Page 73 of Final Chance At Love (Chance At Love Duet 2)

“Please think about everything,” my voice sounded tired to my own ears and I felt drained. “I can’t have any more of your jealousy and we need to do what’s best for everyone. We can talk more tomorrow. I’m really tired. Good night, Kristoff.”

Slightly surprised he remained still, I turned away from him and hurried up into my room just a few feet away and shut the door behind me.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The next morning I made an effort to sneak out of the house with the kids to avoid Kristoff and we spent it on the beach, having a breakfast picnic. I wanted him to think about my words but also for the first time since I met him I felt like I let him see all my broken pieces. It was hard opening up.

Betty, Jonathan, and Rick joined us closer to lunchtime and we all went to grab lunch at a nearby beach restaurant.

As we all sat around, gathered together on the terrace of the restaurant and surrounded by the children’s voices, I couldn’t help but wonder what Kristoff was doing. Nobody mentioned him so I made a point of not asking. Although I hoped someone would let it slip. It was horrible that I missed him so much while I purposely avoided him.

After lunch, the kids wanted to go for ice cream. Betty and Rick volunteered to take them while Jonathan and I went back to our spot on the beach.

I laid on the beach towel and closed my eyes. My back hurt and I felt exhausted. Just as I was dozing off, I heard the kids' voices. I sat up and saw them strolling across the beach happy, ice cream and big smiles on their faces. Sienna and Jack held hands while Sierra and Saoirse held Kristoff’s hand. With swim shorts and a white button down shirt which he left open, I admired him and his mouthwatering six pack. I needed to get my mind out of the gutter.

The kids brought Kristoff and Sophie with them to our beach spot.

“Hi, Mommy.” Sierra left Kristoff and ran towards me with her chubby hands outstretched. “Mr. Paolo gave me an extra scoop!”

“Me too,” Saoirse yelled, but refused to leave Kristoff’s side.

“That’s wonderful!” I said smiling at them. They always made me smile. “Free scoops are always the best.”

“So this is where you’ve been hiding?” Kristoff sat next to me. Saoirse and Sierra left us and went to play with the boys building yet another stone castle in the water.

I glanced down to my bathing suit and I regret not wearing a one piece today. I had a two piece white bathing suit and I felt self-conscious. My little bump was showing. Sophie on the other hand looked smoking hot.

“Hi there,” she greeted me. “I hope you don’t mind we joined in.”

“Of course not,” Jonathan replied as I shook my head. I glanced over at Jonathan and was surprised at his stare towards Sophie.

Interesting,I thought to myself.Is he eyeing Sophie?

I leaned closer to Kristoff to ask him and he met me halfway. “Is Jonathan eyefucking your cousin?”

He never removed his eyes off me. “Probably. They used to be an item.”

“What?” I sensed there was a story there. Kristoff just nodded and I glanced over checking the two.Yep, definitely a story there!

He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Gemma, I...” he started and I locked eyes with him. I waited for him to finish but he never did. Instead he asked, “Are you happy about the pregnancy?”

I frowned at that unexpected question. “Is that a trick question?”

“No,” he sounded sincere. It would help if he elaborated why he was asking.

Looking at him pensively, I tried to answer as honestly as possible. “It’s not exactly what I planned for myself at this stage of my life. Or the ideal way of happening.” I wasn’t sure if that sounded horrible. “But then nothing in life usually ends up the way I plan it, and it works out for the best. So yes, I think so.” Unsure if my answer was what he wanted to hear, I asked hesitantly. “Why do you ask?”

Silence stretched and I thought he wouldn’t answer.

“When my ex was pregnant,” he started in a voice void of emotions and I looked over to him. “...she wasn’t happy about it. She hated it. Even before I found out the baby wasn’t mine, she complained about it. After I found out, she hated it even more. I’m sure Jonathan had it hard.”

My hand was on his cheek before I was even aware. “Oh, Kristoff. I’m so sorry.”

He leaned into my hand and put his big hand over mine, as if to ensure it stayed there.

“I can promise you,” I whispered low. “...no matter what, I love them.”

Gosh, between last night and now we were airing all our laundry, so to speak.

---