“No thanks, man. I’m not snooping on her.”
Or not much anyway. Leo’s got a talent for winning people over, and I’ve already asked him to sweet-talk Jodie’s address out of Amy.
If she won’t tell me what’s going on, I’ll got to her house and find out.
10
JODIE
I’ve been agitated all day since my run in with Kieren. Pushing him away felt like the right thing to do, but my stomach’s been in knots and my chest feels heavy.
Layla must have sensed my agitation because it took a long time for her to settle. I’ve finally got her down when the doorbell goes.
Layla’s eyes flick open, and she holds out a tubby fist.
“Who the hell comes calling during bedtime?” I mutter to myself. Obviously, someone who doesn’t have kids.
I pat her blanket down soothingly.
“I’ll just see who that is, sweetie. You get some sleep.”
I leave her gurgling to herself as I sneak quickly across the living room to the front door, hoping she can lull herself to sleep.
If she doesn’t get to sleep, I’m going to murder whoever’s on the other side of this door.
Pulling the door open a crack, my heart leaps into my throat when I see Kieren.
Despite myself, I feel a surge of warmth at his persistence. This guy doesn’t give up. Then I remember it’s because he doesn’t know about Layla. It’s easy to be persistent when you don’t know there’s a baby involved.
I step out onto the doorstep and pull the door closed behind me.
“How did you know where I live?”
Him turning up here is a bad idea. I only hope that Layla has taken herself off to sleep. I’m not ready to explain to him about her yet. I know that no matter what happens between us, he has a right to know about his daughter, but that will happen when I’m ready, when I can control my feelings around him. And that is definitely not tonight.
He indicates the parking lot. “It was easy to spot your vintage car.”
I can’t help my smile. Calling Bertha vintage is a polite way of saying she’d too old to be on the road.
Kieren must see my look as an invitation because he pulls a bunch of flowers from behind his back.
“Peace offering.”
They’re deep purple tulips, my favorite type of flower, and I feel my resolve slipping.
Kieren looks so contrite standing on the doorstep. How easy it would be to invite him in, to let him into my heart.
But that only leads to pain.
I hesitate, not sure if I should take the flowers or not. He’ll read too much into it if I do. There’s a loud wail from inside, the distinctive cry of a baby. My eyes dart to Kieren, and I catch the look as his eyes widen.
The wail turns to a steady cry, and I watch his reaction as realization sets in.
“You have a baby?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
For once, he’s too stunned to speak. “Is that why you’ve been brushing me off?”