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Jay stepped closer to Bebe, his brow furrowed. “Are you sure you’ll be okay by yourself? My mama is home, and we can leave Hope with her. I can be there as a just-in-case.”
Her heart melted at the offer. “I really appreciate that, but I think I’ll be okay. You could say a prayer.”
“Already done.”
The strength emanating from him made her want to lean against him and enjoy the safety of his arms. But she didn’t want to fall apart before meeting Will. Instead, she took a step back and gave him a soft smile. “Thanks, Jahleel.”
“Hurry back.”
Her pulse fluttered. With a small wave, she headed for her car. Ten minutes later, she pulled up to Sam’s Shack, the smell of fried seafood greeting her. Too bad meeting Will had ruined any appetite she had for Sam’s food.
Bebe walked into the wood building that resembled a beach shack. The dimness made it a little difficult to see, but Will stuck out like a sore thumb. He was the only one wearing a suit. She snorted and headed toward the table way in the back. His eyes widened a little when he noticed her.
He stood. “Lucille.” He slid his hands down his slacks.
Something was very wrong. She swallowed. “Will.” She pulled out one of the wooden chairs to sit on.
“Thanks for meeting me.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I’m sure you’re wondering what this is all about.”
Yes, because every alarm in her body was sounding. She didn’t know whether she needed to fight or flee. “I am.”
He gulped. “It’s like this. Angie’s pregnant.”
Of course.For some reason, the news didn’t faze her. She’dfigured it would happen sooner or later. The fact that they managed to be together this long and not have a child was the real surprise. Unease snaked through her gut. “Congrats.”
Thank goodness she didn’t feel heartache or bitterness. Maybe she was finally over the trauma that was Will Gordon.
He tapped his fingers against the table. “I can’t afford to make the same mistakes with Angie that I did with you.”
“You mean like cheating on her with your secretary?”
He winced. “No, I was thinking about Hope.”
“Wait, what? Did you cheat on Angie and get another woman pregnant as well?”
“No!” he said loudly, then lowered his voice again. “Good grief, Lucille. I’ve learned my lesson, all right?”
A server approached their table. Will waved him off, so Bebe kept her desire for a tall glass of water to herself.
“Then what is this all about? You just want me to know she’s pregnant? Prepare Hope?” Now that she thought about it, Bebe had no idea how her daughter would respond to this bit of news.
“Um, no. I, uh...” He blew out a breath. “Angie’s not like you, Lucille. She needs me more, and I ... I don’t want to mess this up.”
He kept saying that. What did he mean? He’d already married Angie and claimed he hadn’t cheated. He was already doing better in his second marriage than when they’d been together.
“What does this have to do with me? With Hope?” Then it dawned on her. “Do you want her for Christmas after all?” Dread and hope mixed within her. Her darling girl would love to spend time with him, but Bebe would be miserable without her.
“Uh...” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Not exactly.”
“New Year’s?”
“No. I don’t want her.” He raked a hand over his hair.
“But you just said...”He didn’t want to repeat his mistakes, right?
