
“Uncle Cooper.” I smile and rush over to hug him when he gets out of the truck.
“There’s my girl.” He wraps me up in a bear hug, and his beard tickles me. “You’ve gotten skinny. Gonna have to fatten you up over Christmas.” He laughs.
I don’t tell him that there’s no need to worry I’ll be fat enough in a few more months.
“Thank you for coming.”
“I’ll always come for you, kid. Though I guess you aren’t a kid anymore. Can’t believe my little flower has been living with some punk.”
I roll my eyes. “Stop it.”
“I brought coffee,” Mom announces getting out of her car.
“Perfect.” I go over and grab a cup. I feel better this morning now that I have a plan. Killian isn’t here, and I’m thankful. I take a few sips of the caffeinated goodness. I know I’m not supposed to have it, but I need something to get me through this day. I didn’t sleep at all last night. Every time I closed my eyes Killian was there living and breathing in my dreams.
“Go on up and unlock the door, and I’ll start bringing the boxes in,” Cooper tells me.
I check the mail before I go upstairs. I flip through the envelopes quickly and shove anything with my name on it in my purse. I stuff Killian’s mail back in the box.
When I get upstairs my anxiousness returns. His car isn’t here, I remind myself then stick my key in the lock and it won’t turn. What the heck? I pull the key out and make sure I stuck the right one in the lock. I flip it over in my palm twice. It’s the right key.