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“He’s getting sleepy,” Harriet says as she approaches. “I’m going to get him ready for bed.”

“I’ll clean down here and be up soon, sweetheart. Be good for Mama, buddy.” He tickles his son’s foot.

“Night, Tate.” Harriet leans down to half embrace me.

“Thanks for tonight, Harry.” Talia walks over, ready to leave, and I stand. “Both of you. It was real nice of you to invite me.”

Talia and Harriet hug while Warren and I exchange handshakes, and then we head out. We left the truck at home, and enjoy the cool evening air during the short walk. A couple of kids race their bikes down the street, and birds sing, announcing the day coming to a close.

As good as the barbecue was, I’m left feeling hollow.

We reach the house, tired from the sunshine and food. Talia fumbles in the pocket of her denim jacket for her keys, and then pauses. She slowly pulls out a tiny baby sock.

She blinks down at it. “It fell off Ethan’s foot. I was, uh, keeping hold of it. Harriet is always going on about how many socks he loses.” A well of emotion pours out of her as she toys with the piece of clothing. “I’m his godmother. Did you know that? Harriet and Warren aren’t religious, but they wanted to assign the title to the special people in his life.”

I know the thoughts running through her head. The same race through mine.

I reach out and brush my thumb over the soft cotton. “What a lucky boy to have you looking out for him.” She sniffles and the noise cracks me clean in two. “Talia…”

Glassy eyes look up at me. “I should’ve told you about the pregnancy test the moment I took it. And the pill.” She shakes her head. “I’m so sorry for making that call without you.”

“Talia, let’s go inside⁠—”

“No, Tate. I can’t. It’s killing me. I look at Ethan and I love him so much, but he reminds me of what I took away from us last year. It was selfish and⁠—”

“And your body. Your choice.” I grip her shoulders, giving her a light shake. “I couldn’t understand it at first. We were so excited to start a family. Do I wish there was a baby boy or girl waiting for us through these doors? Every damn day since we’ve been apart. But those wishes won’t come true unless I keep fighting for them, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop. You say you don’t resent me, but if I’d left you at home with a newborn baby while I was touring around the country, I’m certain you would then.” The fist around my heart is suffocating, but it’s a necessary pain. “The timing was right until it wasn’t. Until I flipped our world upside down.”

Fresh tears cling to her lashes. “You don’t hate me?”

“Tally Girl.” I drag her into me. Screw the fucking rule. My arms envelop her in a crushing hug. “My heart will never be capable of such a thing. I hate what we did to us.” I draw back. “But you? Never in my life.”

We stare at the sock in her hand.

“You’ll make an amazing momma one day. You hear me?”

It kills me to leave the statement open-ended. Another word, and I’ll make promises I’ll be forced to break. Of course she’ll make an incredible mother, but there isn’t 100 percent certainty I’ll ever see it happen.

All our mistakes and wrong turns swirl around us, keeping us locked in the embrace. Our hopes and dreams sit on the sidelines, watching on at our new reality.

She doesn’t agree or disagree, just shrugs limply and shuffles toward the door. How long has she kept those thoughts inside and hung out with Harriet and Ethan while her heart was breaking? Time and time again, she’s hidden her feelings and emotions to protect others.

Because I can love her with every shred of my soul, but will it be enough?

I fish the keys out of her pocket and unlock the door. “Come on. It’s been a long day. Do you want me to run you a bath?”

“It’s okay. I was going to stay up and watch some TV.” She edges toward the living room. My cue to make myself scarce.

“I’ll see you in the morning. I’m making pancakes for breakfast, the way Momma made them, so bring your appetite.” One step toward the stairs and she stops me in my tracks.

“Do you want to watch with me? I was going to make some popcorn and watch Lord of the Rings.”

I twist my neck. “The extended edition?”

She rolls her eyes. “What else?”

Buttered popcorn sits in the middle of us ten minutes later. Talia sits with her feet curled underneath her, a pillow pressed to her chest as we watch the opening credit on the couch.

If the six weeks aren’t enough to save us, I have this. I called her mine once, and she called me hers.