Page 108

“We’re doing this up right. I want the big wedding and all our family and friends and lots of flowers and music and amazing photos and—”
“I get it. I get it.”
She laughed then sobered. “I spoke to Dréa.”
His stomach dropped. “You did?”
“Yeah, I was the one who recommended she hire Maggie and Simon for wedding photography. She paid them a deposit, and she called me to ask if I thought she might be able to get a refund.”
“Oh.”
“Also … she asked how you were.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I said you were sad but okay. I didn’t want to tell her that you were madly in love with your baby mama.” She grinned.
“Stop.”
“I only speak the truth.” She glanced toward the door then, and Duncan followed suit.
Standing outside the studio were Jamie and Max in an embrace. Max leaned in and kissed her cheek, and she waved as he walked away. Duncan’s heart sank at the sight. He knew this wasn’t going to turn out how he wanted, but he still needed to talk to her. He had to know where they stood once and for all. And then they could all move on.
“Hey.” Jamie’s voice was soft at the sight of him. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to make sure you were feeling okay today.”
“I told you, I’m fine. You can stop worrying.”
“Yeah, that’s never going to happen.”
The smile she gave him lit her up from within and gave him butterflies.
“Can we get a coffee and talk? I promise I won’t take much time from your workday, but there are things that need to be said.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded. “Let me put my stuff away.”
Shannon gave him a thumbs-up as they walked out, and he held in a laugh.
Their walk to Starbucks was quiet yet comfortable with a little small talk along the way about the changing of the season and the cold snap that was to come that weekend.
Once inside, they sat together near the window. She was so beautiful with the sun shining through the glass behind her, her cheeks rosy and full from pregnancy, with a touch of color from swimming the other day.
“So … what did you want to talk about?” she asked, glancing sheepishly in his direction.
“I owe you an apology.”
She looked at him expectantly.
“You know how sorry I am that I didn’t call you after that night.”
She nodded.
“I still feel really bad about that.”
“It’s fine, Duncan. Water under the bridge, as they say.”
“Yes, but I never stopped to think about how hurt you must’ve been when I got engaged to Dréa so quickly.”