“I’m sold.” I pick it up, carefully pulling back the paper. After taking my first bite, I close my eyes, letting the flavors marry on my tongue. “This is so damn good.”

When I look to Pierce, he’s finishing off the last of a red velvet cupcake. “What?” He shrugs. “Did you think I was going to let you eat the whole box?”

“Have at it. I’m getting full already.”

I polish off the cupcake then stare out the window as we pass stores, restaurants, and people. My mind has time to wander again. In a few short hours, we’ll be back in Chicago, and I have no idea what awaits me there. I need space, time … actually, I don’t know what I need.

I’m not ready to face him—he’s either going to make it better or break us apart forever. Sometimes, I forget to put myself first. Sometimes, I jump into things without clarity. There’s only one thing I can do to get me there.

“I need to go home,” I announce.

“That’s where we’re heading.”

“No, I mean Nebraska. I need to go home.”

I am met with silence. Long and awkward.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” he asks, his voice softer.

Pierce has been like my journal; he always gets the truth.

“I’m pregnant.”

His eyes widen. His mouth opens, but no words come out.

I start crying; that seems to be the only thing I’m good at today. “It’s not yours if that’s what you’re thinking. I’ve done the math, and you always used condoms didn’t you?”

“Yes. I mean, I think I did.” His stare is distant … empty as he rubs the heel of his palm against his chest. Any hope he had for us is crushed. I crushed it.

“I don’t know what to do,” I confess, watching him because I deserve his pain.

“Have you told him?”

“Of course. Why do you think he wasn’t at the apartment this morning?’

He shakes his head, baring his teeth. “I never would have left you.”

Does he think I don’t know that?

“I need to go home for a few days. I need to get away … to clear my head.”

“Do you want to go now?” he asks, pulling his phone from his pocket.

My thoughts are all over the place. Blake wants to talk, but I don’t know if I want to hear what he has to say. Plus, time may be exactly what we need.

I nod. I have clothes at home. Most everything else I can get somewhere, and it would give me time to see my doctor.

Pierce puts the phone to his ear. “Hey, Mike, can you change our flight plan? We need to make a stop in Omaha before going home.” There’s a pause. Pierce nods. “Thanks, Mike. I appreciate it.”

This is one of those moments where I question my decision. My stupid heart must have something against perfection.

“Thank you.” There is nothing else to say.

He wraps his arm around my neck, gently kissing my cheek then lays my head against his chest. “I’d do anything to make you mine, but what I really want is for you to be happy.”

“You’ll never know how much this means to me … how much you mean to me.”

His fingers brush through my hair. “I do. I just wish you knew how much you mean to me.”

If he says anything else, I don’t hear it. I drift to sleep on a heart-shaped pillow.

IT’S DARK BY THE TIME the plane lands in Omaha—the city lights the only thing I see. I recognize Woodmen Tower and the new event center.

“Thank you for doing this,” I say to Pierce as the plane comes to a stop.

“You don’t need to keep saying it. I did it because I wanted to. Don’t worry about coming back to the office until Monday. You should have enough sick time built up.”

I nod, pulling my purse over my shoulder. “I guess I’ll see you Monday morning.” I wrap my arms around him in a show of appreciation.

He kisses my forehead. “Call me if you need anything.”

Within a few minutes I’m at the counter renting a car to drive back home. While the agent processes my information, I pull my cell phone out, turning it back on. I wait for it to load as she hands me the keys and rattles off several minutes of disclosures.

Three messages pop up.

Reece: Did you talk to Blake? Call me, plz.

Blake: What time will you be back?

Blake: I need to see you.

For now, I tuck it back in my purse and go claim my mid-size Honda from across the street. Blake has left me hanging so many times that it justifies me doing the same just to pay him back. I’m not that person.

Lila: I went back home to see my parents. Back next week.

Before pulling my car from the lot, I call Reece. It rings four times before she picks up.

“It’s about time. I’ve been worried about you.”

“Sorry, we were in New York all day and then I decided to come home for a few days.”

“Home?”

I start the car, letting the air conditioning kick in. “Pierce dropped me off in Omaha. I need some fresh air for a few days … some time to think without all the distractions.”

She sighs. “I’m going to miss you, but you made a good call. I guess Blake didn’t take it too well, huh?”

“He ran the way he usually does. He’s been texting me today, but I’m not going to let him take me on the roller coaster with him this time. I have more than just myself to worry about.”

“I don’t blame you.”

“It sucks, though,” I admit, tearing up again. “Look, Reece, can I call you back tomorrow? It’s been a long day, and I’m really tired.”

“Of course. Get a good night’s sleep, okay?”

“I will.” Before she can hang up, I add, “You’re a great friend. I really mean that.”

“You are, too,” she replies.

I laugh quietly. I don’t see how that’s possible when I have all the problems. “I try to be. Talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

As I drive out of Omaha onto the country roads Nebraska is notorious for, I roll down the window and turn up a little Brantley Gilbert. The smell of fresh cut grass and the occasional scent of cattle seep into my car, but they’re just more reminders of home.

It’s always going to be my safe place.

My nerves don’t show until I pull into my small town. In less than a minute, I’ll be in my parents’ driveway. There won’t be any way to explain my visit without telling them everything.

I take one deep breath and put my hand on the door handle.

I take another and actually pull it back.

After three, I’m finally out of the car making my way to the front door. I still have my key, but they’d probably have a heart attack if I just walked in. I knock instead.

While waiting, I peek through the side window, seeing the glow of the TV coming from the living room. Mom comes around the corner cautiously, her robe pulled tightly over her pajamas.

Her mouth hangs open when she sees me standing on the other side of the door. “Lila,” she says, folding her arms around me. “What are you doing here?”

“I need you,” I cry, burying my face in her hair. She’s used the same shampoo since I was a little girl. It reminds me of the hundreds of times she’s comforted me over the years.

“Come in. Do you have any bags you need help with?”

“No,” I answer stepping inside. “It was a last minute sort of thing.”

“James!” Mom yells. “Your daughter is here!”

I wince. I love my daddy, but he’ll have ten times more questions than Mom.

“Hey, baby girl.” He smiles, coming around the corner. “What are you doing here?”

Folding my arms over my stomach, I say, “I needed a break from the city.”

He pulls me in for a hug, kissing my forehead in the same spot Pierce had just over an hour ago. “I’m glad to have you home.”

For a while, we stare at each other. I know they know something isn’t quite right. They’re just waiting for me to say it or thinking of a way to ask me.

“Do you want to come watch some baseball?” Dad asks, motioning toward the living room.

I shake my head. I hate baseball. He knows it. “I was wondering if Mom wanted to sit on the back deck for a while. I’ve been stuck on a plane for most of the day and could use some fresh air.”