Page 100 of Return to Us
I clear my throat as the lever pops, letting me know I’m filled up. “The little girl is my daughter, so I guess that’s partially true.”
And also only partially a lie. They both hold very special parts of my heart.
This was a bad idea. The more I fall back in love with Jessica, the more this is going to be agony in the end. But Jack was right, if I were to walk away to protect myself, I’d regret that as well.
The old man puts the handle back in the slot and then tips his hat. “Good luck convincing yourself that’s what you were looking at, son.”
A second later, Melia comes running out of the store with Jessica. “Daddy! Guess what? Miss Jessica bought us snacks!”
Jessica gives a sheepish grin. “Sorry, she was so cute, I couldn’t resist.”
“It’s fine,” I assure her. “But we don’t eat in my truck.”
I hear the snort from Jess and turn. “What?”
“Oh, nothing, different truck, same rules.”
Melia tugs on Jessica’s arm. “He doesn’t letanyoneeat in the truck. No matter how hungry I am.”
Jessica squats down. “I’ll tell you a secret.” She leans in so I can’t hear what she says, but Melia giggles.
“Okay!”
“What did you say to her?” I can’t stop the smile from forming as I look at Jess.
“Nothing.”
“Liar.”
“Okay, nothing that I’m going to tell you.” She sticks out her tongue as she walks with Amelia to the driver’s side before helping buckle my daughter in.
Once my daughter is secure, Jess straightens and looks at me from over the roof.
“You’ll pay for that,” I warn with a hint of amusement.
Jessica shrugs. “Or you will, we’ll have to see.”
We get in the car, smiling at each other as I start to plan my version of payback. She’ll pay, but probably not in the way she’s thinking. Or maybe it is exactly what she’s thinking.
I focus on not letting my mind get too far into that or it will be a very uncomfortable drive. The next few hours pass much the same as the first one did. Amelia finding topics to discuss while I wish I brought ear plugs.
I love my kid. I love her more than anything, but she hasn’t stopped.
“Why don’t we be quiet for a few minutes,” I suggest when we’re only about twenty minutes from the beach house. Surely, she can last that long.
Jessica grins and then turns back to Amelia.
“Do you know how to play the quiet game?” Jess asks her.
“No, what are the rules?”
“They’re simple, we all have to be very quiet, not make any noise, and the person who is quiet the longest, wins.”
Amelia tilts her head to the side, staring at Jess. “What do I win?”
I glance at her through the rearview mirror. “What do you want? I’ll pay anything.”
I realize immediately that this was a bad strategy, but I’m desperate for even five seconds of peace. “I want a monkey.”
