Page 113 of Reclaiming Adelaide

Itwashard.

I’d never get to pick up the phone and call my mother for advice on the nasty morning sickness plaguing me or the anxiety that had doubled since I’d found out. But Jake made it easier. In fact, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him some days.

The way he walked or sat in a chair with his broad shoulders squared and intimidating. How he’d hang his pants low on his hips, teasing me with that V-shaped muscle that disappeared into his waistband, or even the way he moved the mouse on his computer. I’d become infatuated with him.

But mostly, it was the way he held me when I wept.

I sat up and used the tissue to wipe my nose. “Thank you.”

Becca tilted her head.

“For sticking up for me. I wouldn’t have been able to talk sense into her.”

“There’s no talking to someone who thinks grief should have a uniform reaction. You did nothing wrong,” Jake said. “Except run away from me when I told you to stop.”

A small smile spread across my lips. The limo lurched forward. “Where are we going?”

“We’ll drop Becca back off at Alek’s, and then I’ll take you home.”

“Are you staying?”

He nodded. “I’m not going anywhere, sweets.” He gripped my hand, resting in my lap, and pulled it to his.

I crossed my legs at the ankles, the heels a hindrance but comfortable, and leaned against his hard shoulder. I couldn’t wait to get this dress off, sit in normal clothes, eat normal food, and watch TV.

Do normal things on this abnormal day.

The minutes ticked on like hours until we arrived at a modern two-story home with some fake grass in the front and a bright red door with a wreath hanging in the center.

“This is their home?”

“Yeah, it’s new. He had everything moved in while she was in the hospital with the baby,” Becca said. “It’s nice. You should come see.”

I sat forward, ready to get out, but faltered.

“Just a peek.”

Becca moved to the edge of her bench seat with a smile and waited for the driver to open the door before sliding.

“Why is she staying with them?” I leaned in and whispered.

“It’s safer than her apartment right now. And Liz enjoys having Becca around.”

I followed Becca to the front door and walked in with Jake behind me, his hand placed low on my back.

“We’re back.”

A distant wailing baby screamed in one of the back rooms as muffled spoken words drifted through the tall foyer, which opened up into a living room.

“We? Who’swe?“ Alek asked.

The intimidating, hulking man with a smoking skull tattooed into the back of his hand stepped out of a back room with a half-naked baby whose arms flailed in the air, followed by a woman fixing the top of her shirt strap.

“Hey,” Jake said.

“I thought—“

“We came to see the baby,” Jake said through clenched teeth.

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