Page 45 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby

“That is my choice...”

“But not a choice I’m going to entertain.” I declare, cutting her off again before she can finish. “I don’t want you fighting for me. It’s just not worth it... so many things have changed.”

“I’m here now, and I’m not giving up.”

I let out a sigh of complete exasperation because I don’t know how to get through to her. I also can’t be harsh with her because it is really none of her fault. I was the prick who didn’t want to have a family with her; the only reason we ended things.

“You didn’t even know I was back home before yesterday, Naomi.”

“That’s not my fault. That’s all on you because I didn’t have a clue about how to call or see you.”

“How’s this? You can come over eventually and spend time with Maddie, and that’s all I can offer right now. Just remember, it’s only to see Maddie.”

“I’ll take that.”

The ‘for now’ is unspoken but I can hear it clearly. “Goodbye, Naomi.”

“Goodbye, Jake. See you then.” She turns, presumably going to find Janice.

I drag my hand down my face in exhaustion, ready for the day to come to an end right now. I finish shopping as quickly as I can, thankfully not running into Janice or Naomi again.

Who knew dealing with a perfectly reasonable ex could still be this exhausting?I wonder, feeling sorry for all the poor souls out there who have it much harder than I do.

When I make it home, Allison is still making her lists. But Maddie is freshly bathed and seems happily fed, so I know better than to joke that she “hasn’t moved.”

She helps me unload the groceries, eyeing me with a concerned look.

“Alright,” she says with a sigh when the last of the food is put away. She turns to me with her hands on her hips. “Out with it?”

“Out with what?” I try.

She shakes her head. “What happened?”

I open my mouth to dismiss this, but I know where that leads—Allison, up all night over thinking, and me feeling damn guilty over something stupid.

So I sigh and lean against the fridge, crossing my arms. “I ran into someone. An old friend.”

“I didn’t think you had any friends that weren’t in the navy.”

“Touché.”

“No, really. I didn’t know you had anyone here that you knew from before. We have been living together for a while now, I would have seen them already.”

She has a good point, and I have to give it to her. “True. She is Janice’s cousin. You remember Janice, the women I met on my run?”

Her rolling eyes are enough to answer.

“Yeah, very mature,” I say, but then continue, “Anyway, she’s someone I know from way back, before my last couple of missions, and I ran into her and Janice.” I debate telling her the rest of it. On the one hand, there is really no need for her toknow exactly what Naomi was to me, but on the other, I wouldn’t like to be blindsided with information like this, so I won’t do the same to her.

“Was it… a bad interaction?” She frowns, clearly confused.

I sigh, giving in.

“We used to be involved. I mean, we used to date and things were pretty serious for a while before I had to leave.” I decided to leave out the marriage plans for now, which never panned out.

“Okay. Does this person have a name?”

“Naomi.”

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