Page 46 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby

“That’s a beautiful name. So, can I ask what you and Naomi are to each other now?”

Her question is light and unassuming, but with the tension in her jaw, I can tell it bothers her.

“Nothing but friends. I mean, barely. I haven’t seen her in years. I ran into her at the store with Janice and we exchanged contacts. She wants to see Maddie and that’s something I wanted to talk about with you first. To see if you were okay with it.”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay with it?”

Her tone is still as light as before, but anyone with eyes can see that she isn’t pleased by this.

“I’m asking because you are her godmother,” I say immediately. Disappointment flashes across Allison’s face. I hesitate, uncertain. Her vulnerable expression lingers with me, so I push my nerves aside and close my eyes. “And also because if the case was reversed, I would like to know if I would be seeing your ex, so I could decide if I would even want to be there.”

Just the thought of having to meet her ex in this same situation is enough to have my blood boiling already, and if her breathing is any indication, Allie is feeling the same way.

“Jacob…”

“I know what it sounds like, but trust me, it’s just a visit to see Maddie. She knew Emily for a while so that’s where this is coming from.”

She doesn’t give me a comprehensive answer, settling for a short nod, and it’s all the answer I’m going to get.

Chapter seventeen

ALLISON

The doorbell signals someone’s arrival and my money is on it being Jacob’s friends. I am almost done preparing our dinner and all that’s left is the guests to have it with. Our Thanksgiving is set to be wonderful if our preparations are anything to go by.

I had done most of the cooking, with a lot of help from Jacob, who wouldn’t sit still if I was busy. He’s been eager to help in any way he can, so I asked him to set up the table.

“Don’t move.” Jacob stands to get the door, sternly telling Maddie to remain in her seat and not try her luck at wandering like she is sure to do if left unattended.

Immediately he walks out of the door and she makes her first attempt at escape, but she freezes when I poke my head out of the doorway and level a flat stare at her.

Good girl.I think, as she settles back in.

The thought of our guests at the door reminds me of the next guest that will be coming the following week.

Naomi.

I don’t know how likely it is that they will get back together, and I don’t even know how I am supposed to feel about it either. Spending my time hoping that he doesn’t decide to pick her over me is a complete waste of time, and that is something I won’t let myself do.

It is up to him to decide. I won’t force anything,I tell myself.

Then a chorus of voices littered with jokes and slangs I don’t understand comes closer as they approach.

They could be brothers.

My first thought as I see them is that they might as well be siblings. Although none of their features are particularly similar, there’s something about them all that feels the same.

I can’t decide if it's the rhythm of their steps, or their mannerisms, but it is clear that every one of their trio is in sync with each other.

“Allison, here is Micky,” Jacob points at the man with shaggy brown hair and eyes to match, “and this is Pete. Our honored guests for Thanksgiving.”

“Very nice to meet you, Allison, we’ve heard only wonderful things about you.” His voice is as deep as Jacob’s, and after hearing him speak in person, I finally realize what they all have in common. It is that almost unnatural stillness they all possess; they are all halfway between being human or feline.

Pete stretches out a hand for a firm handshake and I oblige. His straight black hair and dark eyes give him a bit of an ethnic look that enhances his smile when it finally comes.

“Very nice to meet you, Pete. And you too, Micky. Although Jacob kept saying the most horrible things about you.”

Micky is very interested in this and cocks his head in my direction. “Pray tell.”

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