Page 7 of Just Like That

His nose was in the air as his small shoulder lifted. “Well, isn’t that how babies get dropped off?”

I glanced over to where a small box was built into the side of the building next to a red button to alert those inside when a newborn baby was surrendered and left by its caretakers.

My brows cinched down. “You’re kind of big. Did you really think you were going to fit inside that thing? Be real.”

The woman stepped forward. “You don’t have to speak to him like that.”

Her temper flared and I hated myself for liking her fire, just a little bit. Still, there was no way on earth I was this kid’s father. I sure as hell would have remembered rolling in the hay with a knockout like her. She wasn’t the type of woman a man would easily forget.

Her chin rose and fury simmered behind her eyes. “Does the name Olive Adams mean anything to you?”

I avoided her gaze. It was far too distracting, and I could feel the eyes of everyone on me. My brain rifled through the filing cabinet of memories and came up blank.

“Should it?” I asked.

Her nostrils flared, and my eyes roamed to her lush, full lips. A flicker of annoyance pinched my chest. I shouldn’t have stared at her mouth.

Whip cleared his throat, cutting through the tension in the air. “Hey, Teddy. Want to see inside the fire station?”

The little boy’s eyes lit up like fireworks. “Can I ride down the pole?”

Whip laughed as he guided the kid toward the open bay door. “Maybe some other time. How about we watch Lee make a fool of himself instead.” He tipped his head toward Lee, who followed him toward the station.

Sylvie slunk backward, likely unsure if she should give us a moment of privacy or stay to watch the dumpster fire in front of her.

The gorgeous redhead in front of me wasfuming.

I looked around, my palms facing upward as I scoffed. “So, what? I’m the asshole here?”

THREE

HAZEL

He was definitely the asshole.

I steadied my breathing. The last thing Teddy needed was me coming unglued and ruining his only shot at getting to know his father.

This was not at all how I’d planned for this reunion to go. Not that I was a planner, per se—more of awing and a prayertype of girl—but whatever scenario that had played out in my mind definitely wasn’tthis.

I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that JP was the same man I’d been ogling on the sidewalk. On the outside, he certainly appeared to be Olive’s typical type—rich, handsome, and a total dick.

What I didn’t expect was that up close, rugged manliness oozed from beneath that expensive tailored suit. He had tousled dark hair, crystal blue-green eyes beneath dark furrowed brows, broad shoulders, and a permanent scowl.

I lifted my chin, determined to be unfazed by his particular brand of handsome. “My name is Hazel. Olive Adams was my sister.”

A flicker of surprise crossed his face—if it was from my use of past tense or subtle confusion, I couldn’t tell. His steely gaze was back before I could decipher it.

“You may not remember her,” I continued, “but she certainly remembered you. You were listed as the father on Teddy’s birth certificate application.”

His intense gaze never left mine. It was as though he was running through every available scenario, but still coming up short.

“Hi. Sorry.” We turned to look as Sylvie threw both thumbs over her left shoulder. “I’m going to go. This really feels like ayou-two-don’t-need-an-audiencetype of conversation.” She backed away with a nervous laugh. “Okay, bye.”

Without waiting for a response, Sylvie swiveled on her heels and started walking down the sidewalk in swift strides.

“Thank you,” I called to her back before sighing and turning toward JP, who had resumed scowling in my direction.

“You saidwas.” His voice was quiet and intense.

---