The whole drive is a battle between my brain and my heart. One is telling me to call him, the other insists I should let him have his space. My heart wins, and with a shaking voice, I ask Siri to dial Hayden Frost. The phone rings. And rings. And rings. Then goes to voicemail.
It hurts more than I anticipated. Like a deep throbbing pain in my chest. Tears start pricking at the back of my eyes, but I have to keep myself together for just a few more minutes because I’ve arrived at my destination.
Breath stolen away from me, I park in the street, taking in the house in front of me. An American Dream. That is all that comes to mind. Or more like every little girl’s dream home. A white picket fence and a large grassy front yard with small shrubberies surround a two-story colonial-style house painted light blue. There’s a swing seat on the veranda and a tire swing hanging on a tree to my left. It’s like what I always imagined a family home would look like. All that’s missing is a sweaty glass of cold lemonade waiting on a small table next to the swing. Marge is a lucky lady to get to live here. Sighing, I march up the front steps and ring the doorbell, curious about what this place looks like on the inside. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
But after a few minutes of waiting, the door remains closed. I ring the doorbell again. Maybe whoever lives here with Marge is hard of hearing and didn’t hear the doorbell the first time around? I add a knock for good measure, but as my knuckles connect with the wood of the door, it swings ajar.
Not eerie at all. Thank God it’s the morning and not the dead of night, or I’d be sure I’m about to die.
“Hello?” I call out, pushing the door open and taking a step inside. “I’m here for the medication for Marge?” I shout to no one, looking around.
The place is empty. Completely empty. There’s no furniture, just polished dark wood floors and large windows letting in the morning sun. It should be creepy, but it’s mesmerizing. All this empty space makes me think of the possibilities. How if this was mine, I’d put a grand piano in the corner, just over there. And a large sectional right here, where everyone could sit down and relax. How this house calls to be filled with children and dogs and laughter, and music—
“Natasha.”
My eyes snap up to the top of the grand stairway, my breath taken away from me once more by none other than Hayden Frost. I want to say something, run to him, shout at him, laugh, cry… but I’m rooted to my spot, unable to open my mouth or take my eyes off his handsome face. Two days. I haven’t seen him for two days and my heart sings for him, my arms itching to be wrapped around his neck, my mouth begging to be connected with his.
He takes a tentative step forward, then another, descending the stairs until he’s feet away from me.
“Hayden,” I breathe. Is this real? Is he really here? Then snap out of it. “I’m sorry. Fitzy asked me to get some medicine. I—I—I must have gotten the wrong address. I’m sorry. I’ll be right out of your hair,” I say and turn around, running for the door trying to convince myself I’m doing the right thing…
His hand shoots out, wrapping around mine as he stops me halfway down the porch steps. A whimper escapes me at the contact. His warm skin on mine.
It takes everything in me not to fold into him.
“You’re where you’re supposed to be, Natasha,” he says, in his deep baritone, making me shiver.
I look back up at him, confused, but he just pulls me toward him. When I don’t move, he says, “Come.” Then pulls me again until I follow him. Back into the empty house and up the stairs. My eyes are trained on his back as he takes me down the corridor, past open doors to more empty rooms, until he stops next to a closed one. I stand next to him. Not sure what I should do next. Say something? Ask what’s going on.
“Open it,” he encourages, his hand leaving mine. When I don’t move, he steps right behind me, the heat emanating from his body, wrapping me up like a cozy blanket. “Go ahead, Sugar,” he whispers in my ear. I stiffen, my head tilting to the side, looking up at him, searching his eyes. Sugar? He just called me Sugar. Does that mean we’re okay? He smiles. “Just do it.”
Reluctantly, I pull my eyes away from him and focus back on the door. Taking in a deep breath, I push it open and gasp. I didn’t know what to expect, but I certainly did not expect what I’m seeing in front of my eyes right now. The room is large and spacious, with two large windows framed by soft gray walls. Painted small white clouds are strewn around the walls, and there’s a large pastel-colored rainbow on one of the walls, beneath which stands a large dresser with a changing mat right on top of it.
The tears that have been threatening me all this morning finally break through when I spot the large crib with a big, fluffy gray rabbit propped up inside it.
“What is this?” I ask, wiping away the wetness on my cheeks.
Hayden walks around me until we’re face to face, the light from behind the window framing his silhouette.
He clears his throat. “I bought this house a couple of weeks ago,” he says. “Right about the time, I realized that I want to spend the rest of my days learning what makes you laugh.” He takes my hands in his. “It’s sooner than I wanted you to see this. I wanted you to be sure that you wanted this too—”
“I’m sure!” I interrupt him. “Hayden, I’m so sure. I want this. I want you. I—” I bite my lip.
“You?” His face lights up, the light behind him dimming in comparison.
“I love you,” I say in a small voice.
“Sugar,” he lifts my chin with his fingers. “Never feel afraid to say those words to me,” he says softly. “I love you, too, but I guess that’s a bit obvious.”
I try to hide my smile. “You’re not mad?”
“Mad at what?”
“Me, for not telling you I was pregnant straight away.”
He shakes his head in confusion. “Jesus, did you—did you think I was mad?” He must see the answer in my expression because he pulls me into his arms, hugging me into his chest. “I’m such a damned idiot. I’m so sorry. I was so focused on making this room happen. So determined to show you that I’ll take care of you and the baby, I didn’t even think twice about how it looked. I’m so sorry I didn’t explain myself better or call you. I just… wanted to show you I’m all in.” He places a kiss on the top of my head. “Baby, I’m not mad. I’m crazy in love with you. And crazy happy that you’re carrying my baby. It’s a bit soon since I wanted to propose first, get our house ready, but who cares about timelines, anyway?”
My heart flutters at his words.