AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My chest tightens, and I look over my shoulder. “I’m sorry about that. I imagine this is hard position for you.”
“Oh, I wasn’t saying that to make you feel bad. You just asked and well… honesty is always the best policy, don’t you agree?”
I might as well hand her a shovel right now if she’s planning to take digs at me all night. “Right, of course. I know Monica really appreciates having him here, so thank you for understanding. And I’m sorry about how she reacted earlier. I should have prepared her better to meet you.”
I’d told her Jimmy was bringing someone along this weekend, but not who. I thought he should explain the situation to her, and I had no idea that she had it in her head that Jimmy and I were meant to be together.
“It’s fine, Lilah. You’re worrying too much. I knew coming here I was the villain.”
The knife hits the cutting board harder. “No. You’re not.” Even I hear my tone doesn’t match my words.
“You guys are the blood relatives and I’m the outsider. I do wonder, I mean, Jimmy was talking about the paternity test. I’m assuming there’s a hospital around here, and all it takes is a cotton swab.”
I drop the knife next to the chopped lettuce and go to the stove to restrict her visual of my face. “Yes. Jimmy didn’t say anything, but if that’s what he wants, I’m more than okay with it.”
The kitchen chair slides along the floor before her voice grows closer. “It must be nice to have all this control over him?”
I turn to find her leaning against the counter, her arms crossed. She’s perfection, right out of a magazine. I don’t envy those days when you never knew when your picture would be snapped. “I have no control over him.”
A hollow laugh falls out of her mouth. “No? You tell him when he can come. When he can tell her he’s her father. When I can be introduced. Is this how our life is going to be?”
I bite my tongue before I kick her out of my house. “I’m sorry you feel that way, and maybe when you have kids of your own you’ll understand how delicate you have to be with changing their lives.”
I want to pat myself on the back for being so nice.
“I didn’t plan on having kids. I've never wanted them in my life.”
Any hope I had for her being a great stepmom, being there when I can't, just disintegrated.
“Oh. I didn’t know. Jimmy—”
“Didn’t say anything? I’m not surprised. It’s been all about him lately. He probably thinks your daughter will change my mind.”
I want to blink to make sure she's the same Adelaide I knew six years ago. The last time I was around her, she was rude to me, but she was always respectful of Jimmy.
“Well, she is adorable, and I think you’ll get along well with her. After all, you both love Jimmy.” I stir the meat, my gaze falling on Monica’s door down the hall.Speed it up, Jimmy.
“It’s like his fan club here, right?” She laughs, although it’s tight.
I drop the spoon next to the meat and walk over to her. “Listen, I can’t imagine being in your shoes. I know you hate me, and that’s your choice. I’m not sure what I ever did especially to you, but I hurt Jimmy and you love Jimmy, so I get you hating me. But I’m not here on the weekends trying to lure him to me. If anything, I’m not around when he’s here because I try to give them time alone. But you’re marrying Jimmy and Monica is his daughter, which the paternity test will prove, so we need to learn to tolerate one another.”
She might as well put her hand in front of her mouth and yawn she looks so bored. “It’s just awfully convenient.”
“What? The fact he came to me? Remember that, Adelaide, I didn’t go looking for him.”
Hurt flickers in her eyes and she strips them away from me, but not before I see the fear. I can’t say I wouldn’t feel the same.
“All Jimmy’s ever done is say how much he’s looking forward to marrying you. I’m not a threat to you.” The meat sizzles, and I rush over to stir it, putting in the seasoning and water. “The only think I ask of you is don’t bad talk me or my daughter to the press. I’m scared of being swallowed up by their incessant interruptions.”
“You know there are no promises what the paps will report, but I don't want my name attached to those kinds of stories either.”
I glance over my shoulder. She seems contrite, so I have no choice but to trust her until she loses it.
Thankfully, before we can discuss any more topics, Monica’s door opens and she and Jimmy step out.
“Everything okay?” I ask, studying Monica. She looks resigned instead of upset.
“Yep, we’re good. Had a little chat, didn’t we, sweetie?” Jimmy squeezes Monica to the side of his leg.
