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I clear my throat. “It’s nice Millie and Ava have help, that’s all.”
“It’s not help, Jessa. It’s a joint effort as it should be with parents.”
“Right…”
Andy grabs my cup along with his own and tosses it in the trash can not too far away, choosing to keep his opinion to himself. I know he wants to say something, but I don’t try to get it out of him, which ultimately will lead to us arguing over my husband.
“So, that woman at the ball, you never said her name?”
“Anastasia?”
“Nice.”
“Nice?” he repeats. “And you asked because…”
“Because that’s what friends do.”
“I’m not dating her if that’s where you’re going with this.”
I turn to face him. “I wasn’t going there. Besides, why would I care? You’re single as if I’d care who you date.”
He nods. “Or fuck, right? Because you know I don’t date but still need to get laid.”
A painful tightness restricts my throat, causing a wave of nausea which I try to ignore. I’d be stupid to think he would stay celibate for the hell of it. I just don’t understand why him being with other women still gets to me.
“Yep, just a typical guy,” is all I say.
Bentley fusses, rubbing his eyes. Andy tries to distract him with a plane in the sky which works for a few minutes, but he has those hangry eyes—a combination of hunger that turns into anger.
“I need to feed Bentley, plus it’s time for his nap.” A small trickle of rain hits my forehead. Great, so London. I scoop Bentley in my arms as the rain begins to fall heavier, trying to protect him.
“My hotel is across the street. Take him back to my suite and out of this rain.”
Andy reaches his arms out to take Bentley from me. I pass him over, making sure everything is inside the stroller as I follow Andy to the hotel.
I welcome the warm air inside the lobby, but as we make our way up, Bentley becomes more tired and cries while Andy manages to calm him down enough until we’re inside the room.
“Can I change him on your bed?”
“Of course, inside there.”
The room is a typical hotel suite, but five stars, of course, because no chance in hell Uncle Lex or Dad would let Andy stay anywhere else. I’d barely caught a glimpse of the lobby, worried about Bentley’s tired tantrum.
Andy passes me the diaper bag, trying to distract Bentley on the bed while I quickly change him. When he’s all clean, I grab his bottle and cradle him in my arms, knowing he’ll be asleep in a few minutes.
I sit on the bed as Andy puts a pillow behind me, a simple gesture I welcome. Just as I predicted, Bentley closes his eyes halfway through his bottle.
“He must be so tired. He’s going through this stage. Aunt Charlie said it’s normal but will test my patience,” I say, unaware I’m just rambling. “I’m always so exhausted, but he’s my son. He’s not Eliza’s son. At least that’s what I keep trying to tell Benedict.”
Andy is sitting in front of me, only an arm’s length away, as he watches Bentley with a soft smile.
“It’s not wrong to ask for help if you need it.”
“My mom didn’t have help, neither did Kate or Aunt Charlie,” I remind him, the guilt weighing heavy on my shoulders. “Or your mom.”
“True, but they had each other. What’s the saying about it takes a village to raise a child?”
I smile. “Millie says that all the time.”
