Read Online Into the Fire (Bridge Book 2) by Meredith Wild - Free Book Online Page B

an unsteady breath and exhaled, a slow tear traveling down her cheek. “Yeah, we’ve talked about it, but I didn’t think it’d be this soon.”
    “Cameron is the love of your life. You made a baby. I can’t think of anything more romantic. Tell him. He’s going to be so thrilled. I just know it.”
    She shook her head, but I could tell she wanted to believe me. “I don’t want him to be angry with me for being irresponsible.” Her voice was a whisper.
    I wanted to pull her into a tight hug. Instead, I reached for her hands and held them in mine, wanting her to believe me and take comfort in the words I knew to be true.
    “Cameron loves you. No matter how it happened, it’s happened, and it’s something to celebrate now. Okay?” I wiped away her tear and smiled. Not for her sake, but because my happiness in that moment was too big to temper. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like…to love someone as much as she loved Cameron and to be carrying proof of that love. To be taking that next step together.
    She smiled a little, and my heart felt even lighter.
    “When should I tell him? We’re not supposed to see each other until the wedding tomorrow. I’ll ruin everything. I don’t want anything to ruin our day, but I don’t want to keep this from him anymore either. It’s been weighing on me. God, you have no idea.”
    I hushed her, smoothing my thumbs over the backs of her hands. “Maya, tell him tonight if you want to.”
    “Do you think I should?”
    “Do what feels right, and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks, okay? We’re all here for you .”
    She nodded. “Thank you.”

    * * *
    M aya had retired early for the night. Too restless for sleep, I hung around one of the outdoor bars at the hotel. The sky was a midnight blue, and the sweet smell of plumeria wafted through the warm ocean air. I twirled my half glass of pinot grigio by the base.
    Maya’s news was overwhelming. Not in the same way that it was for her, but an overwhelming reminder of how quickly life can change. Months ago she was barely living. Working hard every day, partying harder every weekend. Starting all over again on Monday. Not too different from my world, really. And now she was hours away from being married to the man of her dreams. In a matter of months, their family of two would grow.
    More than anything, I was happy for my friend, but I couldn’t ignore the sting of regret I felt under that happiness. I took a deep breath. Filling my lungs with the ocean air, I refused to let my thoughts linger too long on my own unfulfilled dreams.
    I swallowed down the last of my lukewarm wine and did the one thing I promised myself I wouldn’t do. I powered on my phone and checked my messages. Mom had texted a few times, asking me how things were. I texted her back, letting her know I couldn’t stay in touch as regularly being out of the country.
    Then I checked my e-mail, and dread quickly overrode all my other emotions. My phone loaded dozens of e-mails from work, many from Reilly, including a calendar invite for a review lunch scheduled for when I got back. Subtle. I stifled a groan and turned the phone off.
    “Hey, beautiful.” Darren took the bar stool beside me.
    “Where’s Cam? I thought you were going into town tonight.”
    “Nah. He turned in early. I’ll give you one guess where he is.”
    With Maya no doubt. I grinned to myself, knowing better than Darren did why that was a good thing.
    “Can I buy you another drink?”
    “Actually, I should head back to the room. Big day tomorrow.” I grabbed my purse and stood.
    I may have been restless, and reconnecting to my work e-mail wasn’t helping matters, but I wasn’t sure my mind was in the right place to fight off Darren’s flirtations.
    Darren caught my hand, keeping me from leaving. “You look tense. What’s going on?”
    I hesitated. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
    “Come on. Take a walk with me.” He tipped his head toward the dark shore that met the