Mirabel waved at a pretty woman with dark hair who walked alongside a beautiful girl who could have been her younger sister. “That’s Bethany. She’s doing my old job at Merivale. And that’s her daughter.”
I noted a dark edge to Theadora’s tone. “Is there something about them that you don’t trust?”
“The mother’s quite cagey. Her daughter served at a dinner party we were at, and Crisp looked like he was going to pounce on her.”
“He sounds dangerous.”
She nodded wistfully. “He’s that, all right. And he’s got his sleazy eyes all over Manon, Bethany’s daughter, who is a serious flirt.”
My brow lowered. “With Ethan and Declan, too, you mean?”
“With everyone. I’m not worried about Declan because he’s so sweet to me.” She smiled, wearing a starry-eyed glint.
“And Ethan?” I couldn’t help myself after a little jab of jealousy.
“I haven’t noticed anything there. He’s off in his own world. Really distracted. I think this whole pregnancy thing has really thrown him.” She raised an eyebrow. “He misses you, Bel. He admitted that the other night when he came and spilt his feelings. His voice even cracked.”
Having swallowed a mouthful of hot chocolate, I nearly choked. I gripped the handle of my cup “He cried?”
She shook her head. “He controlled himself, but I could see he was sad.”
My heart brimmed over with a mix of emotions as I sucked back the tears welling up in my eyes. “Strong and tough” had become my daily mantra. Some days, it worked. Other days, like now, after hearing all about Ethan and how he missed me, not so much.
“But really, Bel. Why don’t you at least see him? Talk to him?”
I sighed. “I miss him like I would both of my arms. But I still can’t erase from my mind how the blood drained from Ethan’s face after learning that my baby might not be his. I can’t keep seeing him, while all this doubt hangs over us.”
“But what if itishis?”
I exhaled. “Then we will cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose.”
“Why not get a paternity test?” she asked.
“I think I’ll wait until the baby’s born.”
“But he would have missed out being here for you. That’s what’s hurting him the most.”
I smiled sadly. My heart felt like it would burst. “Did he say that?” I bit my lip, which trembled.
“Not in those words, but yeah, Bel. He wants to hold your hand. Help you.”
I released a deep breath. “Let’s leave it for now.”
She touched my hand. “Whatever you do, you know I’m here for you?”
I hugged her. “Thanks.”
Chapter 22
Ethan
Itwasaweekafter the spa opened, and having worked tirelessly, I missed not pumping iron or working up a sweat. I’d developed a passion for visiting Reboot’s gym, which compared to the gyms in the city with their loud, thumping music, and competitive gym junkies, Reboot was a dream.
Drake greeted me as I strolled into the sun-splashed room.
“Hey, how’s Billy?” I felt for the Irish boy whose wrongful accusation at the hands of my mother sat badly with me.
“He’s okay. A little down. He’s got a labouring job back in London. He’d prefer to be here, though.”