Page 21 of The Last Thing (Baker Girls #4)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

HALLIE

Wilson Decker is destroying me day by day.

No. He’s destroying my walls.

Soon they’ll be nothing but a pile of rubble, and I have no doubt he’ll step in, charming smile on his face, and whisk me into his arms like I’m the princess in some sort of fairytale.

Not a helpless princess. A badass princess. And he’s the knight who had to earn my trust… and my heart.

I’m scared. Every day, this feeling of falling for him gets a little more overwhelming, and I’m torn between wanting to give in or run away.

It all ends with heartbreak. I have to choose what kind I want to face.

My stomach whirls because it’s not really a choice.

It hasn’t been since Wilson’s eyes landed on me from across the bar. Since I felt the heat of his gaze, then spent the night learning the intensity of his touch.

I always knew he was going to ruin me, but I expected it to be my body, not my heart.

A slight wave of nausea falls over me, and I almost shake my head. This baby is lucky. Wilson is a great dad, and it’s clear he wants to be the same way for our baby.

When it rains, it pours .

I thought that when I was sitting on my couch, no clue what to do next.

I had no idea how right I was about that. The downpour hadn’t even started yet.

Now I’m running around in the rain, still hoping my entire world doesn’t flood. But there’s also a bit of sun shining through.

And that’s why it’s time to tell my parents.

My parents are realtors and run their own business together out of their home. I still have access to their calendar, so I checked and they should be free right now.

I ate lunch not too long ago, so I shouldn’t have to puke.

Flicking my phone on, I pull up my mom’s number and hit call.

A prickle of nausea forms in my gut, but this time it’s from nervousness. My parents are both supportive people, and since my mom got pregnant with Frannie before she met my dad and hid that fact from Frannie for years—pretending our dad was her biological father—she has no room to be judgy.

“Hello, my second prodigal daughter. How are you?”

I smile and instantly relax at the warmth in my mom’s voice.

“I’m good. How are you? Is Dad there? I have something I want to tell you guys.”

“We’re good. Yes, your dad is right here. Putting you on speaker.”

“Hey, honey,” Dad says. “How’s Ida treating you?”

“It’s good. I’m a little surprised by how much I like it.” I swallow hard, not sure where or how to start.

“What’s going on?” Mom asks, cutting right to it. She always knows.

“Well… I’m pregnant.”

There’s silence for a moment, and I close my eyes, drawing my knees up to my chest.

“Say something,” I squeak. I’m still the baby of the family who doesn’t want her parents to be mad at her.

“Sorry,” Mom says quickly. “We’re processing. I might’ve expected that from Frannie. Maybe. But… what, uh?—”

“Who?” Dad asks.

I chuckle lightly.

“Make sure you’re sitting down, because you’re not going to believe this story.”

Pulling a pillow onto my lap, I snuggle up in the corner of the couch and tell them everything—well, not everything —but the majority of it.

“And Frannie had no idea…” Mom laughs in disbelief. “But you’re happy? And this… Wilson… you’re together?”

“Yes.”

I don’t like lying to my parents, but honestly, I’m not sure what the answer to that is. If Wilson had it his way, we would be together. And in some ways, we are. This is what the Facebook status “it’s complicated” was invented for.

What am I supposed to tell them? That I’m broken and afraid to fall in love?

“And that’s what you want, right? You’re not just doing this because you’re pregnant with his child?” Dad asks.

I shake my head vehemently, even though they can’t see me, and the truth spills out. “I felt something the first night we met, but I was afraid to admit it. I… really care for him. And Sophia.”

“We want to meet them. Both of them. Can you come down for a dinner? This weekend or next? We could come to you.”

I saw that coming. “I would love for you to meet them both, and I’m happy to come down there, but for the moment, you’ll have to settle for only meeting Wilson.

We want to wait to tell Sophia until I’m further along, and…

we’re still easing her into the extent of our relationship.

” I’m a little lying liar. “But by Thanksgiving, she’ll know, so maybe we could all be together then.

And I could bring Wilson down next weekend? ”

“We totally understand, and we’d love that,” Mom says.

“We look forward to meeting him. And seeing you,” Dad says.

“I miss you guys. I can’t wait to see you. Oh, and can you not mention this to anyone else yet? I’d like to hit the twelve-week mark first. Obviously, you can tell Kend’s parents. And I’ll tell Gran. But otherwise?—”

“We’ve got it. Our lips are sealed. We’ll let you go, but take care of yourself. Let us know if you need anything. We love you, honey.”

“Love you,” Dad calls.

