Page 37 of Six Nights in Paradise

Dalton: I’m so sorry. I just need some time.

What was I supposed to say to that?No, I won’t give you time? I couldn’t do that. I would lose him forever. So, I texted back the only thing I could.

Me: Okay.

***

The rest of that week, I looked and felt like a zombie, just going through the motions without purpose or conscious thought. Work was the only distraction I had, and I was desperate for it. I even asked for more hours even though I already had overtime. I was able to stay late a couple evenings and help the servers while the other hostess was on duty. Mercifully, sleep came easily most nights since I worked myself into the ground every day. It was all I could do to shower before falling into bed.

The following Monday, I received an email from the university stating I could register for classes for fall semester. I found the codes for all the classes I needed and plugged them in, praying they were still open. Thankfully, I was able to get everything I needed. I double-checked to make sure Jason wasn’t teaching any of them before hitting submit.

As the week went by, the fog lifted a bit and so did my spirits. It was my second week without Dalton, and although my heart still longed for him, I managed to function more like a normal human being. My class schedule was set for fall semester and I was doing well at my new job. My first paycheck was amazing because of all the hours I worked, plus I’d started earning tips. I was riding high going into the weekend, but Saturday morning, I crashed and burned.

I was updating the computer screen with available tables when the door opened and someone walked inside. The person was almost to the counter when I looked up. All the air left my lungs in a rush and I froze, staring up into the perfectly made-up face I’d hoped never to see again.

“Kayla,” Gianna crooned in fake excitement. “It’ssonice to see you again. I didn’t know you worked here.”

I shook myself from my state of stunned paralysis. “It’s Taylor,” I corrected gently. She knew that. She’d known me for three years. That was just her way of being a spiteful bitch. She must’ve known by now that Dalton took me on that trip, the one she was supposed to be on. Why she would care about it was beyond me. She was the crazy one who called off their wedding.

“Nice to see you too, Gianna.” I plastered on a fake smile and reached for the menus. The door opened again, bringing with it a humid breeze and the sound of rain pelting the concrete outside. “How many are in your party?”I asked, peering down at the computer screen to check available tables.

When I looked up, I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Dalton was standing next to her, his hand resting on the small of her back. He stiffened as his eyes locked with mine. Our gazes remained fixed on each other, both of us shocked at the sight of the other. I fought back a sob and swallowed hard.

Thiswas why he ended things between us and hadn’t talked to me in nearly two weeks? To get back together withher?

“Four,” Gianna answered, drawing my attention back to her. I blinked up at her, my brain searching for meaning behind the word. “There are four in our party,” she explained, put out by my confusion. “My parents are joining us.” She turned her body into Dalton’s and slid her arm around his, resting her hand possessively on his bicep. If it was possible, he tensed even more. The corner of his eye twitched and the muscles of his jaw flexed.

“Right.” I grabbed four menus. I glanced past them, searching for two more people, but didn’t notice anybody else. “Would you like to be seated, or would you prefer to wait on the rest of your party?” My voice shook as I fought back tears, but I’d be damned if I let either of them see how hurt I was, especially Dalton.

“You can seat us now.” Gianna’s tone was condescending. She’d always been a little aloof around me, but had never been outright hostile. That had obviously changed. Oh, she definitely knew about us. “I’m starving,” she complained dramatically, her hand going to her stomach. The gesture was familiar. I’d seen someone else do that recently but couldn’t place it. My mind must have still been foggy.

“Follow me,” I instructed. I wouldn’t look at Dalton, refused to meet his eye. If I did, I would lose my composure. I was slowly breaking and couldn’t let them see it. I’d be a bigger mess than Melody was that day at the bistro.

My step faltered as I thought of her. The way she’d rubbed her protruding belly…

Oh, God. That was who Gianna reminded me of. The way she touched her stomach, like there was something in there to love and protect. I coughed to cover my sob. We were only a few feet away from their table. I wasn’t going to make it. I was about to lose my shit right there in the middle of the restaurant. I sucked in a few deep breaths, doing everything I could to keep the tears at bay. I could do this. Ihadto do this. I wouldn’t let him see me break.

I calmly set the four menus down on the four place settings and let my focus land on a point past Gianna’s shoulder. “Your server will be with you shortly.” I turned on my heel and walked away.

“Taylor.” I jumped a bit at the sound of Dalton’s voice calling my name, but my step never faltered and never slowed. I headed straight to Caroline’s office.

“Taylor, what’s wrong?” she asked when I stepped up to her desk. “You’re pale as a ghost.” She stood and came around to my side and placed the back of her hand on my forehead.

“I’m not feeling well. I think I need to go home.” It was the truth. I felt my heart cracking open, my insides turning to dust and floating away. There was nothing left of it now.

“Of course. Go,” she urged. “Do you need someone to drive you?”

“No.” There was no way I could wait for someone to take me home. I had to leave now. “I’ll be fine,” I assured her before stiffly walking out the door. I rushed out of there, not daring to glance into the dining area for fear of seeing Dalton or Gianna. Once I was safely inside the confines of my car, the flood gates opened and all my pain came pouring out.

When I first saw him standing there next to her, I couldn’t figure out how he could have gone back. After everything she did to him, how could he choose her? But if she was pregnant with his child, he wouldn’t turn his back on her. He’d try to make it work for the kid’s sake. He would never put someone through what his father put him and his mother through. His biggest fear had always been that he’d turn out like him.

But hell, that didn’t mean he had to jump back into a relationship with Gianna. There were plenty of people who made co-parenting work. Dalton would make a wonderful father, regardless of his relationship with the mother. Yet, he chose her.

I sat there for a long time, tears leaking from my eyes like the incessant rain that poured over my car. My top was soaked, but I wasn’t sure which source the water had come from, my eyes or the sky. I pushed damp tendrils of hair from my face and wiped my nose. It was time to head home and forget I’d ever loved Dalton James.

When I got home, I went straight to bed, burrowing under the covers before crying myself to sleep. That was where Aiden found me hours later when he came home.

“What the hell?” he barked from the doorway. “Why aren’t you at work? Did you quit already?” he questioned angrily, stalking toward my bed. I rolled over and he flinched at my appearance.

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