He hadn’t noticed me, and I could have walked away unseen, but I didn’t. “Jack?”
He turned to face me. Instant recognition sparked a smile across his face. “Quaid. Oh my god, how are…” His words died as his attention drifted to Juniper snuggled up in her carrier, dozing against my chest. The smile vanished, replaced by a frown. He glanced toward the party room and back.
Before he could comment, I said, “This is my daughter. Juniper.”
“Your… daughter?” His voice hitched. “I… didn’t know you were…”
“Married? Yeah. A year and a half ago. You remember Aslan. Homicide detective. Helped me on a case way back when.”
“I remember.” Several scars dissected Jack’s once-perfect face, a result of an attack that had almost taken his life. The man’s good looks had faded, and as he frowned, seemingly absorbing the information, he looked older and worn out. “Um… Congratulations, I guess.”
I asked the bartender for a container of hot water, and while he prepared it, I asked, “How’s life?”
Jack wet his lips and glanced around the restaurant as though seeking an escape. It was a rare day that I could ever make Jack uncomfortable. He’d spent years controlling and abusing my heart until I’d found the courage to finally leave.
“It’s great,” he said, but it was obviously a lie. “I prefer freedom.”
“You always did.”
The man behind the bar returned with my request. I thanked him, and he wandered off to help someone else. “Well, I should go.”
I didn’t say it was good to see him because Jack’s presence in my life had never been a good thing, but I did take secret pleasure in the forlorn look on his face as I headed back to the party room.
Aslan made quick work of preparing Juniper’s bottle, while I mingled with family and friends, reflecting on the past, all the trials and tribulations I’d endured through childhood and adulthood that had taken me to this point where I’d found happiness.
I had a loving husband, a healthy, beautiful daughter, and love in abundance from all the people around me. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Life was perfect.
***
