Page 505 of Not Over You

“I—um—I didn’t know what to do. I made a mistake. You need to know I am so sorry. I didn’t realize until I was sitting in the room how horrible I was.” Her eyes bounce between us and this time she makes direct contact. “I heard about your game, and I thought maybe I could win the money I need—“

“Who told you about our game?” Shane is ready to can someone over this.

Willow opens her mouth but quickly snaps her lips shut again before shaking her head, and I smirk from off to the side where I know she can’t see me.

Willow always went to bat for us, and she would take a secret of ours to the grave if we asked her to. If she’s decided she isn’t rolling over on someone, it’s just a waste of time to continue trying.

I change the subject.

“Your business you listed against your buy in is maxed out in mortgages. The bank could take your company tomorrow if they want.” I interject.

“I thought if I won then it wouldn’t matter. I could pay you back the money I used to buy in and still have enough to pay things off. I didn’t think it through.” Willow answers slowly. She’s purposely holding back information from us.

She’s only giving us enough to answer our questions.

She’s hiding something.

“Why do you need money? Your business is doing well. What about that community investment you got years ago?” Willow winces as Shane asks his question, and her shoulders slump, telling me he’s on the right track.

Taking a deep breath, she shifts in her seat, and we stay silent. It’s her cue to answer the question.

“Um, I was dating a guy a while ago. His name was Dale. I’m not sure if you knew that.” At his name, Shane tenses.

We knew all about it, but we only found out when it was too late to head him off and send him packing.

I nod for her to continue.

“Well, when it ended between us, he cleaned out what was left of the money I had in the bank after the renovations were done. I’m glad I got them completed and paid for before that happened, but he took what was left.” Her cheeks blush in embarrassment.

The consequences of her poor life choice is sucking the air out of the room.

I catch Shane clenching his fists out of the corner of my eye.

He’s beyond pissed and he’s barely hiding it from Willow.

It looks like all of our poker faces will be coming off tonight.

I pause for a long minute while I process everything.

I want to strangle that weasel for everything he did to our girl. The fact that he took off with our money is a topic for another day though. I need to keep a level head and stay on Willow.

“But you had your renovations paid for and your coffee shop is always packed. The money you make should still keep you afloat. Why did you need a second mortgage and why did you come here trying to win more?” As each word comes out of my mouth, Willow’s breath picks up and she pinches her eyebrows together.

This is going to be the answer we need. Shane knows it too, and he’s frozen in his seat, waiting for her to open up to us.

“I have a daughter.” Willow whispers her answer but the words scream into my head.

“WHAT?” Shane’s lost his composure and his heart is on his sleeve.

Willow startles in her seat at his raised voice, and I shoot him a quick glance. He bites his lips together to hold himself in, and nods at Willow, allowing her the chance to continue.

“I have a little girl. Her name is Annie. I found out I was pregnant shortly after Dale left. He doesn’t know. No one around here knows. I can’t let Dale find out. He doesn’t care about her. He cares about money. He’ll use her to get to me, and I can’t let him take her from me too.”

As I listen to her words, I still feel we don’t know everything so I circle around.

“Back to the money. It still seems excessive that you’ve taken a second mortgage and felt you needed to gamble it for a chance at a million dollars. I’m no expert but kids don’t cost that much. Do they?” I could be wrong, but her reaction tells me I’m bang on.

Her face crumples together as soft sobs build and tears roll down her cheeks.

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