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Beckett sighs, whispering in my ear, “Does Jade have to be around our baby?”
I giggle.
Cassandra’s daughter, Dylan, comes running over and hugs Andie. I forgot that they go to school together. “I didn’t know you were coming. Want to go swimming with my brother and cousins?”
Andie looks up at Beckett and he nods. “Have fun. Be careful.” They run off to the pool.
I intertwine my fingers with Beckett’s, needing to feel him right now. He smiles down at it and squeezes me tight.
Dominic, Beth, and their kids reappear from around the corner with huge smiles. What a relief. I’m glad everything is okay.
Luke yells out, “Mommy and Dominic just got engaged. They’re getting married. We’re going to be a family.”
Everyone flies over to see her ring and congratulate them.
Beckett is smiling. “I didn’t know Dominic would be here. He’s a good friend of mine from work. I want to introduce you to him.”
BECKETT
Amanda tries to say something but before she does, Dominic walks over. He looks at our joined hands and then lifts his eyes to Amanda’s. “Beckett is the man you’re seeing?”
She nods.
I toggle my head between the two of them. “How do you two know each other?”
Dominic looks at Amanda to answer. She moves her eyes to mine, looking a bit nervous. “Dominic was my college boyfriend. I’ve mentioned him to you before.”
I can feel my heart racing. Sweat is now covering my brow. All of a sudden, I want to fucking strangle Dominic, but this is my first test since she’s back. I need to try to stay calm.
Through gritted teeth, I say, “I didn’t realize you two kept in touch.”
She shakes her head. “We don’t. Today is the first time I’ve seen him since college.”
Oh my god. He was the one she loved. Does she still love him? Does she want him back? I’m now finding it hard to breathe.
Amanda releases my hand and hugs the woman standing with Dominic. She says, “Congratulations.”
Oh right, they just got engaged.
Amanda then whispers something in her ear. The woman smiles as she returns Amanda’s hug.
I hold out my hand for Dominic. “It sounds like congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you. I...umm…didn’t realize it was Mandy you’re seeing.” He blows out a breath. “I didn’t even know she was Jade’s mother until today. What a crazy coincidence.”
This must have been quite a reunion.
He pulls the other woman close as I get my first good look at her. I immediately recognize her from Reagan’s party all those years ago. She has a uniqueshade of blue eyes that you don’t easily forget. I saw them together that night. Interesting. There must be quite the story there.
“This is my fiancée, Beth O’Connell.” They both smile at the term fiancée. It’s likely their first time using it.
I hold out my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Congratulations.”
She shakes it in return. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too.”
Dominic looks down at Amanda’s sweatshirt-covered stomach, wide eyed. Shit. I told him about my girlfriend being pregnant.
Amanda notices where he’s looking and then she turns her head to me.
