Page 83 of Unwrapping Romance

“I’m sorry, buddy.” He hooked his arm around me. “I know it must be hard. What did Sierra say?”

“He told her to get therapy, too. The thing is, Gabriela had no idea that he had left me at school during the holidays, and when she asked him, he wouldn’t answer her. I hope she sees him for the monster he really is.”

“Listen. Why don’t you give Stella Bradshaw a call? She and Miles are our friends. I know she’s a child psychologist, but you can talk to her, and she’ll listen.”

“No. The only people who know about my past are you and Sierra. I don’t need anyone else knowing.”

We stood up from the bench and walked out of the park.

“Thanks for meeting me.” I gave him a light hug.

“No problem, my friend. Think about what I said. I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.”

When I arrived home, Sierra and Ellie were playing with Ellie’s kitchen set.

“There you are.” Sierra jumped up from the floor.

“Hi, Daddy.” Ellie turned and smiled at me.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

“Where were you?” Sierra asked.

“I went for a walk.” I headed up the stairs, and she followed. I wasn’t in the mood for her.

“Why didn’t you answer my call?”

“Sierra, back the fuck off. I went for a damn walk because I wanted to be alone,” I spoke authoritatively.

“Sure, okay. I’ll back the fuck off and leave you alone.” She stormed out of the bedroom.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Sierra

He was hurting, and it was best I stayed away from him. But he didn’t have the right to speak to me the way he did. I went to my bedroom and threw on a pair of leggings and a long sweater. After doing my hair and makeup, I put on my coat and boots.

“Where are you going?” Jack asked.

“I’m meeting Becca, so you’ll have to stay and watch Ellie.”

“When will you be back?”

“I don’t know. Later.”

I grabbed my purse and walked out of the house.

When I was far enough down the street, I hailed a cab to my apartment. Stepping inside, I threw myself down on the couch. The same couch that had always been there for me during troubled times. As much as I loved staying at Jack’s, it felt good to be in the comfort of my own tiny space.

I thought about how Jack told his father we weren’t involved last night. Did he mean it? Or did he just think it wasn’t any of his father’s business? I didn’t know where we stood, and it bothered me. I was so in love with that man that I couldn’t see straight. I never thought I wanted kids, but being withEllie made me see things differently. When I thought about my future, I saw Jack and Ellie in it. That was a huge deal because I never saw my future with anyone.

I put on my coat and walked down the street to a church. Opening the door, I stepped inside and sat in one of the pews. I hadn’t been inside a church since I was five years old. Tears streamed down my face as the memories of that night came flooding back as I sat there staring at the altar. I could hear the music and the choir singing in my head as people packed inside one by one. I could still smell my mother's perfume and remembered the red dress she wore that night.

“Hello, there. Is everything okay?” The priest walked over.

“I wish I could say yes, Father.” I wiped the tears from my eyes.

“Would you like to talk about it?” He sat beside me.

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