Page 86 of Trials of a One Night Stand
The door swings open, and Jayne’s there, eyebrow raised. “Back so soon?”
I hold out her smoothie like a peace offering. “I come bearing gifts and an apology.”
She takes the cup, her expression softening slightly. “Come in.”
We settle in the living room again, the tension palpable. I take a deep breath. “Jayne, I’m sorry. I realize now I was being overbearing.”
She snorts. “Overbearing? Nate, you were trying to plan our entire future without even asking me what I want.”
“I know, I know.” I glance from my cappuccino to her. “I just…want to take care of you. Both of you.” I gesture vaguely toward her stomach.
Jayne’s eyes flare like sparks igniting. “I can take care of us. I need a partner, not someone who puts me on a pedestal as if I’m fragile and will break.”
“No! I mean, yes, of course you can take care of yourself and the baby, and that’s not how I think of you. You’re strong and smart, Jayne. I just thought—”
“You thought you knew best,” Jayne finishes for me. “Like always.”
Frustration flashes through me. “Is it so wrong to want to provide for my family? To want to give you and our child the best life?”
“The best according to who, Nate? You?” Jayne stands up, pacing. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe I like being a lawyer? That maybe I want to find a new job, not become some…some trophy wife writing memoirs?”
“I’m just trying to help!” I stand too but remain still, not wanting to get in her face. “You’ve been stressed. I thought you’d be happy to have a break.”
Jayne whirls to face me. “A break is one thing. Completely changing my life is another. God, do you even know me at all?”
Her words hit me like a physical blow. I take a step back. “Of course I know you.” But there’s a note of uncertainty in my voice, which I don’t like.
Why can’t she understand this is for her own good? It’s for her own good, isn’t it? Of course, it is. No reason to doubt myself, except… what if it’s also for my own good? Does that change things? The questions catch me off guard.
“Do you?” Jayne challenges, coming toward me before I have a chance to answer my own thoughts. “Because the Jayne you seem to want is some 1950s housewife who’s content to let her husband make all the decisions. That’s not me, Nate. It’s never been me. I don’t think it’s your sister-in-law, Chloe, or your business partner, Zelda, either.”
“I want to help. That’s all.” Yes, that’s all I’m trying to do here. Nothing else. “The last thing I want is to change you.”
She stares down her nose at me. “Could’ve fooled me.”
Her dismissive tone sends my temper spiraling. “I’m trying to step up and be a good partner and father. Do I need to apologize for wanting to take care of my child and the woman I love?”
“No, if that’s all you were doing.”
She seems to have missed that I said I love her and that hurts my heart. My defenses go up. “What am I doing then?”
“Wanting to be in control. Taking care of us doesn’t mean taking over our lives.” Jayne’s voice sharpens, adding more bruises to my wounded ego. I can’t believe she’d rather yell at me than acknowledge my feelings toward her.
I’m dumbfounded and have no idea what to say to her.
She’s breathing hard, and we stare at each other across the coffee table. The silence stretches between us, taut and uncomfortable.
“You should go, Nate.” Her voice is quiet but firm. “I need some space. To think.”
“Jayne, please,” I say, not wanting to let anything come between us, but she holds up a hand.
“Not now. Just leave. Please.”
The urge to argue, to make her understand, is strong. But the pain in her eyes stops me from saying anything. Instead, I nod, gathering my things and walking to the front door.
As I reach for the doorknob, I turn back, needing to make sure she knows how I feel about her, even though I’ve never put myself on the line like this. Not even with Zelda. “I love you, Jayne. I said it before, but I’m not sure you heard me, so I’ll say it again. I haven’t known you long, but I love you. Both of you. I want you to know that.”
She nods, not quite meeting my eyes. “I heard you the first time. But sometimes, Nate, love isn’t enough.”
