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She’s wearing her adorable pink and white polka-dot bathing suit since it’s a pool party and her hair is up in two high pigtails.
“I heard you’re six, but you look at least twenty-one.”
Violet rolls her blue eyes that are identical to her mom’s, and I wonder if my baby will have whiskey-colored eyes like Nate or green eyes like me. The thought tugs at my heart because Nate and I created a baby. A little miracle who is growing inside of me and is half me and half him.
“I’m not six for five more days,” Violet says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “We’re just celebrating today.”
“Oh, gotcha. Then, I guess this is for…” I trail off because I spot Nate out of the corner of my eye.
At first, I think I’m seeing shit because I was just thinking about him and his beautiful eyes, and why would he be at Ryder and Kira’s house? But then I see my best friend looking at me with guilt etched in her features, and it all makes sense.
“For you,” I finish, handing Violet her gift.
“Thank you! I love the wrapping paper,” she gushes. “Pink is my favorite color. I’m gonna put it on the table. Mommy said I can’t open anything till later.”
I force a smile, keeping it in place until Violet’s gone, and then I make a beeline straight for the only person—besides Nate himself—who is sure to have answers.
“I didn’t do it,” Ana says, raising her hands in surrender.
“Didn’t do what? Invite my baby daddy to Violet’s birthday party, knowing I’m trying like hell to avoid him?”
“I did,” Julian says, wrapping his arm around his wife. “Guy was desperate, and I threw him a line.”
“A line that wasn’t yours to throw.” I glare.
“Maybe not.” Julian shrugs. “But I’ve been where he is. I know what it’s like to be in love with the woman you want to make yours and she’s too damn stubborn to give in.”
“I’m not Ana,” I mutter. “I’m not…” My words trail off because Nate is now walking over, looking beyond delicious in a pair of red-white-and-blue board shorts, a white collared shirt, and flip-flops.
Maybe it’s because I rarely see him dressed like this or because he looks like he should be in a vacation magazine, but as he strolls over, I can’t help the way my body warms and my lady parts tingle. I blame these damn baby hormones. They’re making me act crazy.
“Hey, baby mama,” Nate says, leaning over and kissing my temple. “How are you feeling?”
“Confused,” I blurt out, then glare at Julian. “Betrayed.”
Julian doesn’t even bother to look the least bit guilty when he shrugs and then pulls his wife away, leaving Nate and me alone in the living room.
“Don’t be too mad at them,” Nate says. “I was desperate.”
“So he said. But I just don’t get what you’re doing here. I made it clear how I feel.”
“That you’re scared?” Nate quirks a brow. “Yeah, I heard you loud and clear.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“It’s what you meant though.” He entwines our fingers and pulls me over to the couch.
Since the party is outside, we’re alone in here.
“Did you fly all the way here for the birthday party?”
“I never left,” he says, shocking me.
It’s been almost a week since we finalized the deal, so he has no reason to be here, especially since I made it clear whereI stand.
My stomach roils at the thought of him leaving, but I push my feelings aside. This is for the best…for both of us.
“The baby isn’t coming for another five months,” I point out.