Page 72 of An Unexpected Turn
So much for amicable.
“Mom, I get this is a little bit of a shock, but that’s uncalled for.”
“I’m just warming him up for when your uncle gets a hold of him. Keith is easygoing, but when you both decide to tell him, he’s going to flip out. So, what is it?”
Jake turned toward me, his eyes boring into mine as a smile drifted across his mouth.
“I love your daughter, Donna. I tried to stay away for Keith’s sake, but I couldn’t. And yes, I had a rough divorce and didn’t plan on falling in love with anyone, but she’s the best thing that’s happened to me since my son.”
I tried to speak over the lump growing in the back of my throat, but when I opened my mouth, no words came out. I grabbed the back of his head, pulling him to me with a shaking hand.
“I love you too.”
When a wide grin broke out on his face, anything else in this room and in this world that wasn’t Jake faded away.
“Not that I didn’t believe you the first time,” he said, cradling my cheek. “But it’s nice to hear it without you slurring the words.”
I laughed, leaning in to kiss him until my mother cleared her throat.
Her expression softened, the small smile curving her lips surprising me.
“I’ve never known you to be a bad guy, but if you hurt Peyton, my brother will be the least of your problems.”
“Noted,” he said with a slow nod. “But I would never and could never hurt her.”
“So why the secret,J?” Her easy gaze narrowed to a glare.
“I want to tell him together. It’s me he’ll be furious with, and I’m ready to deal with it, but I don’t want Peyton going through it alone.”
“Well, the longer you wait, the worse it will be. If you’re really in love, don’t cheapen it by sneaking around behind Keith’s back.” She drained her mug and rose from the table. “Whether you believe me or not, I am happy for you, even if I wouldn’t want to be either of you right now.”
“I’ve heard that before,” Jake said with a sad laugh.
“I’ll let you ... get back to it.” Mom raised a brow before heading back to my spare bedroom.
“I better get going. I didn’t even know I was stopping here until my car turned onto your exit almost on its own.” He framed my face. “I guess I missed you that much.”
“So, you love me?” I gave him a watery smile, tears still scratching at my throat.
“I do. So fucking much. I told you, sweetheart. As soon as this is out, it’s all going to be fine.” He inched toward me, grazing his bottom lip over mine as he closed the distance between us. “Nothing else matters but this.”
My mouth melded to his as I took in the sweet lie.
TWENTY-NINE
JAKE
“Why did we have to come here? We could’ve just ordered takeout like we always do.”
I smothered a laugh at my son’s audible exhale.
“Because neither of us had plans for the night, and I felt like getting out of the house, maybe even attempting a conversation with you without your headset. I’ll keep the torture brief, I promise.”
I shoved his shoulder, spying the twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
We followed the hostess to a table when she called us over. We ordered burgers from Salma’s at least once every weekend, but I thought it was a good place for what I had in mind for tonight. A slight step up from the diner, but not too formal. The research and preparation for attempting casual exhausted me more than they should have.
“It’s not torture. I guess it’s okay to get out.”
