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When Shannon was out of earshot, Sophia spoke with a lowered voice. “Please don’t tell my family what I told you.”
Jamie’s brow furrowed. “I won’t. But you should.”
Max McGregor was everything Jamie was attracted to in a man—handsome, kind, great sense of humor—and when she walked into the house and spotted him on the couch, chatting with one of the cousins, shivers traveled up her spine at the thought of their kiss.
She liked him, that much was for sure. She liked the attention he gave her, the laughs they shared, the looks and touches, the flirtation. It was the beginning. It was new and exciting. And the fact that he was willing to overlook the pregnancy and get to know her in spite of her mistakes was a huge draw.
But whenever she thought about Duncan marrying Dréa, it ached deep down inside. His reaction to her relationship with Max both excited and infuriated her. She liked that it bothered him, but it wasn’t his business who she dated. Once the baby was born, he would have someone in his life to help with baby duties. She wouldn’t. Unless she took this chance to see where things went with Max.
Jamie took a seat next to him on the couch and leaned close. He reached over and wound his fingers through hers as he continued with his conversation. She sat quietly, enjoying being close to someone who cared about her and only her.
When his cousin departed, Max turned to her. “Did you talk to him?”
She shook her head. “He left too quickly.”
“He doesn’t want me dating you.”
“Too bad.” She was tired of Duncan telling her what to do—asking her to move to Denver, not wanting her to date Max, giving her mixed signals.
Max’s eyebrows raised. “Does that mean you want to date me?”
“I want to take things slow, but I definitely want to get to know you better.”
“Me too.” He squeezed her hand and leaned close to her ear. “Does this mean I can kiss you again?”
Jamie gave him a coy look. “It does.”
He squeezed his hand into a fist and pulled it into his side with a loud “Yes!”
She laughed, appreciating his silliness, as he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
Chapter 38
All for nothing. That’s what this was. His relationship with Dréa was over. He didn’t have Jamie. She was going to end up with his cousin, instead of where she belonged—with him and their baby. Why hadn’t he figured all of this out sooner? Why hadn’t he been honest with himself about how he felt about her? Why hadn’t he just prayed for God’s forgiveness and guidance sooner?
Seeing Max and Jamie kissing had sent adrenaline racing through his veins. His flight reflex had him rushing out of there as fast as his legs and his car would take him. If he’d stayed and talked to her at that moment, he would’ve said things he didn’t mean. And with his engagement ending, what he really needed was a good night’s sleep to clear his head. But that hadn’t happened. He’d tossed and turned all night with the image of her lips on Max’s.
But today was Jamie’s checkup with the doctor, and he had a plan. He was going to tell her how he felt. He had to let her know he was single again and that he wanted her in his life. She and the baby. The three of them as a family. And then it would be up to her.
If she chose Max, it would kill him, but he would have to accept her decision, just as she had accepted his engagement to Dréa.
Duncan stared at his reflection in the mirror as he wiped away leftover shaving cream. He ran his fingers through his hair. What a mess he’d made of things.
Before leaving for the hospital, he kissed his mother and grandmother goodbye and headed off with their well-wishes and greetings to pass along to Jamie. He hadn’t told anyone about the broken engagement yet. He needed Jamie to know first.
When he walked into the waiting room at the doctor’s office, his heart sank at the sight of Max seated next to Jamie.
“Morning,” Max greeted him.
Duncan took an open chair across from them. Crossing his arms and leaning back, he stared at Jamie with a straight face until she met his gaze.
They said nothing, so Max broke the awkward silence. “Hope it’s okay I tagged along. Jamie said it was all right.”
“Well then it must be okay,” Duncan replied sarcastically, still staring at Jamie.
“Knock it off, Duncan,” she said. “I didn’t know if you were going to show up today after the way you took off last night.”
“I’m the dad,” he stated. “Me. Not him. This is about you, me, and the baby.”