Page 45 of Unexpectedly You

“You like him.” It’s not a question, but I answer anyway.

“Yeah. He’s kind.”

“Are you leaving me behind?”

“Never.” I jump up and I stand in front of him. I need to make sure he knows nothing has changed. “It’s always you and me against the world.”

I try to take his hand but he doesn’t allow me, and that hurts, because he’s never done that before.

“Jerr…” But he stubbornly stands there looking everywhere but me. I take his face in between my palms, just like he did before, and move his face until we’re eye to eye. “I’ll find the money,” I promise him.

He scoffs. “Don’t make me laugh. Where are you going to find thirty thousand pounds?”

“I don’t know. I’m going to work.” By the time I find the money the interest will have doubled the amount we owe.

“No job is going to give you that amount of money in less than a year. And no other job is going to keep Dick happy, unless we pay the full amount.”

“I…”

“Is everything okay?” Haden says after knocking on the semi-closed door.

“Yeah, all good.” I look at him, trying to avoid showing my fears.

“Jeremy?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” he says, sounding frustrated and sulky at the same time, and in some ways reminding me of Haden when he’s grumpy.

I giggle and they both look at me. “Sorry, sorry.”

They look at me like I’ve lost my mind, and it could be true.

“I heard part of your conversation.”

I blink once, and then twice, as if I can’t comprehend what he’s saying. Colour rises to my face and I bite my lips to keep my emotion in check. Betrayed doesn’t begin to explain it. I trusted him.

Haden raises his hands as if he can read what’s happening inside my head. “I was coming in to offer you two something to drink.”

Doubt lingers, but when my eyes land on his, searching for the truth, I find it there. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself, the need to battle with him leaving me slowly.

“Okay,” I say, and then something else comes to mind. “Where’s Arianna?”

Haden and Jeremy talk at the same time.

“She’s sleeping.”

“Who’s Arianna?”

“Arianna is Haden’s daughter,” I’m quick to say, knowing where Jeremy’s mind is going.

“That’s a surprise,” his tone is incredulous, and in some ways offensive.

“That mouth of yours is gonna get you into trouble.” Haden’s cold voice showcases his displeasure.

“Jeremy, stop.”

He looks at me and backs down. “Sorry.”

“No problem.” But the dark cloud hovering over his head doesn’t dissipate as quickly.