Chapter 71

Piper

Austin had been gone for nearly three weeks, and there were days when I regretted not going with him. It was for the best. My therapist agreed the time apart was doing wonders for me. Not only was I more confident in my ability to move past what had happened, I was also able to think about what I wanted with Austin. I always seemed to get caught up in the moment with him. It’s how I’d ended up in bed with him all those years ago. It’s how I’d ended up dating him.

Getting caught up in the moment with Austin was exciting and fun. While I might not be the hopeless romantic I’d once been, that part of me came to life around Austin—just not to the extent it had when I was younger. I also wanted him to take care of me, but I’d regret it later if I couldn’t stand on my own two feet. Considering what I’d discovered, I had even more reason to be glad I hadn’t gone on tour with Austin.

“What now?” Cerise asked as she scooped out ice cream. “Are you going to marry him and live happily ever after?”

“No Austin insults?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I haven’t insulted him since you officially started dating,” she reminded me.

“You’ve definitely warmed up to Austin.” I was intentionally not answering her question about my plans. “I’ve been craving ice cream all day.”

“I’m surprised you think that tactic will work,” she said as she added the toppings to the sundae.

“Which tactic would that be?” I asked innocently.

“The one where you try to change the subject,” she accused. “And yes, I have warmed up to Austin. Even while he’s in Europe, he’s trying to be there for you.”

While in Europe, Austin had sent me notes and gifts, including a weekly produce box. Most would describe Austin as amazing. I’d use that word, too, but I still had to admit, “He’s doing a little too much.”

“You’re too picky,” she accused.

“How am I picky?” I asked.

“You have a great guy who is worried about you. He’s trying to help you out in any way he can. Before you complain about how much he’s doing, remember that it wasn’t easy for me to hold back. You are lucky I haven’t been making Andy cook all your favorite meals and deliver them to you, no matter where you are.”

“I shouldn’t be complaining,” I said with a smile. “His heart is in the right place.”

“That man is head-over-heels in love with you,” Cerise added.

I took a bite of my sundae before responding. “I know he is, and I love him, too.”

“Have you told him?” she asked, continuing before I had a chance to respond. “What am I saying? Of course, you haven’t told him yet. You’re still afraid he’ll hurt you.”

“No!” I argued. “I’m not at all afraid of Austin hurting me. He’s more than proven he’s grown up and deserves a chance. For your information, I have told him how I feel.”

“That’s my girl,” Cerise praised with a grin. “When do you plan to tell him about the baby?”

Ah, the baby. When I’d realized I was late—about a month late—I’d decided to take a pregnancy test, assuming a condom and my birth control had failed. Sure enough, it had come back positive. My doctor ordered a blood test to confirm. After discovering my numbers were higher than expected, she’d done an ultrasound. We’d just gotten back from my ultrasound, and I was still having trouble believing what I’d learned. It seemed the spotting around Valentine’s Day hadn’t been my period. I’d had very little nausea, and I’d assumed the exhaustion was due to stress. As it turned out, I was eleven weeks pregnant with Austin’s child. I always scoffed at people who claimed they didn’t know they were pregnant, but I could now claim to be one of them.

“When he gets back,” I replied. This was a matter I’d put a lot of thought into.

“You should tell him now,” she argued.

“What do you think he’ll do if I tell him I’m pregnant now?” I asked.

“Ditch the tour and come home,” she admitted.

“Exactly! I love Austin too much to let him mess up this tour. The tour will be over soon, and then I’ll tell him.”

Cerise wasn’t the type to get overly excited about anything. Still, she let out a little squeal and clapped her hands together. “I can’t believe I’m going to be an auntie!”

“I can’t believe I’m going to be a mom,” I admitted. “This changes everything.”

“But in the most amazing way,” she insisted with a grin.

She was right. The shock hadn’t completely worn off, and I wasn’t sure what it would mean for my job or my relationship with Austin, but it was amazing.