Page 85 of Unwrapping Romance

Walking into the kitchen, I grabbed the wine bottle and poured myself a full glass. Jack walked in and looked at me.

“Drinking already?” he asked.

“Really? You were sitting on the couch with a beer in your hand.”

“I was watching the game. Beer is a necessity while the game is on.”

“I didn’t even know you watched Football,” I said, drinking the wine as fast as possible.

“I do sometimes. What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me, Sierra. I can tell something happened.” He took my glass from my hand and set it down. “Did you and Becca have an argument or something?”

“I wasn’t with Becca,” I blurted out.

“You lied to me?”

“Yeah, Jack, I did. You pissed me off with your attitude, and I needed some space. So, I went back to my apartment.”

“Wow. Okay. You lied to me.”

“I did, and I’m sorry. I went to a church and sat in one of the pews.”

“Why?” His brows furrowed.

“Honestly, I have no idea why. The priest walked over and asked if I was okay. I told him about my mother and how she left me. I told him about you and your father and how we’re two wounded souls who find company in the bitterness and resentment that consumes us from our past. He said that’s no way to live life and told me that God will pave the way if I let him and that I need to find peace and put the past to rest.”

He didn’t say a word and only stared at me.

“After I left the church, I walked down a street filled with shops. I stumbled across a bakery and was going to pick up some treats for Ellie.”

“You didn’t buy anything?” he asked.

“No. A woman asked if she could help me. I looked up at her and froze, Jack.”

“Why?” His brows furrowed.

“I think she was my mother.”

“I’m sorry. What did you just say?”

“Her eyes, her hair, and her voice.” I picked up my wine glass.

“Daddy, are you coming back to the couch?” Ellie walked into the kitchen.

“I’ll be there in a minute, sweetheart. Sierra and I are talking.”

“Okay.” She turned and ran back to the living room.

“You seriously think she was your mother?”

“I don’t know, Jack.” I sighed. “Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me. Maybe I was so wrapped up in confusion after I left that church. But I will tell you this. I did sit in that pew and asked God to pave the way. I don’t even know why. I don’t believe in God. But being in that church stirred up so much shit about my past. I’m being ridiculous. I know.” I shook my head.

“What’s the name of the bakery you were at?”

“Sweet Sensations. I feel like an idiot, and that lady probably thinks I’m a psycho. I’m never stepping foot inside there again.”

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