“Love you both. Bye.”

I hang up, then go over to the messaging app I use for Gran, so I can reach her wherever in the world she is.

Me: Where in the world are you right now?

The three dots appear instantly.

Gran: I’m in the Netherlands right now. Just after dinner time here.

Me: Sounds fun.

Gran: You know me. I’m always having a good time. Have you been having a good time?

Me: You could say that.

Gran: Sounds like my sweet little Hallie is getting into some mischief.

Me: Working on it. I’m pregnant.

Gran: My youngest grandbaby is having a baby?

Me: Yep.

Gran: Who’s the lucky man? Or is this a turkey baster situation? You’ve joked about it in the past.

Me: There’s a man. His name is Wilson. He’s sweet and caring, but he’s got a fun side that he rarely shows. He’s also got an 8 year old daughter who is beautiful and brilliant… and I’m her nanny.

Gran: Don’t tease me like that. Tell me the whole story.

Me: Well, it all starts with a carnival…

After a fun conversation with Gran—who made the same romance book comparisons I’d expect from Justin and Jade—I’m walking up the stairs to Frannie’s apartment.

She meets me at the outer door and leads me inside, then gestures to the couch.

“I’m loving working from home more, especially now that you’re here. Breaks to hang out with you are so much better than blinking at my laptop screen in an overly air-conditioned office.”

I laugh at that.

“Good to know where I rank on your list of things to do.” I clear my throat. “I told Mom and Dad.”

“And?”

“They’re excited. Instantly asked to meet Wilson and Sophia.”

Her eyes narrow. “Wilson, huh?”

“That’s his name,” I say coolly.

“Mhm.”

I swear to God she sounds just like Mom when she does that.

“He asked me to call him that. And we’re becoming… closer.”

“Oh, you are so gone for him. I love this for you.”

“Well, bite your tongue. I’m not falling head over heels in love with him or anything.”

She nods dramatically. “Whatever you say.”

“Shut up. Has anyone ever told you how annoying you are?”

She smiles wickedly. “You. Every day of our lives.”

“That just proves you’re a bad listener.”

“So, are you going to introduce them?”

“I’m going to ask Wilson to go with me to see them next weekend.

Sophia doesn’t know yet, so that’s complicated.

And… I was hoping maybe you’d be willing to stay with her or have her up here while we’re gone.

I figured you’re sort of like her aunt-ish person now and you two should know each other better. ”

Frannie puts her hands to her heart. “Hal, I’d love to. She’s a sweetheart, and of course I want to be a part of her life.”

“Thanks,” I say, but it comes out a little too high.

Frannie’s smile grows again. “You’re falling for him.”

I stare at her for a moment, but saying anything other than yes would be a lie. So I do what any girl does when their sister is being annoying. I stick my tongue out at her.

“I hate you.”

“You love me,” she sings.

“Whatever.”

She laughs and we fall into an easy conversation.

But my mind keeps wandering to what I told my parents today, then back to Wilson.

I want him to be mine, but I also know… I don’t get to keep him. And setting myself up for that kind of heartbreak… that’s not something I want to do.

But at this point, it might be too late.

I clap my hands as Sophia does a beautiful pirouette to finish up dance practice.

She runs over to me and throws her arms around me, and I hug her back. It’s probably a bad thing that I’m thinking of her as mine.

I’ve always loved the kids I’ve nannied for, but this is different.

This love is different. Maybe it’s because I’m growing a baby right now or because the bond between us was instantaneous.

I don’t know. But there’s something more maternal in there.

A deep, protective love that’s bigger than anything I’ve felt for a child I’ve nannied for.

They weren’t mine .

Technically, Sophia isn’t either. But she feels like she is.

When she breaks our hug, she looks over at Maria, who waves at her, then back up at me.

“Can Maria and me have a sleepover on Friday?”

I rest my hands on her shoulders and look at her sweet face and big puppy dog eyes.

“That’s up to your dad, but if he says yes, I promise I’ll come over and do your hair and nails… and whatever else you want.”

“Thank you!”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

She and Maria boisterously say goodbye to each other, and we head out to my Wrangler.

Though it’s not ideal, I’m thinking about asking Gran for a little loan to get a new-to-me car.

She has more money than she’ll ever need and she likes to help us all out if we need it.

Since my parents and Kennedy’s parents are well enough off, Kennedy is settled with Devon, and Frannie is dating a pro quarterback, they don’t have much need for that money.

While we do have a couple of other cousins scattered around from our other uncle, they’re a little older and settled in their lives.