Page 82 of Best Kept Secret

“I agree you should have told her sooner, but I also understand your reasons for holding back. When I first discovered I was pregnant, I didn’t want anyone to know. I thought people would accuse me of being irresponsible, like I’d made a horrible mistake. But when I felt Annie growing inside me and saw her heart beating on the ultrasound, I realized how wrong I was. How can creating a life be a mistake if it came from a place of love?”

Love? He eyed her closely and saw that she meant it. When she’d told him she’d wanted a deeper relationship, he’d assumed she meant with someone else. He hadn’t even been sure what love was back then. But now, with Kelsey…

“I think she’ll come around once she’s had time to process it.”

“I hope you’re right,” he said with a heavy sigh.

She furrowed her brow, and he wondered if he’d said something wrong. “You know what? I think I’ve seen her somewhere before.”

“Really? Where?”

She thought for a moment and then snapped her fingers. “The hair salon. Has she ever mentioned the name Jenna Young?”

“Yes. Jenna cuts her hair, and her sister, Stacy, is Kelsey’s best friend.”

“Ohmigod. Small world.”

“Wait a second. When did you see her there?”

“Just recently. Why?”

“It must have been the day she got highlights. Did she talk to you?”

“No. Why?”

Knowing Kelsey, she would have noticed Sonia, who was admittedly striking. Had jealousy played a part in her reaction? Was she worried he still had feelings for Sonia?

He’d told her about Alex, but had she really listened? Of course, after finding out about Annie’s parentage, she probably didn’t believe a word he’d said. He sighed again.

“I have to talk to her. There must be some way I can get her to listen,” he mused aloud.

Annie stirred in the bouncy seat, where she’d been sleeping, and Sonia immediately sprang into action. “I should get going. She might fall back asleep in the car.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

“That’s okay. You stay here and call Kelsey. I’ve got this.”

“Thanks,” he said, appreciating her show of support.

Somehow she transferred Annie to the car seat and hooked it over one arm and the diaper bag over the other, all without waking her or breaking a sweat. Why were women such experts at this? He walked her to the door and pulled it open. Then he leaned down and dropped a kiss on Annie’s forehead.

“I’ll talk to you soon,” he said.

Sonia nodded and stepped into the hallway. “Now, go get your girl!” she called over her shoulder.

He smiled as he closed the door. That’s exactly what I intend to do, but first I have to figure out how.

Twenty-Five

Kelsey went to her apartment just long enough to change out of her bathing suit and pack a bag. Then she headed to Stacy’s house. If she stayed at her place, he might come there, and she couldn’t risk it. Since Stacy and Nick were gone to Florida, she wouldn’t be putting anyone out, and hopefully, he wouldn’t think to look for her there.

By the time she got to her friend’s house, her tears had dried up, and her sadness had been replaced with anger. She punched in the code on the garage door with sharp jabs, pulled her car inside, and closed the door behind her, effectively shutting out the world.

She lugged her bag inside and set it on the kitchen floor. Then she opened the fridge and perused the contents. She and Hudson were supposed to eat lunch after their swim, but obviously, that hadn’t happened.

As she rummaged around in the fridge, she had to smile at Stacy’s fastidiousness. While she threw things in the fridge haphazardly, Stacy had everything neatly lined up and organized by category. The condiments were together on one shelf, while the fruits and vegetables were tucked into their designated drawers. She’d even labeled plastic containers of leftovers with the date she’d packed them. Who does that? Oh, right, Kelsey’s super-organized best friend.

“She won’t mind if I eat this,” she said, peering into a container of leftover lasagna. She further justified it when she saw it was dated two days ago. By the time Stacy returned from Florida, it wouldn’t be good anymore.