I hesitate. “Honestly? It stings. Seeing her name. Seeing his. Knowing they’re building something out of the ashes like it cost them nothing.”
“I get it,” she says. “I still say Stephanie’s faking it. She’s way too self-absorbed to share the stage with a baby.”
I blink. “You think she’d lie about being pregnant?”
“I’m not saying she’s not pregnant,” Lori mutters. “I’m just saying I wouldn’t trust her to hold a goldfish.”
A dry laugh escapes me.
“Look,” she says, “if you do decide to go, I’ll come. No way I’m letting you walk into that den of toxic glitter bombs alone.”
Moisture creeps into my eyes. “Thanks. Really.”
“Not a problem.”
I hesitate. “Hey…you should visit. Stay a while. I’ve made new friends, but it’s not the same.”
“Beth.”
“I miss you. No pressure. Just think about it.”
She sighs, but I hear the grin in her voice. “All right.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
JACK
I find Beth on the porch, bare feet tucked beneath her as she stares at the darkening sky. She hasn’t mentioned the baby shower since yesterday, but I can tell it’s eating at her.
“Hey,” I say and settle beside her on the step.
Cicadas hum in the distance, and we sit and enjoy it.
“You still thinking about going?”
Beth exhales and readjusts her legs. “Yeah.”
I nod, my gaze fixed on the horizon. “Okay.”
She turns to me, brow furrowed. “You won’t try to talk me out of it?”
“No. If this is what you need, I’ll be there.”
Her lips part in surprise. “Really?”
I reach over and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Beth, I don’t care where we go, as long as I’m with you. If you need to walk into that place and show them they didn’t break you, I’ll be right beside you.”
Her throat bobs. “Jack…”
I touch her cheekbone with a finger. “I mean it, sweetheart. Whatever you need, I’m here.”
She breathes out. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
***
The next morning, I leave her curled up in bed. My thoughts stay with her as I head to work, how she clung to me last night, afraid to let go.
