Free Stalemate by Dahlia Rose

have a six-two in heels bombshell? Then have to explain how she got pregnant. I get it, I’m not even five-eight in heels.”
    “She kissed me. Did you see me kiss her back?” Bryce asked. “This is press, and everyone is looking to make some kind of trend statement.”
    “I didn’t see you stop her,” Isa shot back.
    “You also didn’t see me avoid her for the rest of the night. Or the disgust on my face because she tasted like old cigarettes and baseballs. That can be attested to by many people, including the one reporter from the Good Morning Show who actually teased me about it.” Bryce pulled out his phone. “Should I call him now?”
    “How much does he get for backing up your story?” Isa goaded him.
    Bryce narrowed his eyes and his voice was cold. “I don’t nor ever have worked that way and I sure as hell won’t be starting now. We can’t keep doing this, Isa, one step forward two steps back. Dancing around each other in this emotional chess game when it’s always going to be a stalemate. I’m not running and you can’t either, not anymore. You fucking scared the shit out of me. I thought you were back in the hospital. I called Dr. Allary and he hadn’t be paged....”
    His voice broke and he shook his head, turning away from Isa. Her heart broke seeing a man like Bryce get emotional. She didn’t think he would be worried after the initial problem with her pregnancy.  Isa kicked herself in the ass because she knew she hadn’t thought at all. She’d worked on adrenaline and straight up jealousy then ran away from the problem. Or maybe I was hoping he’d chased me. Isa frowned at the thought because she wasn’t that insecure and didn’t play those games. Why had she started now? Instead of being upset with Bryce, she started searching her own inner demons, the ones she’d thought were long buried.
    “Bryce, I’m sorry.” Isa stepped closer and put her hand on his arm. “I wasn’t thinking you’d worry and I was pissed off.”
    “Why wouldn’t you think I would worry?” Bryce placed his hands on her shoulders.
    Isa looked up at him and answered honestly. “Because other than Tawny, in my entire life, no one ever really has. I guess deep down I always had this fear that eventually you’d get tired of pretending you cared for me and the twins and go back to your usual life. Then I could hide behind my walls and say I was proven correct.”
    “Isa, you called the mansion a big empty place in no uncertain terms, and it is cold and empty,” Bryce said. “That night when we were in there was the first time I’d been in that family room in months. But it felt warm and alive, like what my parents had when I was growing up. I felt used and betrayed when I found out you used Tawny’s name. But then when you said you were pregnant, a sense of elation bubbled up inside me, even though I was angry and my pride was bruised.”
    “Why?” Isa whispered.
    “Because, now that empty house would be filled with warmth and the sound of laughter and happiness in all corners. It would resound through the halls and there would be toys on the floor and pancakes with chocolate chip faces in the kitchen.” Bryce grinned. “I always wanted siblings, and here you are giving me twins so they won’t ever have to play or feel alone.  I pushed for a wedding because I was trying to seal the deal so you couldn’t leave and we wouldn’t live apart. I admit now it was a bullish way to do things, but the sentiment remains the same. I want you, I want a family with you, and that’s the truth.”
    “So she tasted like cigarettes and baseballs?” Isa teased. “Who was she anyway?”
    “And a hint of tuna.” Bryce grimaced. “It took two glasses of champagne and the disgusting taste of caviar to get it gone. She’s the daughter of some real estate tycoon with old money to back him. She sees herself as a starlet, singer and actress when she is none of those things. I think people put up with her for her