We walk around the block, and sweat beads on my forehead and rolls down my back. As we approach the hedge that lines the fence surrounding the pool, running children, splashing water, and lounging adults make appearances through the leaves and bald spots in the bushes. A muscular arm marked with familiar tats draws me up short.
Adam.
And I’m pregnant.
And so not ready to face him.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Mom and Clarissa continue down the scorching walkway toward the relief of cool water, but I’m rooted to my spot. A sudden, overwhelming urge to run grabs me by the scruff of my neck and tries to shake me loose from the heated cement.
My mother stops at the gate and throws a glance over her shoulder to me, eyebrows raised.
Shaking my head, I point to my stomach, and then toward my house. I don’t even have to fake my grimace. She waves for me to head on home. Then she follows Clarissa into the pool area.
A little girl, a bit older than Clarissa, in a sparkled turquoise swimsuit sidles up to Adam.
Her sweet voice loudly whispers, “Mommy said I had to ask you all by myself. Will you take me to the daddy-daughter dance?”
Adam chuckles. “I’d be honored, Maddie.”
“You’ll take me?”
“Of course, I will. That’s my job.” Adam raises his voice. “Ask your mom.”
“That it is.” A melodic feminine voice calls from a short distance away. “And a fine job you’re doing.”
“Thanks, Jen. It’s nice to be appreciated.” Adam’s smile is in his voice, and I don’t need to see it to imagine that one dimple deepening in his cheek.
Jen?
Little hands grab his tattooed bicep as a delighted giggle erupts from the girl.
Adam’s daughter?
Of course she is. Why else would it be his job to take her to a daddy-daughter dance?
My throat tightens.
That dirty-dog liar.
My eyes sting.
Doesn’t want any kids—my ass.
My gut aches.
Any more kids, maybe.
The bile in my stomach lurches. I clamp my hand over my mouth and make a run for the house.
No way am I embarrassing myself, in full view of the entire neighborhood, by collapsing in a heap of vomit and tears.
Clarissa jumps into my lap.
I gather her in my arms. “Where’d you come from, Pip?”
She hugs me, laying her head on my shoulder as though to say she’s happy to see me.
Jen’s eyebrows almost hit her hairline. “Well. Someone’s made some friends in the neighborhood.”
I scan the pool area for Kelsey. Instead, a familiar woman I recognize as Kelsey’s mom, waves her hands at me as she rushes around the corner of the pool. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Clarissa, leave the nice man alone and let’s get into the water.”
Setting Clarissa on her feet, I stand and hold out my hand. “I’m Adam. I live next door to Kelsey. Don’t worry. Clarissa’s not bothering us.”
Her pale skin almost glows in the sun, her blush creeping over her chest and cheeks. “I’m Gina, Kelsey’s mom. It’s lovely to meet you.”
She trains her eyes on Jen. “And you are?”
Jen smiles and offers her hand. “I’m Jen, a friend of Adam’s, just visiting for the day with the kiddos.”
“Oh? You have children? Maybe they’d like to play with Clarissa.” Gina’s smile is almost as wide as the brim of her hat.
“Of course they would. I bet she and my Maddie will get along fabulously.” Jen waves to Maddie who’s dog paddling at the edge of the pool. “Sweetie, come meet Adam’s friend, Clarissa.”
Maddie drips her way over to us. She stands beside her momma, shy at meeting someone for the first time.
“Maddie, this is Clarissa. She’d probably love to play. Would you like that?”
Maddie holds up her hand and wiggles her fingers in a weird little wave. “Hi.”
Clarissa copies Maddie.
“I said hi.” Maddie tosses me a skeptical glance.
Gina leans close to Clarissa, taking her beach towel from her shoulders and looking Maddie in the eyes. “I’m Clarissa’s Granna. It’s nice to meet you, Maddie. She doesn’t talk, honey. But she understands most everything.”
Maddie casts wary looks at her mom, and then back to me. “She doesn’t talk?”
Jen pats Maddie’s back. “Look at it this way, Toots. You get to talk all you want and Clarissa won’t interrupt.”
Maddie’s eyes go wide, and then she grins. “Let’s play!”
She takes Clarissa’s hand and leads her to the pool’s steps.
Gina calls. “She can’t swim, dear. So stay in the shallow end, please.”
“Don’t worry, Maddie’s still not doing much more than the dog-paddle.” Jen shakes her head. “I knew telling her she could talk all she wants would get her going. That kid gabs more than any child I’ve ever known. Her brothers get sick to death of it and are constantly telling her to shut it.”