Page 111 of The Rules of Dating My One-Night Stand

“Oh, you poor thing.” I rolled my eyes. “So tired.”

“Well, I am. Have you ever been to jail? You don’t know what it’s like.”

“I haven’t,” I snapped back. “Which is kind of a miracle given my childhood.”

When we arrived, Owen refused to drop me off at the rental car, which was still parked in that church parking lot. He said he’d handle getting the car back to the City in the morning. I was profoundly grateful for that, since I was exhausted and just wanted to get home.

I’d filled Billie in on what was happening, and she’d offered to keep the kids overnight so we didn’t have to make a scene. I’d asked her to continue not saying anything to them about Vera. I’d go over there in the morning before they had to go to school to explain things. The kids were under the impression I’d gone to meet a potential client.

When we arrived back at the apartment, Vera finally mentioned Heath and Hannah for the first time all day.

“Where are my kids?”

“Nice of you to ask about them,” I said sarcastically. “They’re at a friend’s for the night. They have no idea what a mess you’ve gotten yourself into, and I don’t want to scare them this late.”

She kicked off her shoes. “Okay, then. I’ll take advantage of the peace. Gonna take a shower and head to bed.”

“Yeah, you do that,” I said bitterly. I turned to Owen and muttered, “She’s enjoying the peace. How nice, right?”

Owen didn’t say anything, just wrapped his arms around me. “I’m so sorry.”

I spoke into his chest. “It’s not your fault.”

“Well, I feel likesomeoneneeds to apologize for that woman. You deserve much better.”

“In some ways, I wish she’d never come back. Now I have to figure out how to manageheras well.” I looked up at him, noticing my reflection in his gorgeous blue eyes.

“Why don’t you stay at my place tonight? I promise I won’t try anything. Just wanna sleep next to you.”

Normally, I would’ve taken Hannah’s bed, but I wasn’t ready to leave Owen. Tomorrow was going to be a shitshow. All I wanted tonight was to fall asleep in Owen’s arms.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “Let’s get out of here.”

Back at Owen’s, he drew a bath for me and left me alone to soak.

When I emerged from the bathroom, he’d sliced up an apple and topped it with peanut butter. He served it to me on a plate with some chocolates.

“It’s not much. But it’s the best I could put together with a near-empty fridge. If it weren’t so late, I would’ve gotten you some pie.”

“This is perfect,” I said as I bit into an apple slice.It really is.

Owen rubbed my feet while I ate my apple and peanut butter. I held out a slice for him, and he took a bite. A little of the panic from earlier returned for a fleeting moment, though not because of Vera. I’d suddenly remembered what Billie had texted me the other day: the website for a noninvasive paternity test that could be done as early as seven weeks. I almost wished I’d never found out about that. I wasn’t ready.

If there was a chance I could lose Owen after finding out? I might noteverbe ready.

CHAPTER 23

Owen

Devyn had been quiet most of the night. Who wouldn’t be after the day she’d had? Though she seemed especially lost in thought once we got into bed. She lay on her side, facing the other direction. I wanted to give her space, but then I heard her breath hitch.

“Dev?”

“Yeah?”

“Turn over.”

“I can’t.” She sniffled.

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