Page 97 of The Trouble with Flings

As I join their conversation, sharing funny stories about me and my old stuffed bear, I know everything is going to be okay.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Fitz

After a delicious dinner and cake, Jace and I offer to do the dishes, while Jennifer’s father, Rush, and Jared wrangle the kids into the playroom, and Jennifer huddles with the girls and her mother in the living room, their voices low, laughter ringing out every now and again.

I take that as a good sign.

Jace hands me a plate and says, “So you’re going to be a dad,” shaking his head, like he’s still trying to wrap his mind around it.

“I can hardly believe it, but I’m excited.” I finish drying the plate and set it down on the counter.

“Good.” He hands me another plate. “Having a kid wasn’t on my bucket list before Dixie, and I’ve gotta tell you, they’re life changing. I mean that in a good way, but suddenly your thoughts go from what you want to do to revolving around the kid and what they need, what makes them happy, how to keep them from losing their shit. A kid doesn’t just change your life; it changes you.”

“It already has,” I admit. “I think about Jennifer and the baby twenty-four-seven.”

“Being a single mom in the city is not going to be easy for her.”

I nod, setting the plate down. “We don’t expect it will. I’m open to any advice you might have.”

“Have you two thought about how Jen’s going to juggle her job and a baby?” He hands me a pot to dry.

“We haven’t fleshed out those details yet, but I support whatever Jen wants, and I’ll provide whatever she and the baby need. I know how important her job is, and I’d never expect or ask her to give it up.” I set down the pot, meeting his serious gaze. “I meant what I said at dinner. I’m in this. I’m not going to be an absentee dad. I want to parent our child, and I’m hoping her choices will eventually include an us.”

Jace studies me for a long moment, then exhales. “She’s been through a lot.”

“I know.” I dry my hands on the towel. “She told me.”

His eyebrows lift in surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah. Between you and me, there’s one guy who I’d like to get my hands on. I’ve got a PI tracking him down.”

Jace’s eyes narrow as he scrubs another pan. “Whereabout?”

“Newport, Rhode Island. A real asshole.” I keep my voice even. “But don’t worry. Once I find him, he’ll never get near her again.”

“Already done.” He smirks and hands me the pan. “I personally took care of that bastard, and then I got him the hell out of town. A cop buddy of mine’s been keeping tabs on him ever since.”

“Jen didn’t mention that.”

“She doesn’t know. She never told me what he did, but I saw the bruises.”

Hearing she had bruises outright makes my blood boil. “I’m glad you took care of him, and I give you my word that I will never hurt her. I’ve been all in since day one.”

“Since December?” he asks.

“No, man. Since last summer. Your sister is a remarkable woman.”

“She’s as tough as nails,” Jace says. “If you were anyone else, tonight would’ve gone very differently. At least from my side.”

I take that as a vote of confidence. “Thank you for trusting me. With any luck, Jennifer will come to the same conclusion.”

Jace arches a brow. “Want me to brand her with your family crest?”

We share a laugh.

“As much as I’d like to tell the world she’s mine, she’s not there yet. And she’d probably break your hand if you tried.”