Page 40 of Through the Storm

“I hear all this talk, but you’re still holdingmyhand.”

Like letting go never even crossed her mind.

KATY

I’m nursing my virgin lemonade, but I’m still having too much fun.I’ve just finished torturing Ben with my completely ridiculous paternity percentages when I notice someone walking toward us.

Logan.

Amazing, just what I needed tonight. I’m so not ready for this. I forgot he knew the triplets from high school. He grew up in Rose Bay too.

He hesitates, clearly uncomfortable, but too decent not to say something.

“Hey Katy. How’s the little zucchini doing?”

“Thewhat?” Ben turns to look at me, his eyes missing their usual softness.

“The baby is the size of a zucchini this week,” Logan explains, then offers his hand to Ben. “Hey, man. Logan.”

Ben’s lips are tight, his eyes showing that he put two and two together. He offers his hand anyway. “Ben. We’ve met before. At the bar.”

“Right.”

Ben grabs my waist and pulls me closer to him. “I appreciate that you looked out for Katy.”

“Of course. She’s a good friend. Will you be looking out for her now?”

“Yeah. Her and the zucchini. And that’s not changing, whether it turns out to be a zucchini, a carrot, or a damn eggplant.”

Logan stifles a laugh, then nods once. “Good. I’m glad to hear that. Katy, it was nice to see you. Keep me posted on how you’re doing.”

“Sure.”

Then he steps away, disappearing back into the chaos of the party.

When he’s gone, I can’t bring myself to meet Ben’s eyes.

“I…I wanted to hurt you,” I admit quietly. “And that’s how I did it.”

Ben exhales, slow and controlled, but his hand never leaves mine.

He looks away for a second, jaw flexing.

“Yeah,” he says. “You did.” His gaze is still fixed on where Logandisappeared. “But I’m still here. And I played a part too.”

My stomach knots. “I’m sorry.”

He finally turns toward me. His jaw is tight, but his eyes are steady. “Don’t be sorry. You did nothing wrong.”

I stare down at my lemonade. “Yeah. But still, I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

Ben steps closer, voice low but sure. “Katy.”

He waits until I look up.

“Either way,” he says, unwavering, “I’m choosing you. And I’m choosing that baby.”

Something inside me loosens at the certainty in his tone.