Page 74 of Jack

No one will want a kid with red hair and pale skin. My own mother always made nasty comments about my appearance, because her and my sister are blonde with blue eyes. I took the half Irish blood that my father has in his veins.

Pulling in a deep breath, I dry my face and leave the stall. The woman who was frowning at me as I passed is leaning against the wall looking at me with concern on her face.

“Are you okay, honey?”

I sniffle and step forward, forcing a smile on my face.

“Yeah, just feeling a little emotional. I do that sometimes,” I explain.

Washing my hands, even though I did not use the toilet, I feel her gaze on me, and I shift nervously the longer she looks at me.

“Are you sure? You look like you are ready to puke. Could you be pregnant?”

I gasp, and my gaze snaps to hers.

“No, I am not pregnant.” Tears well up again and I turn from her, leaning my hands on the basin, and dropping my head.

“Listen, honey, something is clearly bothering you; are you here with anyone? Do you need me to go and get them?”

I clear my throat and yet again dry my face, then turn to face her.

“I am here with my boyfriend and his son. It is our first day out together and I got a little overwhelmed, but I am okay. I appreciate you checking on me, but I am okay.”

Walking past her, she touches my arm and offers me a warm smile.

“I have been where you are right now. I met my husband, and he already had two children by his ex-wife. It is very overwhelming but remember that he would not let you around his son if he didn’t think you were worth it. Unless he is a shitty father.”

Shaking my head, I reply, “No, he is a great father. His son is his world. Just, this is new between us, and I just blurted out a stupid question and I got spooked.”

“Talk to him. Communication is the way forward.”

“Thank you.” We walk out of the restroom together and I see Jack leaning against the wall with Dominic at his side, both looking at me with concerned looks.

“That him?” the woman asks, and I nod in reply to her question. “Oh, he is a hot one, isn’t he?” I giggle when she winks at me. “Speak to him.”

With that, she walks over to a man with three children sitting next to him on a bench. She looks over her shoulder at me, and sees my mouth hanging open and grins, like she knows that she has a hot one herself.

“Baby.”

I turn to look at Jack before walking toward him. The look of concern on his face is because of me and I hate it.

“I’m sorry, Jack. It was a silly question and the wrong timing.” Stepping closer to him, I rest my hands on his chest as his settle on my hips. “Can we forget what I said and just enjoy the rest of the day?” I plead.

He must see the worry on my face, because he does, kissing my lips softly, before leaning in further until his lips brush my ear.

“I will let it go for now, but we are returning to this conversation later.”

With a slight nod, I plaster a smile on my face and pull Dominic to his feet.

“Come on, let’s go and get something to eat. I am starving, and I have no doubt that you and your dad are too. Growing boy that you are.” I smile down at him.

“I saw a place that was selling corn dogs, but they had different toppings on them, can we try there?”

“Sounds like a plan. What do you say, Daddy?” I look at Jack, whose eyes darken.

I realize what I said, and it must have held a different meaning for him. He steps closer, his hand touching my hip, as he smiles down at his son.

“Go join the line, we will catch up.”

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