Page 81 of A Little Twist
“We did nothing but discuss it for nine months.” Alex’s voice is tense, but he sounds more concerned than angry. “The entire time you were pregnant, it wasn’t what you wanted.”
“It was an accident.” Jessica’s tone is penitent. “I had a plan, and having a baby wasn’t part of it.”
“And now it is?”
“That was five years ago. Now I look around, and I see my job going away. I see A.I. coming in and drones and everything changing, and I realize the one thing that’s constant is family.”
They’re quiet, and I start to take a step. I don’t want to eavesdrop on their conversation, but there’s no way for me to get from here to the door to the garage without bursting in on them.
“You said you didn’t want domesticity. You never wanted to settle down, and it was fine.” Alex exhales heavily. “It’s still fine. We’re fine.”
“Well, maybe I’m not fine.” Her voice rises slightly. “Maybe it’s time for me to stop being selfish.”
“I don’t think it’s selfish to pursue your dream. I think it’s more selfish to come back, then decide it’s not what you really want and leave again.”
Movement fills the silence, and my throat tightens when I realize she’s gotten closer to him. “I won’t leave you again, Alex. I want to try.”
It’s like a kick to the stomach. My eyes heat, and I put my hand over my mouth to silence my hiccuped breath. Forcing myself to step into the room, I do my best to smile, to appear calm, neutral, and not devastated.
“I’m sorry.” I clear my throat hard, not making eye contact. “Pinky’s asleep. I’m just headed out to the garage, to my room.” I point to the door as I cross the space.
“Thank you, Cass.” Alex’s voice is sharp, which hurts.
Jessica comes to me and takes my hand. “Thank you so much for taking care of my daughter. I hope you’ll help me get to know her now that I’m back.”
“Of course,” I nod, blinking up to her eyes before turning quickly.
I need to get out of here. I’m not strong enough for this.
Pushing through the door, I jog up the stairs, not stopping until I burst through my door. The window unit is on, so no one will hear the quiet whimpers huffing in my chest as I fight against crying.
I have no right to cry. Pinky is her child, and she deserves to know her daughter. It’s the best thing for Pinky, and I’ll do what I can to help her know her mother.
Taking off my clothes, I go through the motions of getting ready for bed. Pain pulses through my chest with every heartbeat, but I’m not doing this.
I’m an adult. Playtime is over.
Still, when I curl under the blankets in my bed, I do my best to stay awake, waiting to see if he’ll come to me.
Closing my eyes, I think the words as hard as I can,Come to me… come to me… as I close my eyes, tucking my hand wearing his ring under my chin.
But I fall asleep alone, and no one comes.
CHAPTER23
ALEX
“Jessica’s in town.” I’m standing in my brother’s office, tension radiating through my shoulders.
I spent the better part of the night googling what to do when an estranged parent returns. I read several articles and even a how-to, but none of them were what I needed. What I need is something to tell me if this woman is going to leave in a week, right after we tell Pinky she’s her mother.
Predicting female behavior has never been my strong suit, and by 7:00 a.m., I couldn’t stay in the house any longer. I went out to the garage, hesitating as I glanced up to where Cass would be sleeping.
Deciding I couldn’t drag her into this until I had a plan, I headed to town.
“What the hell?” Aiden’s blue eyes flash, and I appreciate his grumpy response. “What does she want? Money?”
Aiden’s solid as a rock, and he dealt with his own personal crises after his wife died, then finding out she’d cheated. It shook him to the core, but it gave us something in common. Neither of us has been very interested in starting relationships.