Page 26 of Just Another Chance

“Don’t forget your flowers!”

“I didn't,” I tell her. “They’re for Miss Hayes.”

Heather’s mouth drops and I walk out, hoping to God that my plan to woo Addie is working.

11

ADDIE

“Miss Hayes?” Heather repeats and turns around to look at me with wide eyes. She hurries over and studies me closely. “Who in the world is that hazel-eyed hunk and why did he just buy you 50 long-stemmed roses?”

Oh, Lord. How do I even begin to explain Tanner Beckett? I don’t want to reveal too much, but at the same time, I think Heather and I could become good friends. Besides, I need someone to confide in and help ease the burden I’m feeling right now. Confusion is pelting me like hail, and I need advice or at least a friendly ear. “He’s, um…” I glance toward the door he just strode out of and can’t help but smile.

“Yeeees?” she presses.

“My ex.”

“You dated that beautiful, mouth-watering man?” She sighs dramatically and begins to fan herself. “Why in the world did you let him go?” Suddenly, her eyes widen, and she gives me a chagrined look. “I’m sorry, this is none of my business, is it?”

“It’s okay,” I say.

“When we met, I sort of had the idea we’d become friends and now here I am getting all up in your business.”

I chuckle. “I thought the same thing. And after having Owen, I don’t really have any friends anymore. Except for my sister Kayla and we’re only starting to get closer since I moved back. So, it’s nice to have someone to confide in. And, believe me, I have a bit of a soap opera happening right now.”

The idea of drama makes Heather’s eyes light up. “Ooh, that’s exciting! I mean, maybe not so much for you. But I’m dying of curiosity over here.”

“So that was Tanner Beckett,” I say slowly, trying to decide what to tell her exactly. But the need to open up and spill my secret is burning me up inside. “He and I…” My voice trails off.

What?

Dated three months and I loved him desperately?

Broke up after I saw him kissing another woman?

Have a child together who he doesn’t even know exists?

I’m a freaking mess,I realize, and press my lips together.

“Used to date,” she supplies for me.

“Right. Two years ago, I thought he was the love of my life.”

Heather quickly puts two and two together. Or, in my case, the fact that Owen is nearly two years old. “Is Owen…?”

She lets the sentence drag off and I swallow hard and nod. “He’s Tanner’s son,” I admit. “But Tanner doesn’t even know that he exists.”

“Oh, God.”

I give her a brief rundown of what happened. Or, at least, that was my original plan. But once I start rehashing the past, I end up spilling everything– how we first saw each other on the subway, and he followed me back to the flower shop where I worked; how easy it was to love him and how very quickly we fell for each other; then finding out I was pregnant and the way his controlling father tried to offer me money to get out of his life. All the way up until the moment I saw Tanner kissing that woman on the sidewalk.

“Okay, wait a minute,” she says and holds up a hand. “Are you telling me you just ran off after that? You never even talked to him?”

“He didn’t try to talk to me.”

“Did he know you were there? That you saw him kiss her?”

I nod. “He looked right at me. I was so upset that I jumped back in the car. He called out to me, but I told the driver to keep going and take me home.”

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