Page 47 of Other Side Of Never
I bumped him playfully with my shoulder.“I divorced my ex-husband two years ago.It became final a couple of months ago.”
“He dragged it out.”
I nodded.“He’s not a good man.”
He moved closer to me, walking with his bicep nudging my shoulder.Voice tight, he asked, “He hurt you?”
I shook my head.“Not physically.”
He nodded, his face grim.“He hurt you.”
“He hurt me,” I agreed quietly.
His calloused hand wrapped around mine as he jerked his chin up toward the storefront ahead of us.“You want to help me pick out a present for the baby?”
I squeezed his hand.“I would love that.Nadine is due in November.We can look for Christmas-themed babywear!”
His smile didn’t quite conceal the sadness in his eyes.Whether it was for me or himself, I couldn’t tell.He quirked a dark brow.“If I remember correctly, Christmas-themed babywear is exciting.”
I rolled my eyes at his cluelessness and stressed, “So exciting!”
Traipsing up and down the main street, we popped in and out of different stores, compiling treasures for Aaron and Nadine’s baby and Isaiah.I found a Lego advent set.It wasn’t the season, but he’d love opening all those tiny windows and building the mini-Lego sets inside.Kian bought a set of Santa bibs, Christmas patterned onesies, and a reindeer sleeper complete with tiny antlers and little hoofs to fold over tiny hands and baby toes.
The faintly bitter taste of an old regret crawled up the back of my throat.
Because when I was ready for a baby, Gary claimed Jakey was as much mine as his.When I pushed, he proclaimed he didn’t want any more children.
After the incident, he said it was just as well I didn’t have any of my own.
As much as I’d wanted a child, one he couldn’t take away from me, I was almost glad to have escaped a lifelong tie to that man.
“You okay?”
“What?”My eyebrows shot up in surprise at the intent look on his face.I blinked under his scrutiny.“I’m fine.”
He smiled softly.“I lost you there for a minute.”
I shook my head.“I’m okay.”
He opened his mouth to say more but I stayed him with my hand, murmuring, “Enough sadness for one day, Kian.”
Turning away, he picked up a tiny ‘Favorite Uncle’ T-shirt.“What do you think?”
Picturing Isaiah preening, I huffed out a laugh.“He’ll love it.”
I picked up a soft, fleece elf hat and a tiny matching sweatshirt for the baby.It came in a wide array of kids’ sizes.I lifted one in Isaiah’s size, teasing, “Do you think Isaiah would like this?”
He chuckled.“He’d wear it for you.”
“For me?”I asked in surprise.
He offered me a crooked smile.“He’s pretty smitten.”
I ducked my chin.“The feeling is mutual.”
Internal alarm bells peeled, a harsh reminder that I’d been ejected from this ride before.
Shifting from one foot to the other, I avoided his gaze and asked, “Ready to find some food?I’m getting cranky.”
