“Please don’t disrespect me by lying to me. I know what I saw.”
“What you saw was me kicking Cat out of my house after I found her waiting for me in my bed... Naked.”
This gets her attention and she moves from floating on her back to facing me, her legs treading water to keep her from sinking.
“That seems extreme, even for Cat.”
“I’m starting to realize there’s very little she won’t do to get what she wants.”
“I could have told you that.” She snorts.
“I swear I never touched her.”
“I want to believe you.” Her expression softens.
“Then do it, because I’m telling you the truth. I don’t want Cat. I’ve never wanted Cat. I only want you.” I move closer, doing a silent victory fist pump in my head when she doesn’t move back in response.
“Even after everything?”
“Always.” I inch even closer, less than two feet between us now. “I got your message on the boat. That’s why I came home.”
“You did?” She seems surprised by this. “You never answered.”
“I was trying to think of the right words to say. When I finally responded, you were gone.”
“Lou caught me in the bridge.”
“Trust me, I heard about it.” I smile, inching closer still. “Did you mean what you said? That you want to be with me even if I’m having a baby with Cat?”
“Yes.” Her breath hitches when I close the remaining distance between us, sliding my hand across her back as I pull her flush against me.
“You’d do that? Watch me raise a child with another woman?”
“I think you’ll find there’s very little I wouldn’t be willing to endure to be with you.” Her words are barely above a whisper.
“But you shouldn’t have to endure anything.” I push a wet strand of hair away from her face. “But the fact that you’re willing to means more to me than you will ever know. But I think perhaps I should let you in on a little secret.”
“What’s that?” Her voice trembles ever so slightly.
“I’m not the father.”
An array of emotion crosses her face in a matter of seconds. Surprise. Disbelief. Confusion. And then finally, relief.
“But I thought... Josie made it seem like... Are you sure?”
“Positive. I got the results directly from the doctor’s mouth. The baby isn’t mine.”
“Then whose baby is it?”
“Jeffery Thomas.”
“Jeff? No.” She shakes her head like she can’t believe it. “I thought he and Maggie were still together.”
“Apparently not. Or if they are, he has some serious explaining to do.”
“Did she know? Did she know he was the father and purposely tried to pin it on you?”
“I can’t say for sure, but that’s what I expect.”
