Page 26 of Ex's Accidental Baby

Just like now. I rip out of his arms.

“Thank you. For helping me. I’m going back inside now.”

“Mere…”

I shake my head, turn on my heel, and head back into the bar, my head spinning and my heart aching.

ChapterEight

LOGAN

I stand outsidefor a long time after Meredith storms out. Having her in my arms had been so brief, but so important. Like her body was imprinted on mine and they fit together perfectly. Like I was able to breathe for the first time since the last time I held her.

God, I miss her.

I can’t even deny it to myself anymore. And it’s not just the sex, although God knows I miss that. It’s her personality, how I used to be able to tell her anything.

Now it’s like we’re a million miles apart at all times. It hurts my heart, and I have to somehow convince her to be friends. Because though I know I lost any chance I might have had with her, I just want her back in my life.

I run my hands through my hair to tame it and head back inside, determined.

The first thing I see is Meredith, sitting on the edge of a table with a guy standing in front of her–Paul, I think, one of my head mechanics.

Meredith’s looking up at him and laughing, nursing a glass of wine, and the look on her face…

My heart clenches in my chest, and every part of me wants to walk up to him and shove him away from her. They’re not even touching, but the scene is driving me crazy.

I’ve always been the jealous type, and with Meredith–well, sometimes, I even went overboard, back when I was young, getting into fights with guys who hit on her.

Well, now I have to fire him.

Javier comes up to me, and I have to force myself remove my eyes from Meredith, looking over at him and trying not to be annoyed.

“I just wanted to say thank you.” Javier smiles, and I feel bad for my irritation. It’s not his fault that Paul is about to be fired and possibly on his ass outside Bennigan’s. “The salary boost has really helped me and my family.”

“You’re married?”

He snorts. “No, but I take care of my mother. She’s not well.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

I remember the last days of my mother’s life, how much time we spent in and out of the hospital.

“I’m not trying to give you a sob story, just wanted to say I appreciate it, boss.”

I smile back at him. “You’re very welcome, Javier. Dean says you’re his hardest worker.”

Javier beams and heads over to Dean, hugging the older man from behind.

Everyone really is like a family here, and I really enjoy my new employees.

Except Paul.

I glance back over at Meredith, and now she’s closer, leaning up and looking up at him with big blue eyes, and I simply cannot take it anymore.

I put myself physically between them, knocking Paul out of the way, and I look down at Meredith.

“You want to go get something to eat?” I ask brightly, and she glares at me, opening her mouth to probably give me the tongue lashing of a lifetime.

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