CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Julian slides into the booth, across from Jenna, that easy smile of his already working its magic. "You must be the famous Jenna."
She grins, one hand resting on her growing belly. "And you're the guy who's got Liza walking around like she's in a Nicholas Sparks movie."
"Guilty." He extends his hand. "Julian. Nice to finally meet you."
"Congratulations on the pregnancy," he says, nodding at her stomach.
"Thanks. This one's kicking my ass way more than my first." She shifts in her seat. “And I'm craving these burgers like you wouldn't believe."
I watch them fall into conversation—Julian asking about her son, Jenna teasing him about his "brooding musician vibe"—and something warm settles in my chest. They like each other. That matters more than I thought it would.
Reeves appears with our order, setting down three massive cheeseburgers with his usual gruff efficiency. "There you go. Extra pickles for Jenna."
"You're a saint," she says, already grabbing hers.
Julian's gaze flicks to Reeves, taking in all six-foot-four of him—the broad shoulders, the tattoos, the dark eyes that don't miss much. Reeves stares back, assessing.
"Thanks, man," Julian says evenly.
Reeves nods once and walks off.
I catch the slight tightening around Julian's jaw and bite back a smile. He's jealous. Just a little. It's adorable.
Jenna tears into her burger like she hasn't eaten in days. "Oh, my God. I needed this."
I pick at mine, taking small bites. It tastes like cardboard. My mind keeps circling back to that crumpled note in Julian's trash.
I found you.
"You okay?" Jenna's watching me, burger paused mid-air.
"Yeah. Just tired."
Julian's hand finds mine under the table, squeezing gently.
Jenna swallows, then points her burger at Julian. "Listen. You seem nice. But if you break her heart, I will hunt you down and finish you. Understood?"
Coming from a pregnant woman with ketchup on her chin, it's the least threatening threat I've ever heard.
Julian laughs. "Understood."
I laugh too, but it feels thin.
Because Daniel's still out there.
And he knows exactly where I am.
And he knows I'm with Julian—this beautiful, perfect man.
Daniel won't let me have him, won't let me have happiness.
He absolutely won't stand for it.
Of that, I am sure.
I slide Gord's plate in front of him—fish and chips instead of his usual burger and onion rings—and don't even notice until he clears his throat.
