“Julia, let me stop you—”

“Please,” she says, holding up a hand. “Let me finish. I’ve got plenty of amazing support, financial or otherwise. But if you are interested in being involved, I want to be clear about what my expectations would be. I’m looking for a true partner—a co-parent who’ll shoulder a fair share of the responsibility of raising this baby. I ask that you show up and be there for her the same way I will. That you’re just as invested in raising her as I am. Both feet or none at all kind of thing. I’m not playing that game where I force you to grow up or show up. I don’t need the hassle or disappointment, and neither does this baby.”

My hand tightens around the back of my neck. Yeah, I may be scared shitless, but I’m not a deadbeat. It hurts that Julia would ever think I’d leave her to deal with this mess on her own.

If I’m going to be a dad, even if this whole thing is a terrible surprise, I’m going to do it right. I’ve never done anything halfway in my life. And my own parents are pretty damn amazing role models. I’ve always wanted to live up to them.

I want to do the right thing here. For the baby. For Julia.

Then again, what is the right thing when you ruin every good thing you touch?

I still have to try. I’ve worked hard over the past few years to provide for my family.

I’ll work harder to provide for this baby.

I go with the most obvious, if most painful, solution.

“I’m in. One hundred percent. Should we—” I clear my throat. “Get married?”

A look of horror crosses Julia’s face. “No.”

I’m surprised to find I’m offended by her emphatic refusal, even though part of me is also incredibly relieved.

I already fucked up one marriage. The thought of entering another, even for altruistic reasons, makes my skin itch with imaginary hives.

“I’m sorry. That came out wrong,” she explains, taking a sip of water. “I just meant that I’m a romantic at heart, and if I ever do get married, I want it to be because I’m crazy in love, not because I got knocked up.”

A stab inside my chest. My hand slides from my neck to the offending spot just above my breastbone.

I know all about getting married for the wrong reasons.

“I understand,” I say. “I just want you to know that I’m all in, Julia. I take care of my own, and our baby will be no exception.”

I always, always put my family first. Especially after what I did to them. I have many sins to atone for.

“Greyson.” She looks at me and frowns. “You should really take some time to think about this. The weekend at least. It’s a huge decision. And I don’t want to get my hopes up if—”

“I don’t need time. If you’re in, so am I.”