The Bound Between Us

Chapter 1029

"Alright, it won't happen again." Anastasia kept her eyes on Herman's hand, worry flickering beneath her calm. "If Rowan finds out this was all Autumn's doing, you know how he is-he'll lose it. Something bad could happen."

"There's definitely a chance." Herman got her, as always. "Let's head over to the clinic now."

A wave of warmth washed over Anastasia. No matter what, Herman always had her back. He understood her better than anyone.

She grinned, giving him a playful nudge. "Babe, seriously, you were never worried someone else might steal me away?"

"Not even a little." Herman was nothing if not confident. "Guys like me? One in a million. No runner-up."

Anastasia burst out laughing. "Listen to you! My taste wasn't always this sharp, you know. I used to pick all the wrong ones. What if I'd missed out on you? What if I just couldn't see how great you were?"

"Then it'd be my fault, 100%." Herman replied without missing a beat, full of that charming survival instinct. "I clearly wasn't doing enough."

She blinked, then smiled, voice softer. "Honestly, Herman, there was a time I wasn't so sure about us either. I kept wondering about you and Sandy Morton- those months you two spent in Willowbrook, I couldn't even bring myself to think about it."

They shared a quiet understanding. Still, Anastasia needed to get it out; once a thought's there, it needs saying.

"I get it." Herman said, steering with one hand, his voice warm and low. "Back when I lost my memory, I wasn't so sure of myself either."

It was the first time she'd heard him admit that. She reached over, ruffling his hair with a laugh. "Well, you're stuck with me now-forever."

through, clearing out all the old shadows, until only

life, and the one after that, my shoulder's still

out?" Herman grinned. "That time, you'll be the man and I'll be

went wide. "Herman! Didn't know you had dreams of being

just shrugged, perfectly cool. "Why not? Then I could be the one to have

up, her heart light and full. She smiled so much

kids was just what women did, nothing special about it. But men would never get it—having a baby was a brush with

talked, they pulled up

killed the engine, and they

clinic was closed up tight, lights off, but Rowan's car

headlights still burning. He must've been in such a rush

why was the door

look. Herman stepped up

They waited. Nothing.

car is right here. Let me try,"

called, “Hanna?

a few tries, she finally

muttered, "I knock, nothing. You knock, instant

"Aw, is

The door creaked open.

opened it halfway, blocking