Page 71

“No. Now, move.” I hurry past him.

“Think you can hold it?” he calls out.

I give him the finger.

* * *

I push the door open to the stall, pushing it shut and locking it while I squirm. After the lock is secure, I hike up my dress and yank down my underwear. Once I’m able to finally go, I sigh. That was a close one. I doubt my Kegel exercises would have kept me from pissing myself if I had to wait a second longer.

After handling my business, I open the stall door, only to stop at the sight of Jessica’s reflection in the restroom mirror, dabbing tears from her eyes with a paper napkin. She notices me about a split second after I notice her, so there’s no backtracking into my stall.

Wordlessly, I head to one of the sinks, two down from where she stands, and wash my hands, fixing my eyes on my reflection.

“I shouldn’t have come,” she says.

I grab a folded paper towel to dry my hands. “Then why are you here?”

My question isn’t meant to be confrontational. I’m curious why she would want to come to her friend/ex-lover’s coed baby shower, especially after being uninvited.

Her eyes meet my mirrored reflection, but she doesn’t answer me. Not with words, anyway. Pain twists her features as she shakes her head. “How did you get him to fall in love with you?”

“You don’t get someone to fall in love with you. Either they do or they don’t.”

The sadness in her eyes morphs into something else. Pity, I think. “Wow. I had it all wrong. You and me, we’re the same.”

I turn to her fully. “You need to leave. Now.”

Jessica straightens and juts her chin. “I’ll go. I didn’t come here to cause problems.”

I cock a brow. “Are you sure about that, Jessica?”

“This wasn’t supposed to happen. Hunter was there for me, as my friend, as a lover—someone who understood what I was going through.” The skin around her eyes crinkles into fine lines, as anguish paints her features. “He helped me heal, but that’s all it was supposed to be. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with him.”

“And you’re telling me this, why? We aren’t friends. I don’t even know you.” What does she want? A hug? Ole’ girl needs a confidant and I’m not it.

“You’re right.” She swipes her fingers underneath her eyes. “Forgive me for trying to warn you.”

“I don’t need you to warn me.” I already know.

An incredulous chuckle leaves her lips as she gives me a once-over. “Good luck. With a man like Hunter, you’ll need it.”

Jessica leaves the restroom, and I’m left standing there feeling like a lovestruck idiot.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Woosah.

Jessica tried it, but I will not let her ruin my day. I take a few minutes to recenter with a few long cathartic breaths. Once I’m confident I won’t bring negative energy into my baby shower, I exit the bathroom with a smile that still feels a little forced.

More guests have arrived during my brief absence, but I spot Hunter immediately, talking with Quentin and Fatima James. I recognize Quentin from one of Hunter’s IG reels. The two of them were doing some silly trending Instagram challenge. The number of views and the thirsty comments were off the charts.

Fatima is freaking gorgeous, which is what I expected. Look at the men who fell in love with her. Both men listen attentively to whatever she’s saying before bursting into laughter. Beauty and a sense of humor. Lovely.

Harper, an accountant at Dandridge & Wesson, comes to stand next to me. “How tall do you think he is?”

“Six-five, six-six, maybe?” I grab three bacon-wrapped scallops from a passing tray.

Effie, from our marketing team, joins us. “He looks like a Ken doll.”