“I’m glad we came,” Faith told her sister. Seeing her mom healthy was good news. Her mom’s speech really opened her eyes. She was going to love her baby and enjoy her life even if it was without Adam. She refused to run after him, begging him for his time.
Holly turned the TV off and laid the remote down on the nightstand. “Me, too. I hope Mom stays sober. Ted sounds like a decent man.”
“Me, too. I hope it works out for her. I hated to think of her being all alone,” Faith agreed. “This weekend was nice and relaxing. I really needed this. Thanks for coming with me, Holly.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t tell Mom about the baby.”
Faith put her hand on her still-flat stomach. She had just found out a week ago she was pregnant. She was still dealing with so many emotions. At first she felt nothing but anger and hurt, then finding out she was pregnant had been a shocker. Anger turned into depression and fear. She never thought about having a baby. Could she do it all alone? She still had moments of pure panic at the thought of being a single mom, but she would deal with it. She was determined to give her baby all the love she had never received.
“It’s too soon to announce it. My head is still reeling. I have to get myself together before I tell people.”
“What about that jerk Adam?” Holly was so angry when Faith told her what happened between them. Holly would have gladly told him off, but Faith didn’t want that. She wanted Adam to come to her on his own, not because he was forced to.
“I know I have to tell him and I will soon.” Faith sighed. That familiar ache hit her chest and she had to rub it away. She was so disappointed in him. She didn’t want to deal with thoughts of him right now. “I also know he won’t want to be involved in the baby’s life and that’s okay. I don’t want my baby feeling rejected like I did. I’ll be a good mom.”
“I have no doubts about that, Faith, but Adam deserves to at least give you financial support,” Holly grumbled. “He should have known better, Holly. Anyone with eyes can see you’re not one of those easy hookups he likes to mess with. He should’ve known better than to pursue you romantically if he was just going to fuck you and reject you.”
Faith winced. She had been so stupid to think they had connected emotionally that night. It had been an illusion in her mind. Was she so desperate for romance that she just imagined Adam was honorable and serious? She had screwed up before, but this one was epic. They had used condoms, but somewhere along the night something had happened and she ended up pregnant. He had blown her phone calls off and the hurt and anger grew. Then he finally called with a lame excuse about being busy with work. As if she would fall for that lame line. At least she knew where he stood. She was going to have to brush away her own hurt feelings and be a mother. She could have an abortion, but the more she thought about it the more she wanted to be a mom. Obviously the chances of her finding love were slim to zero. She could be a mother, though. She could make sure her baby had a wonderful life without Adam. She would protect her child with everything she had.
“I know, Holly. You did warn me and I still fell for his charm. I don’t want him in my life out of duty.”
“I’ll help you, Faith. I’ll spoil my niece or nephew,” Holly promised fiercely.
Faith smiled, trying to lighten the tension. “That is a scary thought, Sis.”
Holly laughed and said good night. Faith closed her eyes but sleep eluded her. She couldn’t get a pair of golden eyes and a wicked smile out of her head or her heart.
Chapter 6
Adam could no longer resist the temptation to step into Faith’s coffee shop. He spotted her a few times around town, but she ignored him. It hurt more than he thought it would. He knew he was letting his past cloud his judgment, but he felt stuck in a world of fear. He didn’t know how to get out of it.
Would Faith look at him with hatred in her eyes or hurt? He would prefer the hatred. She was sweet and didn’t deserve to be hurt. He had not stopped thinking of her in the last seven weeks. He had even gone to the cemetery on his last day off, hoping it would stop him from thinking of Faith, but it hadn’t worked. He took a deep breath, parked his motorcycle, and turned it off.
He opened the glass door and went inside. A small Christmas tree filled with colorful lights stood in the corner. A few Christmas decorations were scattered around. He glanced behind the counter and spotted Holly and another young brunette, but not Faith. He felt disappointed and he wasn’t sure why. He had no idea what he would say to her? Let’s be friends? She would probably dump hot coffee on him if he said that. He was confused. He should just leave her alone, but something always pulled him back to her.
When there were no more people in line, he went up to Holly. “I was hoping to see Faith.”
Holly glared at him with her blue eyes. She put a hand on her hip. “Really, why? You had her and moved on. What were you hoping for, another round? There is no chance of that, Casanova, so keep on walking.”
“No. I just wanted to see if she was okay,” he said in a low voice. She was making him feel worse. He knew he deserved it, but he still felt the anger rise and run through his veins like a quick fire. What did Faith tell her about him?
She sneered. “How do you think she is? She likes you, Adam. She has been hurt by every guy she lets into her life, but she thought you were different. She was wrong.”
Adam grimaced and he felt two inches tall. He looked around the shop. Only two people were here and they had headphones on with a laptop in front of them. He wanted to argue with her, but he didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t meant to hurt Faith, but he knew he did. He felt guilty, but he wasn’t sure about getting into a relationship.
“Just get lost, Adam. Go mess with one of your floozies,” Holly said in a low, irate voice. She pointed to the door.
Adam sighed and turned around and left. He got on his bike and just sat there. It was the beginning of December and the air was chilly. He had a leather jacket on over his shirt. He was about to turn his bike on and head home when he spotted Faith parking her car in the alleyway next to her building. He waited for her to get out and head for the coffee shop. Did she look thinner or was it his imagination?
Faith looked up and spotted him. She frowned but walked toward him. She didn’t look like she was in a better mood than her sister. She walked straight up to him. He prepared himself for her yelling and calling him names. He would take it. He wouldn’t like it, but he felt bad for blowing her off.
“Hello, Adam.” Her voice was flat and she looked pale and tired. Her red hair was pulled away from her face in a headband.
“Are you sick?” he blurted out without thinking.
She wrapped her blue sweater around her body tighter and nodded. “I just came back from the doctor’s office. I’ll live. What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see if you were doing okay.” It sounded like a lame excuse, but he didn’t know what else to say. She was constantly on his mind, but did that mean h