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Back Common Ground Save as PDF
Chapters (107)
  1. Glossary
  2. One
  3. Josh
  4. Two
  5. Delaney
  6. Three
  7. Delaney
  8. Four
  9. Delaney
  10. Five
  11. Josh
  12. Six
  13. Delaney
  14. Seven
  15. Josh
  16. Eight
  17. Delaney
  18. Nine
  19. Josh
  20. Ten
  21. Delaney
  22. Eleven
  23. Josh
  24. Twelve
  25. Delaney
  26. Thirteen
  27. Delaney
  28. Fourteen
  29. Delaney
  30. Fifteen
  31. Josh
  32. Sixteen
  33. Josh
  34. Seventeen
  35. Delaney
  36. Eighteen
  37. Delaney
  38. Nineteen
  39. Josh
  40. Twenty
  41. Delaney
  42. Twenty-One
  43. Delaney
  44. Twenty-Two
  45. Delaney
  46. Twenty-Three
  47. Delaney
  48. Twenty-Four
  49. Josh
  50. Twenty-Five
  51. Josh
  52. Twenty-Six
  53. Delaney
  54. Twenty-Seven
  55. Delaney
  56. Twenty-Eight
  57. Josh
  58. Twenty-Nine
  59. Delaney
  60. Thirty
  61. Delaney
  62. Thirty-One
  63. Delaney
  64. Thirty-Two
  65. Delaney
  66. Thirty-Three
  67. Josh
  68. Thirty-Four
  69. Delaney
  70. Thirty-Five
  71. Josh
  72. Thirty-Six
  73. Delaney
  74. Thirty-Seven
  75. Josh
  76. Thirty-Eight
  77. Delaney
  78. Thirty-Nine
  79. Josh
  80. Forty
  81. Delaney
  82. Forty-One
  83. Delaney
  84. Forty-Two
  85. Delaney
  86. Forty-Three
  87. Josh
  88. Forty-Four
  89. Delaney
  90. Forty-Five
  91. Delaney
  92. Forty-Six
  93. Delaney
  94. Forty-Seven
  95. Delaney
  96. Forty-Eight
  97. Josh
  98. Forty-Nine
  99. Delaney
  100. Fifty
  101. Delaney
  102. Fifty-One
  103. Delaney
  104. Epilogue
  105. Delaney
  106. Also by Wendy Smith
  107. About the Author

“I never wanted you to not know. And I know that’s a double negative, but you know what I mean.”

He laughs. “I know what you mean.”

“Goodnight, Josh.”

Squeezing my hand, he raises it to his lips. He closes his eyes and kisses it softly. “Goodnight, Delaney.”

“Thank you for a lovely evening.”

And then he lets me go, and I walk to the car without looking back because I know if I do, I’ll stay.

Maybe that wouldn’t be a bad thing, but I need some fresh air after that reminder of the past.

I need to be home with my girl.

Twenty-Two

Delaney

Josh

My hands tremble as I look at the envelope.

What would my life have been like if I’d received this? What would I have done back then if I’d found out about Delaney’s pregnancy?

There’s a good chance I would have thrown away my film career just to be with her. I’m not sure if I ever would have had another opportunity like the one I got.

Regardless of my success, it’s a high price to pay for the family I should have had. Delaney and I could have worked everything out years ago.

I walk back into the house and sit on the couch.

Taking a deep breath, I break the seal on the envelope and pull out the piece of paper from within.

Dear Josh,

I’m sure you’re surprised to hear from me. Well, surprise!

I was a coward that morning, and ran before confronting you, but I heard you on the phone. At least you didn’t have to worry about dumping me, or letting me come home and breaking my heart then. And I am heartbroken. Why? I fell in love with you, but why did you do it?

As much as I want to know the answer, this letter isn’t about me.

There’s no easy way to tell you this, but I’m pregnant. It’s okay. I don’t expect you to take responsibility for the baby. I’m not sure what I’m having yet, but I wanted you to know, and I’ll contact you again when the baby arrives just in case you do want to know.

I’m not living with my mother anymore. She gave me an ultimatum that I get rid of the baby or leave, so I left. My friend Pania, who I told you all about, and her mum have taken me in. She’s got a huge family, and our baby will be a part of that family now, so he or she won’t want for love.