After All by Kristen Proby Page 0,68
was a success.”
Her head whips up. “Why ever not?”
“Because Darcy died the day of that appointment, and I missed it. It just slipped my mind, with everything happening.”
“Of course,” she whispers. “Well, I guess it makes sense then.”
“Yeah.” I brush my hand down her hair. “How do you feel?”
“Tired.”
“Is that from me being a jerk, or the baby?”
“Maybe both,” she admits with a smile.
“Mary came to my office,” I say and watch as the smile slides from her face. “She said you quit.”
“Yeah. I might have also cornered her in the elevator and told her to fuck off.”
“You’ve had a busy day of telling people to fuck off, darling.”
“If my memory serves, I told you to go fuck yourself.”
I kiss her forehead. “So you did. Charming.”
“You deserved it.”
“And more.”
“What did Mary say?”
“Just that you’d quit, and she found me a temp. I told her to let me take care of things regarding you, and she could go ahead and leave. I fired her.”
She looks up in surprise again. “You fired her?”
“She’s made enough waves in the office. We don’t need a troublemaker at Cavanaugh Cavanaugh and Shaw.”
“I don’t like her,” Nora admits.
“Well, she’s gone. Now, I’m so glad we’ve started to mend things here, because we’re about to be very busy.”
“What are you talking about?”
I take the ring out of my pocket and place it on her ring finger.
“We have a wedding to plan.”
“Like hell we do.”
Chapter Nineteen
~Nora~
I yank the ring off my finger, shove it into Carter’s chest, and pull away from him.
“What are you doing?” He’s scowling at me, confusion written all over his face. “Of course we’re getting married.”
“Of course we’re getting married.” I look up to the ceiling, begging for strength from any god that’s listening. Actually, no. It’s patience I need. Because if God gives me strength, I’ll strangle him.
“I don’t know if you’ve heard,” I begin as I pace my living room. “But it’s 2020. Not 1972. I am perfectly capable of being a single parent. There’s no law that states we have to get married. I’m not an attorney, and even I know that.”
He’s blinking fast. The ring is still gripped in his fingers.
“Do you think I’m proposing because you’re pregnant?”
“Aren’t you?” I challenge and prop my hands on my hips.
“Well, it’s part of it, but no. Of course not.”
“Why are you then?” I lift my chin and promise myself I won’t cry. I will not cry. “I won’t get married out of obligation or convenience ever again, Carter. I’ve been there, done that, and it won’t happen again. Not for me.”
“Jesus, Nora, that’s not what this is.”
I just stare at him, until he shoves the ring back in his pocket and stomps away, rubbing his hand over his mouth in agitation.
“Why are women so damn frustrating, that’s what I want to know,” he mutters. “I don’t know what it is you want me to say. What do you want from me?”
“I want you to love me, you moron!” My hands fist. I might clock him one after all. “You’ve never said you love me. And that’s the only reason to get married.”
He’s staring at me like I just blew an apple out of my nose.
“What are you even talking about? Of course I’ve told you I love you.”
“Uh, no. Pretty sure I would have remembered that.”
“What do you think I’m saying every time I kiss your hand and place it on my heart?”
Now it’s my turn to stare. We’re doing a lot of staring.
“Well, since I’m not a freaking mind reader, I thought it was a sweet gesture.”
“I can’t believe this.”
“You’ve never said the words, Carter.”
“My God. The Florida condo, the time with my family—”
“Were all wonderful,” I confirm with a nod. “But are not words of love.”
“You’ve never said it, either,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You’re right. I haven’t. Because I was afraid to tell you how deeply I’d fallen in love with you, only to have you pat me on the head and say thank you. Do you have any idea how completely embarrassing that would be?”
“Never would have happened.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“We fucked this up,” he mutters, shaking his head in disgust. “And rather than argue over it, I’d like to fix it.”
“That would be ideal, yes. Because I’m carrying your baby, and despite wanting to toss you out that window to the concrete below, I love you to distraction.” I swallow hard, surprised that the words came bubbling out of me. “And despite my better