The night was calm when Colton finally returned home. The studio had quieted down after the long, joyful graduation celebration, and though he’d stayed back to help Maya handle the guests, his mind had been half on Isabella the whole time.

He parked his car in the driveway and entered the house quietly, expecting she might already be asleep. But as soon as he stepped into the living room, he saw her sitting on the couch, wrapped in a soft blanket, her belly round beneath the pale blue maternity dress she wore.

She looked up the moment she heard the door open. “You’re finally home,” she said, pretending to frown,...