Lib Novel Page 144
“Nonsense. I have waited a long time to meet the young woman who stole my son’s heart.”
When my mom turns her back to me, Abigail says, “It will hurt her knowing you don’t possess a heart.”
“Yes, probably because I left it with you.”
She clamps her mouth shut, and my dad introduces himself next. He nods in my direction, and I beg him with my eyes to stop embarrassing me by casting those approving glances my way.
Taking her hand, we go outside until the food is ready. Reaching the dock, she says, “I like them. You should be grateful to have parents who care this deeply.”
“They like you too.” I open my mouth to say something more, knowing her family is a sensitive issue.
“I really thought Jasmine was yours.”
“I wanted to see your reaction.”
“Happy now? Because I’m sure your reaction would’ve been far worse if the roles were reversed.”
“That’s never going to happen. I said I’m going to be the father of your children. No one fucking else.”
He looks at me with so much determination, making me weak in my knees. He would have been the father of my child, but if I let my mind linger too much in that dark place, I might fall apart.
I force my tears back, gathering strength from our eyes locked on each other.
You’d think that we don’t share the history we do, which is full of hurt, secrets, and impossibilities—a forbidden love.
“You know I’m right there.” He points at my heart, grinning.
“Sure.” I tell the truth, even if my sarcastic tone implies the opposite.
He cocks his head. “I’m not the one sneaking around to catch me with my supposedly baby mama.”
I cover my face with my hands. Whatever I say, it would just give him more ammunition.
His parents come outside, and his father is carrying Jasmine, who has her head on his chest. His mother looks at us with a bright smile and says, “Lunch is ready.”
Digging into the pasta carbonara, I almost choke on it when his father asks, “When is the suspension lifted again?”
“Tomorrow,” Dane says.
I whip my head to him. “What happened?”
“I didn’t listen to my technical director.”
Not good. We’re not good for each other. Just leave already. Stay away like you said you would a million times before.
I dab at the corners of my mouth with the napkin. “Thank you. It was delicious.” Then I crouch to Jasmine and hug her.
“Are you coming tomorrow too? We’re leaving soon.”
She pouts, and her mother must see my face turn ashen.
“Jasmine, baby, maybe Abigail’s busy.”
“Well, are you?”
Elena looks at me apologetically, and I say, “I’ll come by tomorrow.”
Jasmine jumps up and down, her two cute pigtails bouncing from the movement, and I wave at his father. When his mother hugs me, she says, “I have never seen him this relaxed. You’re the first girl he’s introduced us to.”