I looked at Ryan.
“That is why I tried to stay.”
His anger faltered.
“I tried to figure out how to live with what you did.”
He stepped toward me.
“Claire…”
“But you care more about what you call your male needs than about us.”
His face changed.
“I’ll change.”
I stared at him.
“I swear.”
He moved closer.
“Family first from now on.”
And for one dangeroussecond, I wanted to believe him.
I remembered him humming to Ava.
The way she wrapped her hand around his thumb.
The father he could be.
“Stay.”
His voice softened.
“We’ll work it out.”
“You don’t have to do this alone.”
My hand tightened around my purse.
If I stayed, there would be no cramped spare room.
No panic about what happened after six weeks.
No counting formula money.
No fear.
Or at least, not that kind of fear.
