The Truest Thing - Hart's Boardwalk
She needed actions.
And they were having a baby together, which meant he had a legitimate excuse to monopolize her time.
In fact, Jack had about seven months.
Seven months to prove through action that he could deserve her. That he loved her beyond reason or doubt. That he would lay down his life for her and his kid.
That he wasn’t going anywhere.
No more prioritizing his family over her. She was right. He’d done what he could for them. Now Emery and the baby growing in her belly were his family.
“Okay.”
Her wet eyes flew to his in shock. “Okay?”
She’d been expecting a fight.
He wouldn’t do that.
His fight for her heart would be the stealthy kind.
“This isn’t about me or what I want. This is about you and our kid.” He sighed heavily. “You don’t want to be in a relationship, then fine. But I will be involved like any father would be. I’m talking doctor’s appointments, picking out shit for the nursery, answering my cell at two in the morning because you can’t sleep or you have a craving for pickles and mint chocolate chip ice cream.”
She opened her mouth, looking ready to protest.
He cut her off. “I mean it, Em. This is my kid too. I want to be there for all of that.”
Jack waited anxiously for her to agree. She had to agree.
Finally, she nodded. “Okay.”
He tried not to look too relieved. “Can I get you anything now?”
“No, I’m fine. I … uh … I’m tired, actually.”
“Then I’ll leave you be. But I’ll be back, Em. I’m not going anywhere.”
28
Emery
It came as no surprise that Iris was the first person at my door the next day. The store was closed on Sundays, so I thankfully didn’t have to face the gossips just yet. I had missed calls from my friends, which I intended to return.
Especially when I saw Iris on my porch.
I knew the girls (excluding Bailey who was probably already at the airport on the way to her honeymoon) would be worried enough to descend on my house in Iris’s wake.
“You okay?” Iris demanded as she strode into the house.
“Yes.”
“The sickness at my place?”
I nodded sheepishly.
Iris sighed.
“Do you want tea?”
She shook her head and crossed her arms. I gestured for her to sit but she stayed standing. “So … how long has this thing between you and Jack been going on?”
I felt like the real answer was nine years. But when I thought back, this thing really started just before Devlin blackmailed him. “About five years.”
Iris’s eyes widened. “Holy … what?”
I sighed and sat. “Can you sit? I don’t want to crane my neck looking up at you the whole time.”
“Pregnancy comes with an attitude, huh?” Iris teased, sitting on the sectional.
“Oh, you of all people know there is an attitude buried under the blushing,” I huffed. “I think the pregnancy is just making me care less.” That wasn’t entirely true. I still cared. I was anxious about becoming gossip fodder for the Hartwell masses.
“Five years, Emery?” Iris insisted.
“On and off.” I shrugged. “Mostly off. I’d decided it was definitely off last summer and then everything happened with his father and I realized Jack’s reasons for staying away from me were legitimate and then we slept together and he left me to go deal with his family, which is fine but not right after you sleep with someone!” My rambling anger echoed around my house. It surprised me.
“Em?”
I shook myself out of my hurt. Or I tried to. “He’s not right for me is the conclusion.”
“Does he want to be right for you?”
An ache, deep and hot and painful, seared my chest. “He … wanted us to be a family for the baby, but I said no. And he was fine with that.”
Completely fine.
Bastard.
I knew it was contrary of me, but I was mad at him for not even putting up a fight. It proved I was right about him. Jack Devlin was not the one. The one would fight. He would fight for me.
“Emery?”
My pain must’ve shown in my eyes because Iris frowned with concern. “We’ll all take care of you. And one day, you’ll find someone. The right someone.”
“Oh yes.” I waved away the thought because I couldn’t even think of romance right now. “But you don’t have to worry about me, Iris. While Jack and I aren’t going to pursue a relationship, he is very insistent on being a part of our baby’s life and the entire pregnancy.”
Iris harrumphed. “Well, we’re still here if you need us.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Now, outside of Jack, how are you feeling about becoming a mom?”
Iris chatted for over an hour, taking me up on that offer for tea. When she got up to leave, I clasped her hand in mine before she could open the door.
“I know you’re not much for sentimentality, Iris,” I teased. “But I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for giving me a safe place to turn to the moment I got here. I think of you as family. I hope you know that.”