AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her pink lips curl in disgust. “A few months before she was due, out of nowhere, she told Cohen she wanted to put Noah up for adoption. Cohen begged her not to, promising to accept all responsibilities and custody. As soon as she gave birth, she ran off to Vegas. Cohen kept his word, is an amazing father, and hasn’t spoken to Heather once. Noah has met her a few times when he’s been with Jamie but doesn’t know who she is to him.” She sneers in disgust. “We prefer to keep it that way to protect him.”
My stomach clenches.How could someone do that to their child?
Poor Cohen.
“Wow,” I draw out, my eyes glued to Georgia. “Who’s Jamie?”
“Heather’s sister,” Georgia answers. “She has a relationship with Noah.”
I peek over at Cohen. “That sounds like one giant ball of headaches.”
Georgia shrugs and grabs her beer. “Not really. We’re grateful for Heather’s absence.”
As if in perfect timing, a little boy races into the backyard, tennis shoes stomping against the grass, and takes over everyone’s attention.
“Dad!” he shouts, clutching something in his hand and holding it in the air. “You won’t believe what Jamie bought me!”
Affection spreads over Cohen’s face, and he releases ahumphwhen the boy jumps into his arms, squeezing him into a tight hug.
Noah holds the item on display when he’s dropped to his feet. “It’s an iPod!”
The kid is adorable—a little Cohen with his brown hair and small frame.
Noah’s smile can’t be contained as he jumps up and down. “It’s blue!”
Cohen bends down on one knee to Noah’s level. “That’s so neat, buddy!”
“Hey, Jamie!” Georgia shouts, causing my attention to slide to a tall brunette woman coming our way.
“Hey,” she replies around a yawn.
“You want to stick around?” Georgia offers.
Jamie shakes her head. “I’m working a double tomorrow and in dire need of sleep.”
“That’s awesome that you’re a doctor.” Grace shudders. “Blood makes me squeamish.”
“Everything makes you squeamish,” Finn says, crouching behind her and ruffling his hands through her hair, disheveling her braid.
“Especially you.” She reaches up, sticks her palm in his face, and nudges him away.
Cohen and Noah run over to us.
“An iPod?” Cohen asks Jamie. “You didn’t have to do that. You spoil him too much.”
Jamie laughs—a forced one. “It’s for selfish reasons, so I can FaceTime him.”
“You always FaceTime me to talk to him. It’s never been a problem,” Cohen responds with a hint of a frown.
Her face is expressionless. “You’re busy sometimes.”
He winces before checking himself. “We have plenty of food.” His hands sweep toward the table. “Stay.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I can’t.” She bends down to hug Noah. “Make sure you call me, okay?”
Noah hugs her back and then salutes her. “You got it!”
She kisses his head and tells everyone good-bye.
