My father seems to think coming here was the right decision. My mother isn’t speaking to me.
Dad doesn’t know about the baby, though. No one does, apart from Cathy and the doctor.
My phone buzzes, and Jordan’s name flashes on the screen. I sigh. I thought I made it clear that I didn’t want anything except friendship with him, but he keeps asking me out. Maybe his intentions are pure? Maybe he wants to be my friend?
Somehow, I doubt that. He has wandering fingers and he always hugs me for a second too long. I always come away from hanging out with him feeling slightly unclean.
I jump when my door rattles on its hinges. Someone is banging on the other side.
Glancing at my phone, I frown.
Is that Jordan? Why would he be here? Is he angry?
Clutching my phone, I take a peek at his message. It just says, Hey. No hint of anger. No sign as to why he would be trying to break down my door.
Someone calls out my name from the other side of the door, and I freeze.
Is that…?
It couldn’t be.
It’s not.
But that voice…
My heart thumps. The banging continues. Whoever is on the other side of that door really, really wants me to open.
I tiptoe forward, and the banging stops. I pause, listening for a noise. Something like shuffling, and maybe heavy breathing.
Then, the voice again, as if he’s leaning his forehead against my door. “Cara,” he sighs, as if saying my name is the greatest effort. “Are you in there?”
The poor hinges on my front door are taking a beating today. They nearly rip off the wall when I tear the door open.
Theo stumbles forward, catching himself against the doorframe.
“Theo,” I breathe, eyes wide. “What are you doing here?”
“I got your letter.” He gulps.
“Oh.” My heart hammers against my ribcage. Sweat gathers under my armpits as I struggle to swallow. My brain runs circles around me, but still I can’t quite manage to say anything else.
“Is it true?” Theo’s eyes shine.
I nod. My voice still isn’t cooperating.
Theo steps forward, closing the door behind him. We stand a few feet apart, staring at each other with wide eyes. I watch him gulp again, his hands clenching and unclenching.
The air between us is thick. My heart rattles against my ribcage as I can’t quite take a full breath. Words still won’t come.
He’s here, so he must care about the baby…about me.
But the way he’s looking at me is making me pause. Neither of us moves. Maybe he’s just here out of duty? Maybe he doesn’t want me at all?
Worry knots in my stomach as my heart races. My sweating intensifies. I reach up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and my limbs feel heavy.
I shouldn’t have told him about the baby. What if the only reason he’s here is because he feels he has to be? I’m just another responsibility dumped on his lap.
Theo just stands there as another second ticks by. His tongue slides out to lick his lips, and then he steps toward me.
The tension breaks.
He slides his hand over my waist and pulls me close, using his other hand to cup my cheek.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he whispers, leaning his forehead against mine.
Instead of answering his question, I just wrap my arms around his neck. “Your sling is off.” It feels good to have both of his arms wrapped around me.
The Prin—the King’s—breath catches, and he closes his eyes for just a moment. “I want you, Cara. I want you beside me, always. I want to be a father to our child. I want to wake up beside you every morning. I feel…” His voice cracks, and I can’t take it anymore.
I tilt my head up and brush my lips against his. Gently. Tentatively. Hesitantly.
Theo isn’t tentative. He doesn’t hesitate. He tightens his hold on my waist and pulls me close, pressing his chest to mine. His lips part as he claims my mouth. He kisses me like never before, showing me exactly how he feels.
My heart flies. I kiss him back, letting go of all my fears and insecurities. I let go of everything that brought me to Juilliard. Everything I thought I wanted.
What I want is love. Acceptance. The freedom to be me. I don’t want the freedom to run away. I want the freedom to choose.
Theo slides his hand over my cheek, tangling his fingers into my hair. He holds me close, kissing me more fiercely than ever before.