“Unless what?” I ask.
“Is there any chance you’re pregnant?”
Her question makes me laugh. “No, we haven’t gone there yet.”
She arches a brow. “Really?”
“Really.”
She nods. “Okay, I guess we can rule out pregnancy.”
“When he was kidnapped, I was so scared. But he puts himself in danger like that all the time for his job,” I say.
“Is that something you can’t live with?”
“I don’t know. I guess it hadn’t really sunk in.”
“Well, think hard on it. Can you live with him taking risks? Or would you prefer not to have him in your life?”
The idea of him not in my life guts me. It’s not an option. No, I need to figure out how to deal with this.
“Samantha? Willow?” Axel yells from downstairs.
“I’ll leave you alone to think, but if you want to talk some more, I’m here.”
“Thanks.”
After she leaves the room, I stand and walk over to a mirror that’s above the dresser. I wince when I catch my reflection. My eyes are red, and my mascara has run down my cheeks. I wave my hands in front of my face to dry it.
I leave the room and find a bathroom. After I’ve cleaned up my smeared makeup, I realize I owe Durango an apology if he’ll listen to me. I make my way downstairs, but he’s not in the living room or kitchen.
“Looking for Durango?” Axel asks from the kitchen.
I nod.
He points to the open back door. A breeze of fresh air comes through. I walk through it and spot Durango sitting in a chair on the patio. He turns to glance at me.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
He stands up. I take a step closer.
“I’m sorry for trying to push therapy on you. After talking to Samantha, she helped me realize this was about me, not you.”
He doesn’t move or say a word, and I’m growing nervous under his stare. But I push forward, taking another step closer.
“I opened up to you about Tyler and everything that happened. I’ve felt very vulnerable doing that. And I guess I had hoped you’d be willing to be vulnerable with me, too. But we aren’t even dating yet, so it’s understandable you haven’t been.” I glance up at him, and he’s still staring at me. “Durango, I’m a bit of a mess right now. My emotions are all over the place, and I’m sorry for taking any of it out on you.” I swallow back the tears that threaten.
He takes two steps and has his arms around me. “You’re going through a lot.”
I nod. “That’s what Samantha says.”
“She’s right. And I’m glad she’s your friend. She’s a good person.”
She really is. Even after I ghosted her because of Tyler, she resumed our friendship as if no time had passed.
I wrap my arms around his waist, enjoying his comfort and warmth. He tightens his grip around me.
“I thought about what you said about me opening up. At first, I was angry. But you’re right; I don’t let everyone know what’s going on deep inside. It’s not something I like to talk about. And frankly, I’m scared to talk to you about it.”
