Page 149 of I Promise You
“Just eat it before we have to say goodbye.”
“Baby, it’s never a goodbye.”
He plants a kiss on my lips before letting himself fall back onto the couch again.
“It’s a—"
“See you soon.”
We say it together, and he smiles, flashing me that trillion dollar smile.
He takes a bite out of the candy, and I snatch it out of his hand before he can eat any more of it.
He chews on it, looking straight into my eyes. I’m watching him like a Hawk, anticipating his reaction to the taste.
“Wow, it’s fucking good.” He swallows before reaching back for it.
“Nope. Mine.” I take off from his lap, and he groans.
“Ari, let me take these to where I’m going!” he calls out for me as I run toward the front porch where my mother is at.
“I guess you can’t leave me now until you get more of these!” I shout over my shoulder. He stands from the couch, chasing after me. I wish I could say I was truly running from him, but it’s more like waddling like a penguin. I swing the door open to the house and stop in my tracks. My smile fades away and confusion replaces the calmness in my chest.
A young woman stands in front of my mother. They’re both in mid-conversation by her plants to the left of the porch. A baby girl that looks to be about a year or two hugs her like she’s shy. She has brown hair and wide honey eyes.
My eyebrows furrow as I study the woman. She looks familiar.
“Oh, I’m sorry, who’s this, Mom?” I ask politely. I feel big hands grip my shoulder and I peek a glance at Danny towering over me behind me, matching my expression. He stiffens and steps in front of me protectively. After what happened with Ms. Salem, he’s been extra cautious.
“This is Paul’s...friend.” Mom looks at her dubiously.
The woman and child turn toward Danny and I. He steps in front of me, like my guardian knight, and places his hand on my baby bump.
When I see her brown eyes soften sadly, I remember where I’ve seen her before. She was in one of the photographs that Paul kept hidden in his nightstand.
The beautiful woman in the picture.
“Hi. I’m sorry I just showed up like this, but this can’t wait any longer.” She readjusts the baby on her hip.
“Okay?” I step out from behind Danny, furrowing my brows.
What could she possibly want this late at night? How does she know where we live?
“I’m Adriana and this is Celine, my daughter.” She motions to her baby. Celine holds a stuffed bear in her hands, looking around the porch. “My husband isn’t the father, which means the only other person it could have been…”
Husband? She’s married? The baby isn’t his? Does she mean what I think she means?
“Who are you?” Danny presses the woman in a grumpy tone.
I squeeze his hand, and he looks down at me protectively.
“I'm Paul’s old friend...and I’m pretty sure your brother is my child’s father.”
What?
“Come again? What do you mean? He didn’t have a girlfriend.”
How?
