Page 163 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

That means I get to sit and awkwardly wait with him for who knows how long. Rosie and Bertie were headed to the wedding store after class to work on the design for the bridesmaid dresses.

I gather up the little glass jars of food and a spoon, then I pull out a chair and sit in front of Sammy. Almost immediately, I jump up, muttering “bib” to myself. Somehow, I always forget the damn thing.

Chandler watches my every move, wearing a shrewd expression. It causes tension to build in my shoulders, and I have to bite down on my tongue to keep from getting defensive.

“Do you need something?” I ask, giving Sammy his first bite of the mashed bananas.

Chandler shakes his head, pulling out a stool at the island. He’s still too close for comfort, but it’s better than him hovering.

Ignoring his presence, I continue feeding Sammy, talking to him about our day like I always do. When he’s finished, I set him on the floor with his toys. He’s due for a nap soon, but I like to give him a little time to crawl around when we get home.

“He looks like you.”

I turn at the sound of Chandler’s voice. “That’s what Rosie says.”

He looks away at the comment. “Do you really care for her? You’re not just using her?”

I wouldn’t dare tell him about the origins of our romance. If I have my way, we’ll take that truth to our graves.

“I love Rosie more than you can imagine.”

He dips his head in acknowledgment.

I always liked Chandler, but I’m afraid that even if Rosie forgives him for his bullish behavior, I never will. Anyone who hurts Rosie hurts me tenfold. Her pain is my pain, and it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced.

I sit on the floor with Sammy, stacking colored blocks that he knocks over, until his eyes are heavy.

“I’m going to get this one down for a nap. You can stay here.”

In other words,Don’t even fucking think of trying to snoop around my house.

He nods. “Have you heard from Rosie?”

With a shake of my head, I stride to the kitchen so I can make a bottle to take up with me. “No, she’s busy, and I’m secure enough to let her do her thing without expecting her to check in with me every five minutes.”

His lips flatten. “You don’t like me very much, do you?”

Hands on the counter, I stare him down. “I used to like you. I even respected you. But you made my wife cry. Youhurther when she didn’t deserve it. So, no, I don’t like you, and I’m not sure I ever will again.”

Picking up Sammy, I leave him behind to chew on that.

Sammy struggles to stay awake while I change his diaper and put him in clean pajamas for his nap. Once I’ve laid him in the crib, I rub his tummy until his eyes close and stay that way.

With a flick of the knob on the sound machine, I ease out of the room and shut the door.

Escaping into my room, I send a text to Rosie to warn her that her dad is here. Maybe it’s shitty of me to rat him out, but it would be even crappier to not give her a heads-up before she gets home.

My phone rings an instant later, and a picture of Rosie with Sammy illuminates the screen.

“Hello?” I answer, pacing the bedroom.

“Mydadis there?”

“Yep. He’s downstairs. I just put Sammy down for a nap.”

She’s quiet for a moment. “I can’t believe he just showed up.”

My stomach churns with nerves. “If you don’t want to see him, I can send him away.”

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