Page 100 of Blue Line

“Any news?” Jake asks.

Caleb shakes his head. “Just that everything is going well, but slow. Sounds like it could be a few hours at least. Hunter told the nurse to tell us to go home, but I told her no way in hell.”

Everyone laughs.

Caleb takes the free chair next to Elias and Sebastian, while Holt and Becca claim two of the chairs along the other wall. Becca pulls out an e-reader from her purse, and Holt closes his eyes, leaning back and resting a hand on Becca’s thigh. I can’t help the small smile that graces my lips as I watch them. Everyone’s conversations continue, and I walk over to Sutton, Jenna, and Ansley.

“Room for one more?”

Ansley scoots over and pats the coffee table next to her. I peer at it warily. It seems as though it’s barely held together.

“Not sure we should be sitting on that.”

She nods, standing up, and we grab the last two empty chairs from the other corner of the room and bring them over. The conversation picks back up, but I barely pay attention. Why isn’t Wes here? I would have thought he’d have been one of the first people to arrive. Did something happen to him? Is he okay? No, I’m just being silly. He’ll be here eventually.

The guys wouldn’t be so relaxed if there was something wrong with Wes. Plus, I know I would have heard about it from my brother. I try to listen to what Ansley is saying, but it’s hard to focus.

The door to the lounge squeaks open behind me, and I know that it’s Wes who’s walked in. I can feel his presence. I turn around, and my heart sinks when I see him. He looks the way I feel—dark circles around his eyes, a grim expression on his face, a far cry from his usual happy demeanor.

Our gazes lock, and I hold my breath, wondering what he’s going to do. Ignore me? Be cordial? We need to talk, but I’m not sure that a hospital waiting room filled with most of our closest friends and his coach is exactly the best place.

“This is not a good idea,” I mutter as he strides toward me.

Ansley elbows me and leans closer. “Go talk to him.”

“I don’t know …” I hiss under my breath.

“Go.” Sutton tips her chin toward Wes. “Stop being stubborn and talk to him.” She gives me a look that I can’t argue with. She’s going to be a great mom one day, that is, if she decides to have kids.

With a resigned sigh, I rise to my feet and move toward him. I can feel everyone watching us. I was not prepared for this. I still need another week until I can put my grand plan in place. I didn’t account for Madison going into labor and seeing him here.

“Maybe we should do this outside,” I whisper when we’re standing in front of each other, barely a foot apart.

I slide my hands into the pockets of my shorts, rocking back on my heels so as not to reach for him out of habit.

He shakes his head, clearing his throat and glancing around.

“We’re really doing this here?”

“We are,” he says, and I realize I asked my question out loud. “I’m sorry, Hadley. I really fucked up.”

“No, you didn’t, Wes. I did. I’m—”

He holds up a hand. “Let me finish.”

I swallow, gesturing for him to continue.

“I was only trying to help with the job situation, but in hindsight, I realize I shouldn’t have interfered. Especially after you told me you wanted to figure it out for yourself.” I go to tell him that I understand now why he did it, but he continues talking. “Hadley Jane Abbott, I love you.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I think I’ve loved you since the day I saw you in that red bikini at the beach a few years ago.”

“Wes,” I whisper, blinking back tears.

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re the only woman I want.” He sinks down to one knee, and I gasp as he pulls his mom’s ring from his pocket and holds it out to me.

“Weston,” I murmur, glancing around to see everyone’s attention on us.

“Be quiet, tornado.” Laughter rings out around us. “Hadley Jane Abbott, will you marry me? I know we haven’t been dating for long. I know our engagement started off as fake, but let’s make it real. We can have a long engagement if you want. Just say you’ll be mine forever.”

“Wes, I should be the one apologizing. It’s me who screwed up.”