The pounding in my head was like the loudest drumbeat. “It’s not just about you.”
His nostrils flared, and Jenner took a step back, letting me go. “My daughter isn’t about me? You’ve had time to get to know her, but I just met her. And the only reason was because you kept her from me.”
The grimace that curled his lips turned into something different—confusion or surprise crept across his face. “Is there someone else? Does she think someone else is her father?” Jenner glanced down the hallway and pointed. “Perhaps that guy you’re having lunch with?”
“No, Jenner, that’s not the reason.”
I moved forward, wanting his touch again, but he stepped back, holding up his hands.
“It doesn’t matter. Whatever the reason, it’s not enough. You left, and you kept my child from me. That’s all that matters. Keep telling your lies to everyone you meet, but just know I won’t fall for them anymore.”
That was when he left. He walked down the hall and out of sight. My heart withered, with hope disappearing.
He ran away from Jenni at the hospital, and I was angry at him. How could he walk away from such a lovely little girl? But watching him run from me, I wasn’t angry. I understood. He held up a picture of what I had done, and I shrank in horror at the sight.
I was to blame for his pain.
Letting out a sigh, I went into the bathroom to throw some water on my face. Which, I realized afterward, was a mistake. Now my makeup was smeared, and it looked like I had two black eyes.
Great. The perfect end to a lousy day.
Opening the door to the restroom, I ran straight into a tall man with a very strong chest. It was like smacking into a brick wall.
When I looked up, I let out a yelp.
“Hello, Lola. Long time no see,” Eric said with a smile on his face.
Chapter 11
Jenner
I inhaled the bitter air and narrowed my eyes against the crisp wind as I stood outside the front door of the Hudson Estates’ main house and debated whether I should knock. Or get back in my rental car and leave.
Maybe Lola had the right idea—running away felt like a wonderful solution. Any moment my sister would show up. Eric could find out about my previous relationship with his sister. Or, worst of all, I could witness Lola with another man.
When I saw her a few hours ago at Castle Italiano, I wanted to hold her like I used to. It took everything in me not to wrap my arms around her and press my lips to hers with the way she smelled—like a flowering field in the latter days of spring.
That was it. I was leaving. The war being fought in my heart was too much. I feared it might bleed too much for me to carry on before this was through.
I had left the restaurant, making up an excuse to Hamish that I had a meeting. But Eric texted me an hour ago to come over. I hope he hadn’t seen me with Lola.
I turned but froze when the door swung open. Eric was standing there with an expectant look on his face. Perhaps he had been standing right there the whole time.
“Waiting for someone?” he asked, and a shiver ran up my spine.
“No, not at all. Just enjoying the beautiful weather.”
“It’s below freezing with twelve-mile-per-hour winds. You like that?”
No.
“Yes. I love the cold.” I clenched my jaw as my teeth chattered.
“It’s warm inside, unless you’d rather hang out in the cold longer.” He stood back, and when I didn’t move, Eric started to close the door.
A large gust whipped past me, and it felt like razor-sharp pins sliding across my face.
“No, I’ve had enough. I’ll come inside.”