Page 15 of This I Promise

I fold my arms across my chest and glare at him. “I’m sure you’ve been just fine since you walked out on me. I mean, you do have your wife to comfort you, after all.”

He shakes his head, undeterred. “I left her, Abby.”

My jaw drops with a gasp. “What? Why would you do that?”

“For you,” he confesses, his hand inching toward mine until he takes it in his. “I want to be with you, baby. You and our child. I love you, Abby. Please, forgive me.”

He loves me?I feel like I’ve fallen into some kind of alternate reality. No way this man wants to be with me.

But what if he does?Could I really forgive him for what he did? Not only did he cheat on his wife, but he cheated on me too. And he broke my heart.

On the other hand, heismy little girl’s father. And more than anything, I want a family for her, a real family with a mom and a dad—something I never had. Don’t I owe it to my baby to give her father another chance?

Before I can decide anything, the front door opens again, and to my horror, Evan comes strolling in. His gaze lands on me and Davis, and I see the exact moment when my best friend’s anger takes over as his eyes zero in on where another man is touching me.

“Evan, I… It’s not—” I stammer, trying to find the right words but I can’t seem to think of any.

“I’m here to pick you up. Your shift is over.” He’s talking to me, but he doesn’t take his eyes off Davis, who’s staring back at him with a smug grin. I’d lost track of time and forgot he was picking me up. He’s been driving me to work lately since my due date is approaching and I’ve cut back my hours. “I thought I was taking you to dinner.” There’s a hint of hostility in his tone, and I’m not sure if it’s directed at me or Davis.

“Of course, we’re still going. I was just?—”

“What’s going on with you two?” Davis asks, glaring at Evan. Not that he has any right to be upset right now, or to know what’s going on in my life.

Instead of answering, I pull my hand away and take another step back. Evan moves in, coming to stand next to me and putting his arm around my shoulders.

“You don’t need to worry about Abby anymore,” he snarls. “I’mtaking care of her now.”

Davis takes a menacing step toward Evan, and I’m worried I’ll get caught in the middle. I can’t have them fighting in the store. Jill will kill me if that happens. “What the hell does that mean?You’re taking care of her?”

Evan smirks, and I swallow around a lump in my throat when Davis’s eyes cut to me with an accusatory glare. “Don’t fucking look at her that way,” Evan snaps, and Davis’s hands clench into fists at his sides. “If you have a problem, you take it up with me. I’d be more than happy to beat your ass into the ground.”

“Stop it. Both of you, knock it off. This is myjob.” At least Evan has the good sense to look properly scolded, but not Davis. So I point a stern finger at his chest. “Unless you’re buying something, you need to leave.”

“Fine, but this isn’t over, Abby.” He looks between me and Evan with his lip curled in disgust. “Answer my calls.” He storms out, and my shoulders slump as I blow out a loud breath.

“You okay?” Evan asks, his brow wrinkled with concern.

“I’m fine. Let me just wrap up with Jill, and we can go. Cici should be here any minute to take over for me.”

I turn on my heel to head to the back office. Evan halts my movements when he grabs my wrist. “What was he doing here, Abby?”

I bristle, not liking the accusing tone of his voice. “I don’t know,” I say louder than I intended. “He just showed up, wanting to talk to me. I’m just as surprised as you are.”

Evan scowls. “I don’t like it. I don’t trust the guy, and I don’t want you talking to him.”

Me either, but I also don’t like how my best friend’s bossing me around right now.What is it with these men today?

“Neither of us trusts him. But maybe I should at least hear him out. He’s the baby’s father. If he wants to be involved in her life…”

“So you’ll just let him waltz in and out whenever he feels like it? The guy’s a piece of shit, Abby. He cheated on his wife and then abandoned you after knocking you up.” Evan’s words cut like a knife, and I cross my arms over my chest.

“I’m aware of what he’s done, Evan. I don’t need a reminder.”

“Maybe you do if you’re considering seeing him again,” he mutters.

I place my hands on my belly before taking a calming breath. “I think I owe it to my daughter to talk to him.”

His jaw clenches as he studies me. “Are you really gonna get back together with him? He used you. Don’t be a fucking doormat.”

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