Page 61 of Treacherous
Mae searched for months, trying to find the father of her child, but apparently, there are a lot of Ethan’s in the world. Even more when you don’t have a last name to narrow the search.
Jaz and I tried to convince Mae that she has no reason to be guilty, but that didn’t help. Mae never seems to regret her one-night stand, though, as it gave her Daisy who she would die for.
I return Daisy to the ground, moving across the room to hug Mae. “How are you doing?” I ask.
Mae smiles. “I’m good. I don’t want to jinx it, but the toddler stage has been a breeze,”
I laugh, my eyes flicking to Daisy, who has resumed her colouring in, this time with Cami. She has always been reserved, preferring silence over obnoxious noise.
I assume Daisy received this trait from her father, because Mae is one of the most outgoing people I know. She is sunshine through and through, helping anyone, no matter the situation.
The doorbell chimes, drawing my attention. Jaz and Theo enter Books and Brews, hands intertwined, while Jayden follows behind them. The past month, I’ve noticed more about Jayden, especially the little things that make him tick. I fucking hate it. I was meant to hate him.
Sex was meant to be a stress and tension reliever, yet it has turned into something else. I refuse to acknowledge it most of the time, hoping I don’t fall like all those times before.
Daisy runs over to Jayden, her childish giggles filling the shop. Jayden has always been her favourite because he lets her colour in his tattoos. I remember him coming to hockey training inour senior year of high school with his arm coloured pink and purple.
Daisy asks Jayden to join her tea party, though she didn’t ask, just dragged him over to her pink table and told him wear to sit. I stare at the two of them, my ovaries screaming as Jayden lets Daisy paint his nails.
I make my way over to Jaz and Theo, who are holding takeaway coffees that Mae made for them.
“Alright, Princess. We have a date to get to.”
Jaz smiles, her entire face glowing.
Cami is the next to leave, yelling as she sprints out the door. “I’ve got to go too.”
I have no clue where my sister is going, but she leaves the four of us in the shop. Mae sighs, her eyes wandering over to Daisy, who is pouring water into Jayden’s teacup. I hold back a laugh but can’t stop my lips curving into a smile.
“I’ve got to message my babysitter and see if she is available tonight,” Mae grumbles.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“The girls are dragging me out for cocktails since I have missed the last three times they’ve gone.”
Jayden’s voice catches me by surprise. “I can look after Daisy.”
Mae stares at him, her mouth opening before snapping shut. To be honest, I do the same.
“Are you sure? Don’t you want to go out with your friends?”
Daisy grabs his arm, yanking on it. I cover my smile with my hand. “Yes, I want Jay Jay to! Please, mum? I’ll be really good.”
Mae chuckles and shakes her head. “If Jayden is sure he can handle it, I don’t see why not.”
“Yay!” Daisy detaches from Jayden and runs across the room to me. “And Willow.” She looks up with her big blue eyes and pulls the look she knows I can’t say no to. “Can you hang out with Jay Jay and I, too?”
My eyes widen, knowing this is a bad idea, but I can’t help myself. “If that’s okay with Jay Jay, I would love to.”
I meet Jayden’s eyes, a glint sparkling inside them. “Sure.” He agrees.
Daisy’s cheers consume Books and Brews as Jayden and I share a not-so-secret look. A smile pulls on my lips again. This time, I don’t bother to hide it.
***
“Thank you so much for doing this,” Mae says, panting as she runs around the living room looking for her shoes. “Daisy! Have you been wearing my high heels?”
A short silence is followed by a string of giggles. Daisy runs out of the hallway, straight for the couch.
