Soon.
I will tell my family soon.
Sharon squeezes my arm once more before putting her hand back on the steering wheel. “Just promise me you’ll listen to your gut. I want you to be happy. Of course, you don’t need a man to make you happy, but if you decide you want to go down that route again, you deserve someone who enhances your own happiness.”
“I will keep that in mind, thank you.” Lowering my head, I try to hide my face as much as possible. I don’t think my poker face is on point at the moment, and she doesn’t need to know that.
We’re quiet for the rest of the drive, and back at the house, I practically run into my room. The guilt is like a constant shadow whenever I’m around Sharon or my dad, but I’m not ready yet for Ryan to know who my dad is. There’s no way my dad would be able to keep it from Ryan if I told him and Sharon about the baby. And I can’t expect Sharon to keep a secret from my dad, no matter how much I’d love to confide in her.
What a freaking mess.
I plop down on my bed and close my eyes, trying to forget my life—that has suddenly turned into a soap opera—for just a few minutes. A knock on the door wakes me up, and it takes me a moment to figure out what’s going on.
Dang it. Did I fall asleep?
The clock on the nightstand reassures my racing heart that I have fifteen minutes before I have to leave for Ryan.
Crap.
“Sweetie?” Sharon’s voice sounds through the door.
I make an unintelligible noise and slowly sit up, rubbing my tired face.
The door opens, and Sharon walks in. She takes one look at me and grimaces. “Did I wake you?”
Since I have a hard time keeping my eyes open, I just nod.
Sharon chuckles and sits on the bed next to me. “I’m sorry. Weren’t you leaving soon?”
“I am. In a few minutes.” The words are so mumbled, I’m not sure they make sense.
“Do you want me to drop you off?”
That snaps me out of my post-sleep haze faster than anything else could. “Oh no, thank you.”
Her eyes narrow while she studies me. Then she claps her hands on her thighs and gets up. “Well, let me know if you change your mind. Do you need help with anything?”
“I’m good, I promise. But thanks.”
“Always, sweetie.” She reaches the doorframe and turns around. “I forgot to mention earlier that I put the hoodie in the trunk, in case you’re looking for it. Didn’t want to chance your dad sniffing around other men’s clothes.”
She winks at me and then she’s gone, closing the door behind her. I continue to stare at the spot she just disappeared with my mouth hanging open. Did she really just say what I think she said? That dang hoodie. After I had my meltdown in the car, I took it off and threw it in the back so I wouldn’t get anything on it. And then I completely forgot about it.
No wonder Sharon has been so curious, asking me about a guy. She found the hoodie.
I inhale deeply and let it all out in a loud huff. Then I get up and go to the bathroom to get ready. Thank goodness I already picked my clothes this morning because there’s no time for anything after my unplanned nap.
Even if I don’t have the time or energy to get all dolled up, I’d like to at least look halfway decent tonight, seeing as it’s a date. Since I don’t know what exactly Ryan has planned, I’m keeping it simple with a pair of black jeans—the only pair that still feels comfortable—as well as a cute blouse and cardigan.
My hairbrush does wonders to my messy head, and a quick sweep of powder and mascara is enough to touch up my face. The lady at the spa wasn’t lying; the concealer has been covering up my bruise for the whole day.
I grab my purse and phone and pause when it vibrates in my hand with a message.
Ryan: I’ll leave the garage open so you can park inside. I’ll explain later.
Huh. What’s up with that?
Harper: Sounds good. Leaving in a minute.
Ryan: Drive safely.
The “Yes, Daddy,” is on the tip of my tongue again, or rather the tips of my fingers, but I refrain. Barely.
Harper: I will. See you soon.
Oh, Ryan, oh, Ryan, what do you have planned for us?