That’s because I thought I tore my C-section stitches, but it’s just tomato residue, but also because you’re right in front of me and it’s been months since I last saw you. As much as I hate you, I also want to tear your clothes off and make love to you for as long as is humanly possible, I scream inwardly.
“I’m fine,” I repeat out loud.
“What do you expect?” Mae shouts. “You abandon your girlfriend and your daughter and then waltz back into town and expect her to be okay.”
Jack’s jaw clenches, but he doesn’t say a word in his own defense. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the crowd gathering again. Anna is restless, crying softly into her fist.
“Let’s go.”
“Alright.” He reaches for my arm but stops himself when he sees me flinch again. The muscle in his cheek jumps as it always did when he was irritated. It’s his annoyance that sets me off.
“What do you have to be upset about? I’m the one who got knocked up and abandoned. All you got was a little avocado on a suit!” I cuddle Anna close and run out of the grocery store, leaving behind Mae, my purse, the car carrier, and most of all, the man who broke my heart.
When I reach the car, I realize my idiocy. I can’t leave without the car carrier. Turning around, I see Mae approaching with Jack following close behind. So much for my grand exit.
Anna is full-on crying now, which ratchets up my own anxiety. I bounce lightly on my heels, wishing for this day to end.
Mae rushes up and stashes the car seat in the back.
I lower Anna in and secure her. “Sorry,” I tell Mae. “I didn’t mean to abandon you back there.”
“In these circumstances, I would’ve left, too. Come on, let’s get out of here. Want me to back over whatshisface?” She jerks her head toward Jack, who is standing just to the side, watching us take care of Anna.
“Have the cops left?” I ask.
Mae scans the parking lot. “I don’t see them.”
“You know I can hear your entire conversation,” declares the man in question.
“Did you hear something?” I say to Mae.
She holds up a hand to hear ear. “Nope. I didn’t hear a thing.”
We share a smirk before she climbs into the driver’s side. I hurry around to the passenger side, but Jack halts my progress.
“Where’s home?”
Where’s home? He moved in the day we met and didn’t leave for two months. That he’s so conveniently forgotten that is almost more hurtful than enraging.
“None of your business.” I give his solid chest a shove, but he doesn’t budge.
“I’m going to follow you regardless. It’ll be easier if you tell me.”
“Like I’m going to make anything easy for you.” I try to dart around him, but he’s too nimble and easily blocks my way. “Look.” I scowl and pin my eyes over his shoulder because I can’t handle looking straight into his beautiful face. “I want to go home. My daughter wants to go home.”
“Our daughter,” he interrupts.
I clench my teeth together. My hands curl into fists at my side. “I’m not telling you where I live because I don’t want you to follow me. You gave up your right to know that information when you sent me a check and told me not to contact you again. You have no daughter.”
“Do you have a document severing my rights?” His tone is mild, but there’s steel behind his words that sends a shiver of concern down my spine.
“You’re not on any legal documents,” I reply testily.
“Are you going to make me get a paternity test?” Involuntarily, my eyes meet his. In those dark brown depths, I see serious resolve.
I think of the blank spot on Anna’s birth certificate where his name should be and then I bring up my small bank balance and wonder how long I could hold out in a protracted legal battle.
Before I can answer, Mae sticks her head out the window. “Anna’s dying in here. She really needs her mama.”
Jack grabs my elbow so I can’t escape. “We’re on our way.”
The grip is firm as iron. I’m not going anywhere without him.
Chapter Three
Since I only live five minutes away, the drive home is mercifully short. Jack sits in the back next to Anna, who miraculously stops crying the minute he joins her. His heated stare is stuck to the back of my neck, making all the hairs there stand up in alarm.
I want to fly out of the car as soon as Mae pulls into my driveway, but knowing my luck, I’d fall on my face and then they’d have to call the ambulance again. I manage to calmly unbuckle my seatbelt and get out without making a fool out of myself.
“Thank you for the ride,” I tell my friend as I bend over Anna’s car seat.