“What if your family hates me?”
“They’ve already met you, and they love you. Your friend Leah has been singing your praises for weeks.”
“But Cassie. What if she hates me?”
“She won’t. Little kids can’t hate. They don’t learn that stuff until they’re at least ten.”
“What about Jana?” That’s my last question but the most important one. “She’s been a mother to Cassie for almost a year. Don’t you think she’s going to resent me coming in and taking over your life and her baby?”
Jeremy gets up on his feet, slides the ring into his pocket, and takes me by both hands. “She’s going to have to come to terms with the simple fact that I am Cassie’s father. I don’t mean Jana any harm, and I’ll always be grateful to her for what she’s done for me and for Cassie; but I’m Cassie’s dad and I plan to be that man for her for the rest of our lives together. It’s a done deal. I already spoke to Robinson.”
“Robinson?”
“Our lawyer.”
“Does Jana know yet?”
“No. I’m going to talk to her about it tonight.”
I walk backwards, breaking our connection. “Tonight? At spaghetti dinner? No way! I’m not going!”
“Yes, you are.” He walks toward me and takes me into his arms. “I need you there by my side.”
I try to stiffen up and resist, but it’s impossible. His warm steady presence wins me over in seconds.
“It’s going to be okay,” he says in his soothing voice, rubbing my back, “I promise. I’m going to take care of everything.”
“I think it’s going to be a lot worse than you can even imagine.” I can just picture the look on Jana’s face when he tells her he wants to take the baby away. Her baby. Of course she must feel that way, that Cassie’s her daughter. She’s changed her entire life for that little girl. I still remember the loving tone she used when we walked around the museum and she told me all of Cassie’s adventures with crawling and almost walking.
He pats me on the back. “We’ll see. Come on down. They’re going to be here soon, and I need help with that garlic bread.”
I grumble all the way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Tonight is going to be a nightmare, I just know it is. I’m glad I’ll be allowed to hide behind my sunglasses all night, because there are surely bound to be some tears.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
I TRY TO LOOK JANA in the eye when she comes in, but it’s hard. It probably doesn’t matter because with these dark glasses on, she can’t see what I’m looking at. But I can, and I feel guilty.
“Here, will you hold her for me?” Jana asks, putting Cassie in my arms without even waiting for an answer.
I want to say, ‘It’s not my idea to take her away from you,’ but I don’t. She’s barely gotten in the door and Jeremy hasn’t said a word to anyone about his plans yet.
“Robinson!” Jeremy says from the foyer. “So glad you could make it.”
Jana stops messing with the diaper bag on her shoulder and looks back, whispering, “Robinson’s here?” She looks to me for an explanation.
“I didn’t know he was invited. Who is he again?” Play dumb. Yeah, that’s the ticket. I’ll do that.
“He’s James’s former college roommate and our family attorney.”
“Oh, cool. And he’s coming for dinner. Does he usually come?”
“To spaghetti dinner? No, not usually. Maybe once in a great while.” She reaches up and touches her hair, then steps to the side so she can use the mirror on the wall. I watch as she assesses her makeup, hair, and teeth, turning just as Robinson and Jeremy come around the corner.
“Hey, Rob. Didn’t know you were coming.” She’s trying to act more casual than she feels, that much is obvious. Hmmm, interesting. Does she have the hots for the family attorney? Methinks yes. I wonder if that crush will survive tonights news about Cassie. Methinks no.
“Got the invite yesterday. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He leans in and kisses her on the cheek.
“And you must be the artist I’ve been hearing all about.” He bends at the waist to kiss me next. “Nice to meet you. I’m Robinson. Don’t believe anything any of these people have told you about me.”
I smile and kiss him back awkwardly, trying to keep Cassie from poking his eyes out. She’s trying pretty hard and gets one of his ears instead.