“Aww, you’re so good with her!” another one squeals.
“I always knew he’d be a great dad,” a familiar voice says.
Grr, it’s Vicky, his former friend with benefits. She’s leaning close to him, pressing her boobs into his arm, to feign looking at Marley. It makes me want to yank that girl’s hair until she gets away from my baby and boyfriend.
I clear my throat.
No one fucking hears me.
“Excuse me.”
Finally, one of the girls turns around. She eyes me up and down. “I was here first.”
I laugh. “That’s my kid.”
Her brows pull tight. “You’re Billy’s mom?”
Dear Lord Almighty, please don’t let me stab this idiot with a rusty fork.
“Babe. Hey.” Billy nudges everyone out of his way and gives me a one-armed hug so he doesn’t squish the baby. I can’t bring myself to hug him back. “I was just introducing Marley to some friends.”
“Yeah. I caught that. Listen, I’m going to head out. Let me get Marley’s stuff, and I’ll take her off your hands.”
Concern lines in his handsome face. “Can’t you stay a little longer? We can grab a quick lunch.”
“I’ll keep you company, Billy,” Vicky says as she tugs on his elbow, and I legit feel my blood pressure rise.
“Maybe some other time, Vic. I miss my girl.”Some other time?He slings his arm around my shoulders and moves meto an empty table several feet away. “Sorry about that. Just got caught up showing everyone how cute Marley was. She’s had a great day, by the way. Hasn’t cried at all. Your mom said she took her early nap like a champ. And don’t worry. I didn’t let anyone touch her. Don’t want her to catch some cooties.” He kisses the top of her head with adoration as he slides into a booth.
He loves my daughter. That’s clear as day. Even if she’s not his, he treats Marley like she is. That says a lot about a man. That he would give his heart to a baby, especially one spawned by his enemy.
I let out a breath. It would be dumb to be upset because of those women. Billy is dating me. There’s no need to be insecure. I don’t want to bethatgirl. The one who says he can’t have female friends and accuses him of things he hasn’t done.
But Vicky is a former friend with benefits. That’s a little different, isn’t it?
When I sit across from him, I can’t bite my tongue any longer. “Are you really going to hang out with Vicky?”
“No. I just didn’t want to be a dick about it.”
I nod slowly. “Okay.”
“Don’t be jealous. I’m in love with you.”
Our eyes meet, and my chin starts to wobble. “I miss you. I feel like we never see each other anymore, and the season has only just started. What’s going to happen in a few months?”
He gets up, careful not to jostle Marley, and comes to my side of the booth. “Scoot over.”
When I do, he slides in next to me and tugs me to his chest. “Let’s be honest here. This semester is going to suck. We both have a lot of responsibilities. We just need to steal whatever time we can. These lunches will help.”
I wipe my eyes and nod against him. “This is hard.”
“I know, baby. Hang in there. This won’t last forever. We just had Marley. It’s going to take us time to adjust.”
Breathing in his scent relaxes me, and I’m about to tell him what happened at class when his phone rings. “We Are the Champions” by Queen blares from his back pocket. That’s my dad.
“Hold on.” Billy pulls out his cell. “Hey, Coach. What’s up?” He freezes. Looks at me. Opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.
My dad keeps talking on the other end, and Billy nods. “Yes, sir. I’d like that. Thanks for asking.”
