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I glimpse Hunter in my peripheral, standing off the side watching us, looking part amused and part curious over his mother’s warm embrace.
We pull back from our hug, and Priscilla takes my hands in hers. Tears water her blue eyes as she stares at my pregnant belly. “I’ve been waiting so long for this.”
“Mom, you promised not to cry,” Hunter says, half rolling his eyes.
“Oh, hush.” She shoos him away before placing her hands on my belly. “I can’t wait to meet you,” she says to my womb, and I think she’s about to cry.
That makes two of us. The excitement she has toward her grandchild is what I wish my dad had. And her nurturing demeanor toward me is what I wish I had with Gloria.
* * *
Late Sunday brunch with Priscilla is going well. The food is delicious, and I’m on my second helping as Priscilla and I get to know each other. I tell Priscilla all about my family, leaving out family issues. She pulls out her phone and shows me pictures of her most recent vacation in the Maldives. Hunter tries to engage in the conversation, but he’s like a third wheel. He eventually sits back and eats his food, sometimes making jokes about how he should wait in the car until we’re done.
“Honey, isn’t that Wilhelmina’s daughter?” Priscilla asks in the middle of telling me about her water skiing adventures off Furanafushi Island.
“I’m not sure,” Hunter says, looking at me.
I follow Priscilla’s line of sight to a thirtysomething woman with straight dark blonde hair sitting at a table with three young girls. I place her instantly.
“What is her name again? It’s on the tip of my tongue,” Priscilla says. “Jessenia? No. Janice? Judy?”
“Jessica,” Hunter says, almost irritatingly.
“Ah, yes. Jessica. Hunter and Jessica went to high school together,” Priscilla tells me. Part of me wonders if she knows the true nature of their current relationship.
“That’s nice,” I respond politely before tearing into my breakfast burrito.
Priscilla continues to talk about Jessica, but I’m trying not to listen. Hunter may be, but his vivid eyes are on me as he takes a sip of water. I smile his way, letting him know I’m unbothered by her presence and the conversation. The slight tension in his shoulders relax.
Is Jessica beautiful? She’s stunning. She’s the type of woman I imagine on Hunter’s arm. Am I jealous of her? A little. But not because of their past. Hunter had a whole life before we met, which has nothing to do with me.
It’s their future that I’m struggling with.
I’m afraid Jessica can give him what I can’t—a physical connection without an emotional one.
“It’s a shame what happened with her and her husband,” Priscilla says. “Diddling the nurse when he had such a lovely family at home.”
Hunter drops his fork to his plate. “Jesus, Mom.”
“What? It’s not like he kept it a secret. And even if he tried, I know a cheater when I see one. Hell, I was one.”
Oh, shit. Wow. TMI. I’m choking on my food.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Are you okay, honey?” Priscilla asks.
I nod, but I can’t stop choking.
“Yasmine, baby?” Hunter appears at my side with his hand on my back.
“I’m okay,” I say hoarsely.
“Give her some water,” Priscilla says, concern etched on her brow.
“Here.” Hunter hands me my glass. I take a couple of sips, glancing around the room. People are watching us—Jessica included.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my throat raw but my voice stronger. I’m embarrassed over my reaction to Priscilla’s infidelity outburst, and I feel bad for Hunter. He mainly looked indifferent to the comment, but I noticed the sudden tightness in his jaw when she said it.
