He pulled out of her slowly and moved away. Suddenly she felt cold. Why did her body and heart ache for this man? He made it so obvious he wasn’t happy about all of this, yet she still yearned for something, any sign he changed his mind.
“I didn’t come here with the intention of seducing you, Faith,” he said awkwardly as he stood up. He grabbed his clothes off the floor and started getting dressed. His moves were fast, as if he couldn’t wait to get away from her.
Faith sat up and threw her sweater on without the bra. “I know, Adam. I wanted you, too. I know it’s just a physical release on your part but for me it’s more than that. I can’t just pretend my feelings are not involved.”
“Don’t, Faith. You deserve better.” He interrupted, looking gloomy.
She looked up at him, feeling sorrow hit her like a ton of bricks. “You’re right, I do deserve someone whose heart is not buried in the grave.”
Anger was better than sorrow and grief. She stood up and pulled her panties on. She looked him straight in the eye. “I wish you luck with your ‘poor me’ attitude, Adam. You are not the only one in this world who has ever experienced pain. You can’t hide in the past forever. One day you are going to wake up and realize you lost a good thing and it will be too late. You just keep on brushing me off like I mean nothing to you.”
“That’s enough,” he said in a cold voice.
“No, it is not,” she yelled out loud, her emotions were going out of control now, but she didn’t care. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She wanted to hurt him the way he hurt her. She knew it would not help but she couldn’t stop the words from coming out of her mouth. “I love you. I would have done everything in my power to make you happy, but you can’t open your eyes and see what is in front of you. Well good luck with your old memories. I no longer want your friendship. It will be better if we don’t see each other again. I will call someone in your family and let them know when the baby is born. Until then, stay away from me.”
His mouth thinned into a frown. “That might be best.”
She nodded and watched him grab his jacket and leave. She sat on the couch half undressed and sobbed until she felt numb. One day he would regret giving her up. He would want her and the baby in his life and it would be too late.
Chapter 9
Take a break, Faith,” Jenny suggested, looking around the café. “I had morning sickness all nine months with Nathan. I remember how awful it felt.”
“Ugg.” Faith groaned. “Don’t tell me that, Jenny. Tell me labor is pain-free and tomorrow I will eat a whole pizza without getting sick.”
Jenny laughed, handing her a freshly baked muffin. “I wish I could, honey.”
Her back did hurt. She was becoming a wimp. Jenny was an excellent employee and Faith was thinking of making her a manager so she could take an extra day off a week.
She had her first ultrasound lined up and she was excited. Part of her wanted to call Adam, but then she remembered their awful fight. She hadn’t seen or heard from him in the last few days. She should be glad, but her heart still ached. She knew she had to keep her distance or she would never get over him. Making love with him that night had been wonderful and awkward at the same time. She loved being close to him, but once it was over she didn’t know what to say. She regretted blurting out that she loved him. She didn’t regret the rest of what she said.
Faith grabbed a cup of hot tea to go with her muffin. She sat down by the window and watched people walking up and down the street.
She saw Alana Blake parking her car and sighed. Adam probably told his family she was expecting a baby. Great. Like she needed more turmoil in her life.
Alana came in and spotted her. She gave Faith a hesitant smile and sat down.
“Hi Faith,” she began hesitantly. “I hope you don’t hate me.”
“I guess Adam told you?” Faith sighed, picking at her muffin. Her appetite disappeared.
Alana nodded. “He told Noah and Noah told me. I know Adam is being a stubborn ass right now, but I wanted you to know if you need anything at all you can count on me. I feel terrible about how Adam is acting.”
“Thanks, Alana. That’s nice.” Faith took a bite of her muffin. “My morning sickness lasts all day long, so I nibble on small meals.”
“Is that normal?” Alana asked looking concerned.
“My doctor says so.” Faith shrugged. “Would you like something?”
Alana shook her head no. “My family is having a Christmas dinner at the restaurant next week. We have it early so it won’t interfere with anyone’s schedule. Nothing fancy, but I thought you might like to join us. Your sister, too. We should all get to know each better.”
Faith wondered if Alana had talked it over with Adam. He must not have mentioned the fight. “I doubt Adam would be happy about seeing me there, Alana. He made it clear he will do his duty with this baby but he wants nothing to do with me.” Except for sex.
Alana looked annoyed. “Men can be such idiots, but don’t give up on him yet, Faith.”
Faith hated being so emotional. It hurt to think Adam didn’t want her. There was nothing like rejection to lower a girl’s self-esteem. “What’s the point in hanging on to a pipe dream? Adam is still in love with Josie. How do you compete with a ghost? He made his decision loud and clear, and I would rather not speak to him at all. It hurts too much.”
Alana looked sad for a minute. “Awhile back Noah and I started dating, but then he got scared and asked someone else out on a date. We broke up and I thought it was hopeless. I gave up and wallowed in self-pity. Then Jeremy Slate robbed our restaurant and stabbed me.”