Friends to Lovers (Heart of Hope 6)

She swallowed and then looked at me. For a moment, I thought I might get the truth. But then she blinked and shrugged. “I told you. I was concerned to add this to your already stressful life.”

I stepped up to her, watching as her green eyes flared in surprise. “Bullshit.”

To her credit, she didn’t look away.

“You kept something important from me. Something I had

a right to know,” I said.

“We’re all full of secrets, Cy.”

What the fuck did that mean?

She managed a smile. “I like your mom a lot. I hope I can see her again soon. I should go pack so I’m ready to go at four.”

She started to step around me, but I couldn’t let her go for some reason. I reached out and took her arm.

“I’m going to be an involved father,” I said, not knowing why. I suppose it was because I knew I had to say something since I’d stopped her. But I couldn’t very well tell her that despite my anger, I still wanted her so fucking bad.

This time her smile was more genuine. “I know.” But then it morphed into something that looked like an accusation. “I’m sure Lora will be a great step-mom too.” She tugged her arm free and left me standing in the kitchen with my jaw hanging open. Fuck. I still hadn’t told her about me and Lora.

I started after her, but then my phone rang. Fuck again. I looked at the caller ID. Jude. It was Sunday. Why was he calling?

“Jude.”

“Hey man, sorry to interrupt but April says I have to pick up Petal at the airport, but she couldn’t remember the flight information.” So why not call Petal, I thought. I gave him the information.

“Is the visit going okay?”

“Great. My mom loves her.”

“Well, yeah. Who doesn’t love Petal, right?”

I frowned wondering if his words were meant to have more meaning. He and I still hadn’t talked about what happened with me and Petal. Then again, as long I was doing my part to take care of her and the baby, he probably didn’t want the details. I knew I wouldn’t.

“Yeah.”

There was a pause. “Listen, buddy, April said that you and Petal were on the downlow because you were worried about how we might take it if things went wrong. I’m not built like that man. You should know that. Will I kick your ass if you hurt Petal? Yes. But relationships come and go, and I’m not going to cause you grief because you love someone that’s close to us.”

“We’re just friends,” I said by rote.

“Ah…well…I just wanted you to know. I’m fine with you and Petal. You both deserve to be happy.”

“You’ve gotten sappy with marriage,” I said.

He laughed. “Yeah, well, sappy is nice.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ve gotta run. I’ll let Petal know you’re the one picking her up.”

“Thanks man.”

Later that afternoon, I drove Petal back to the airport. The car was quiet, yet the need to talk hung heavy in the air. I couldn’t get myself to say the words. Hell, I didn’t know what words to say.

The airport was just in sight, when Petal asked, “How come you want me to think you and Lora are engaged?”

Fuck. I’d forgotten about that again. “I don’t.”

She glanced at me and then back out the window. She didn’t challenge me or ask me about it. She was withdrawing. All of a sudden, the car felt colder. Sadder.