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“Katie, you grieved that man for years. It colored everything you did—even after you began to fall for Jeff.”
“It made me cautious. I should have held onto that since we see how that’s working out.”
“No word from him?” she asks, and I can tell she’s worried–so am I.
I shake my head and grimace as I admit that Jeff hasn’t cared enough to return one call or text.
“Nothing.”
“He’s probably sorting through everything, baby,” she murmurs, but she avoids my eyes. Mom loves Jeff. She wouldn’t say anything bad about him. She’s upset though.Me?I’m just hurt.
“Maybe so,” I whisper because there’s not much more to say.
The doorbell rings, and I pinch the bridge of my nose and hold my head down. Showtime, I guess. For some reason, walking toward the front door feels like I’m about to face the firing squad. It’s almost as if I can hear the rifles preparing to fire in my ears.
God, I hope I survive today.
I open the door to find Jake standing with his arms overfilled with white diner bags–large ones.There’s so much there that the only thing I see are his worn jeans, a rodeo buckle, and his slightly crooked cowboy hat. His arms are wrapped around all the stuff he’s carrying.
How the hell did he walk to the door like this without falling?
“Oh my gosh, did you buy the whole diner out of food?” I gasp, reaching for one of the bags, which is perched precariously on top of two others and completely covering his face. As I take the bag away from him, Jake’s lazy smile and sparkling brown eyes are revealed, and I have the strongest urge to put the bag back, so I don’t have to see him.
I don’t do that, however. Instead, I turn and walk toward the kitchen breakfast bar, leaving him to follow me—which sadly he does.
“I just wanted to make sure I got everything Lennon might want,” Jake explains.
I don’t know why his words make my heart flutter in my chest and make it hard for me to breathe. I bite down my retort that if he had been here from the beginning, he would know whatmychild would like. He can say whatever he wants, but he’s known the truth for four years, and he did nothing in that time. Even before that, I know hesaidhe didn’t know Lennon was his. I just can’t see how he couldn’t have at least suspected it. I push my feelings aside and paste on a stupid fake smile.
“Well, I don’t see how you could have missed it with everything you bought.”
“I hope not,” he says, and he looks worried. Maybe he really is concerned about getting Lennon to like him. I’m too bitter to give him the benefit of the doubt, however.
I start unpacking all the bags. I’m pretty sure there’s enough food here to feed the entire Longhorn football and basketball teams—with some left over.Container after container begins lining the counter as Jake helps me unpack.
“Holy cow,” I murmur, unsure of what else to say.
“I…uh…might have gone a little overboard,” Jake mutters, rubbing the side of his neck as color blooms over his face.
“Just a little,” I agree, and I can’t help but laugh. Jake looks at me, his lips relaxing into a smile. Something flashes between us that is almost enough to make me panic, but before I can try to decipher what it is, we’re interrupted.
“Jake! Mommy said you were coming with us!” Lennon yells as he comes running into the kitchen.
Jake turns and bends down to look at Lennon. His hand shifts and then he puts them on his legs.Was it my imagination or was he going to reach out to hug Lennon and stopped himself?
“Hey, buddy. I thought I would. If it’s okay with you, that is.”
“Sure. If you come along, I can use the men’s bathroom. I’m too old to be going into the girls’ room with Mom.”
“You definitely are,” Jake agrees, and I want to growl at him to cut it out. It’s already difficult being a single mother with a kid who likes to act like he’s a teenager. I don’t need encouragement from a man who doesn’t have a place in my child’s life.
Except he does.
He wants to be a father to Lennon, and I need to let him. I need to somehow make sure my feelings don’t get in the way of Jake being here for Lennon.
But if he hurts him, by God, I’m going to cut off his balls with a dull knife.
“You brought breakfast?” Lennon says, looking at the food containers.
