The Best Man's Baby(12)

His jaw was clenched so tightly it felt like it might snap, but he was not going to lose his cool. Right now he needed to be rational and calm. Never mind the fact he wasn’t in any part of plan A. Maybe plan B would involve him. That sounded more likely since he had never been in anyone’s plan A.

He tilted his chin in the direction of the other board. “What’s plan B?”

He could have sworn he saw a trace of sadness flicker across her brown eyes.

“Plan B is selling the business.” Her voice was soft and she cleared her throat before continuing. “I have an appointment with an appraisal company to determine what it’s worth. On speculation it should be pretty good—my profits keep increasing every year and there’s the very real possibility of franchising. So, I could sell before the baby arrives. We could live off that for a few years, being frugal of course, and then I could start again once he or she is old enough to start school. I could always do some floral arranging from home for extra money and to keep my foot in the door.” She turned around, snapping the lid back on her marker.

Jake was speechless. Furious. He was trying to understand things from her perspective, but he couldn’t.

“Your charts are all screwed up.”

She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Really? How so?”

“I’m not in any damn plan,” he said slowly, carefully enunciating the words the best he could through his clenched teeth.

Her expression went from confused to angry. “You’re right. Wanna know why? Because plan A would have involved you sticking around long enough for the sperm to fertilize the egg, but by that time you were already on a plane halfway across the country! Why the heck would I think you’d stick around long enough to see the baby’s birth?”





Chapter Three

Jake stared at the glossy black door adorned with some kind of bright-green wreath, no doubt purchased at Claire’s floral shop. He hesitated before knocking. Did he really want to ask his sister-in-law and brother for advice? Once he went down that road, there would be no going back. Then again, it wasn’t likely they would leave him alone. After yesterday’s daddy-outing, Holly and Quinn were bound to be looking for him. He might as well get some advice for all his trouble. And right now he needed all the help he could get, especially from Holly. She knew Claire better than anyone.

He didn’t know how he was going to get back into her life. He needed to earn her trust. He had hurt Claire—badly, much more than he thought originally. And now she had booted him out of her baby plans even though he was the damn father. After Claire’s horrifying “presentation” of baby plans A and B last night he’d used up all his energy trying not to yell. They bickered a few more minutes and then he’d finally called it quits. He really didn’t want to yell at the mother of his child. He told her she wasn’t getting rid of him and he was in it for the long haul. She’d given him a smirk that spoke more than she ever could have with words and then he’d left.

He stared at the wreath. Just get it over with, Jake. He raised his tightly clenched fist to knock when the door swung open. Quinn stood there with an absurdly wide grin. “So you got a minister’s daughter pregnant. I have to say, Jake, even for you this is an all-time low.”

Jake glared at him and clenched his teeth. By the time this whole mess was sorted out he’d probably have to see his dentist for all the teeth-grinding he was doing. Had Ella not appeared at that moment and barreled into his legs, Jake would have hurled a few choice curses Quinn’s way.

“Uncle Zake!”

“Hi, sweetie,” he said, hoisting her into his arms. She was smiling at him, and he was grateful for that unconditional support. At least they hadn’t turned her against him. Holly suddenly appeared behind Quinn’s shoulder. She reached out and yanked Jake forward, bunching up his shirt in her hand. He had no idea his tiny sister in-law had that kind of strength. He ignored Quinn’s laughter as he stumbled into their always-spotless entryway. Holly let go of him and stood with her arms crossed in front of her chest and a frown on her pretty face. His brother was grinning like an idiot.

“Alright, Jake, care to tell me why my best friend has not returned any of my calls?”

“Can we go in the kitchen? I need caffeine before we get into this.”

Jake punched Quinn on the arm as he passed him. “Thanks a lot,” he muttered under his breath.

“No, no, no. No hit Daddy,” Ella said, wagging her finger at him. Jake gave her a kiss on the forehead.

“You’re right, Ella-Bella,” he said, trying to look contrite.