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“Are you okay?”

Taking in a huge breath, I finally turn her way. She’s dressed in black leggings and a long white sweater, and our bump is really starting to show.

Christ is she beautiful.

“Yeah, just sick. Maybe keep your distance for a while,” I lie.

“Can we talk?” she says softly, taking one step toward me cautiously. I know she can read that I’m making excuses.

“Not right now, Princess.”

“I need to tell you something.” Her voice shakes.

Instinct kicks in. “Are the babies okay?” She’s nearly sixteen weeks, so we should be out of the danger zone.

“Yeah. It’s not about that.”

“Okay, that’s good,” I nod. “But I need to head home.”

“Don’t close off, please.”

“I’m not closing off, Kate. I’m just out of ideas with you. I need to reset and take a minute for myself.”

“I’m trying. I know whatever happens, we’ll make the best parents; you’ll make the best daddy.”

Holding up a hand, I drop my eyes to the ground. “Please, Princess. Not now. Not fucking now.”

She steps forward again. “I was wrong about you.”

“I know. You’ve told me this, and it’s good. We’re good.”

“I can’t bear to think you’re hurting.”

“Not now,” I repeat, pushing the door open.

“When will you be ready to talk?”

My vision blurred, I finally show her my eyes. “When you’re ready to admit you’re in love with me.”

“I feel so much for you.”

“Yeah, I know.” I grip the handle so fucking tight.

She stands there, this woman with so much strength who has been through so much. For the past two years, all I’ve seen is a hardened shell, yet today, she looks exhausted. But I can’t keep forcing the issue. I can’t keep letting myself into her apartment. At some point, you need that person to come to you to show you that she’s ready to hold your heart in her hands and keep it safe. To give your feelings validation.

“You’re still coming to the mid-pregnancy scan, right?”

How could she even doubt that? Whatever happens between us, she will never be without me by her side, raising our perfect babies.

My stick clatters to the floor, followed by my gloves, as I stride over to her.

Still in my full pads and skates and her in sneakers rather than heels, I tower over her. “You will never need to doubt my devotion to you,” I say, placing a hand on her growing bump. “And my family. Hockey is a distant second to you and this pregnancy.”

Looking up at me, she brings her palm to my cheek in response.

Fuck, I want to kiss all that doubt and worry right out of her.

“Do you want to see me before then?” Kate asks.