We pull into a parking space next to the diner downtown. Logan turns off his truck.
“Let’s go.”
“What if she causes a scene?” I ask.
“She won’t. The only person causing a scene right now is you being afraid to go in there.”
I get out of the truck and walk past him into the coffee shop. I’m over all this “you’re acting like a bitch” talk.
The smell of coffee beans is overwhelming when I walk inside. It takes me less than five seconds to find Sara. My heart drops in my chest when I notice she’s sitting alone. She smiles at me and waves me over. I walk slowly, disappointed because Kelsey isn’t here.
“Hurry, sit,” Sara demands. May as well do what everyone else tells me since my own choices haven’t ended well. “She can’t run if you’re already sitting.”
Run.
What is she talking about?
“I have her purse, too, so she has to come to the table—oh shh, shh here she comes.” Sara waves her hands in my face. Kelsey stands just a few tables away. She looks perfect, wearing blue jeans and a plain white t-shirt that is now snug against her belly.
She stops when she sees me, and for a minute I think I see her eyes tearing up. Probably a pregnancy thing. I’ve read a little about it, but I’m still hoping they are tears of joy at seeing me. Her face has no expression as she walks to our table.
“Hi,” I say when she stops next to Sara’s chair. She squats down, grabs her purse, then walks away.
“Kelsey, wait!” I shout as I follow her out of the coffee shop. “Please talk to me. I messed up, I know I did, but—”
“But nothing, Ethan. I don’t want this baby to grow up in a lie or to suffer like I have.”
“It wasn’t a lie. Nothing with you was a lie. I love you.” I grab her hand and pull her close. “I love you more than anything and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Please. Please give me that chance.”
Tears flow over her cheeks as she looks away and time stands still. She takes a moment to catch her breath.
“I’m not going to keep you from your baby, Ethan. No matter what happens, this baby deserves a father. You will always be a part of my life, but I can’t trust you, Ethan, and I…I don’t want this. I don’t want us.”
“Just give me five minutes to explain. I never intended to hurt you. I just wanted my dad’s approval.”
“You had more than enough chances before this all happened to talk to me. To trust me. But you didn’t and this is what happened. I’m sorry, Ethan.”
And just like that, I watch her walk away without fighting. She’s given me more chances than I can ask for, and the only thing left for me to do is wait until she decides to change her mind. Deep down, I am scared that she won’t.