Page 11 of Just Another Chance

I down the rest of my wine and lift my hand, snagging the waiter’s attention. “Could we get the check, please?” I ask.

“Of course, sir.”

“And can you box this all up?” Chella asks. I glance over and she shrugs. “I told you; I don’t waste food.”

As the waiter walks away with our plates, Chella finishes her wine, too. “You’re an interesting man, Tanner Beckett. A dying breed.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She eyes me for a long moment. “You’re loyal and trustworthy. Most men aren’t.”

“Maybe you’re just jaded.”

“No, I’m a realist.” She offers me a smile that almost looks sad.

With a frown, I pull my wallet out. After signing the credit card receipt, I stand up and we walk out. I think every single heterosexual man in the restaurant watches Chella sashay by and she seems to enjoy their attention thoroughly.

With a shake of my head, I open the door for her, and she walks out. When we reach the sidewalk, she turns and looks around as though she doesn’t know what to do next. We came separately so I’m wondering how she got here. “Do you need a taxi or Uber?” I ask her.

“An Uber would be great,” she says. “If you don’t mind.”

I pull my phone out and, as I’m opening the app, Chella suddenly grabs my shirt and pushes me. My back hits the building’s brick wall and a surprised oomph bursts from my lungs.Damn, she’s fast and strong.She causes me to go off-balance and I automatically reach out, grabbing her waist to keep from tipping over. Then she pushes up in her sky-high heels and slams her mouth against mine. The entire thing happens so fast and catches me completely off-guard. I’m shocked and it takes me a moment longer than it should to push her away.

“I’m sorry,” she says, voice barely audible.

I give my head a shake and frown. “What’re you-” My voice abruptly cuts off as I see Addie over Chella’s bare shoulder. Addie stands beside a black sedan, the door still open, and looks from Chella to me. Her entire face falls and then she gets back into the car, slamming the door.

“Addie!” I yell. “Oh, shit!”

I push past Chella and race down to the curb, but the sedan is already pulling away. I pound a fist against the back window.

“Wait! Addie!” But the car pulls into traffic and then turns a corner, disappearing from view.

The hurt look I saw in Addie’s eyes sears my very soul.

How the hell did this happen?

Spinning around, I’m ready to rip Chella to shreds for what just happened, but she’s gone. I look around, scanning the sidewalk, but there’s no sign of her.

What the fuck?I scrape a hand down my smooth lower face and curse myself for agreeing to this evening.

5

ADDIE

After the car drops me off, confusion leaves me feeling unbalanced. I can’t wrap my head around what I just saw. Tanner was kissing another woman.

No matter how many ways I try to justify it or think maybe I saw wrong, betrayal sears through me.

There’s no mistaking that his lips were on hers.

I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I’m not blind. A million terrible questions are swirling through my head. Was Thomas right? Is Tanner done with me? Does he want to move on and date someone else who’s more suitable?

Ugh. My heart aches at the idea of losing him. And what about the baby?

Ourbaby.

I haven’t even told him yet. Talk about a complete 180-degree turn. How could I have gone from so excited to share the news to now dreading it in less than an hour? This is the worst thing that could’ve happened and now I have no idea what to do.

---