Charlie's eyebrows came together in confusion. “I can understand her not wanting DNA tests done before the baby is born. There are some risks involved doing it prenatally. An ultrasound is harmless though.” As she spoke she unfolded her arms and rested her hands on the table just inches away from his hands.
“Our lawyers have talked multiple times. She refuses. Of course Marcy Blake didn't mention any of that in the article.” Jake picked up his fork and stabbed a piece of meat wishing it was the reporter's head instead.
Jake ate as he waited for Charlie to respond. Even though he was anxious to know her thoughts, he didn't want to push her. Regardless of what he told her, it still came down to his word against the media. A dull ache formed around his heart. Maybe if they'd known each other longer she would be more willing to accept his side of the story.
After finishing half the meat on his plate, Jake turned his attention to the roasted potatoes. He had a forkful in his mouth when Charlie finally spoke.
“What are you going to do next?” Her voice sounded more normal. Much of the coldness he'd heard before was gone. “You could wait till the baby is born.”
He swallowed the food and shrugged. “I don't know yet. My lawyer is looking into my options.” Jake didn't want to discuss how he was going to handle this problem with Blair. Instead he wanted to know where he stood with her. Eventually everything with Blair would be settled even if it did take several months. But he needed to know if she believed him enough to stick around and learn the truth. “I'm meeting with him again next week.”
Charlie fell silent again and Jake could almost see her brain processing everything as she studied him.
“Charlie I know you have no reason to believe me.” He reached out, lacing her fingers with his. “But if I thought the baby could be mine, I'd try to smooth things over with Blair. I would want to be a part of my child's life. But I don't believe her. The timing is all wrong, and she's too uncooperative.”
She wanted to believe him. Everything she'd learned about him so far told her that he wasn't the type of man who would abandon a child. Then again her mother had probably thought the same thing about her father. At the same time she couldn't help but think of the scandal from the previous year with Jake's half-sister Callie. Sure Warren Sherbrooke claimed Callie's mother never told him about the pregnancy. Who really knew the truth though? Callie's mom was dead. Had it been a similar situation? Was Jake merely following in his father's footsteps?
On the other hand all the evidence he'd given her did seem to support Jake's claim, and since their first meeting he hadn't given her any reason not to trust him.
Why would his ex lie about this though? Blair had to know the truth would come out at some point. There was no way it wouldn't.
“If you want me to leave just say the word.” He released her hand and pushed his chair back. The sound of the chair legs scraping across the tile floor was the only sound in the room.
She caught the hurt in his voice and knew she'd caused it. So far she hadn't given him any indication of where she stood on the issue and she probably wasn't the only one doubting him right now.
You're having fun with him, not marrying him. If it turns out he's lying it's not your problem. Charlie reached for his hand and tried to block out the nagging voice in her head that kept telling her if it did turn out to be true she'd be devastated.
“No. I want you to stay.”
He squeezed her fingers tightly. “You believe me?” There was a slight tinge of wonder in his voice.
Pushing aside the tiny inkling of doubt, she nodded. “You've haven't given me any reason not to.”
For the first time since arriving, a true smile spread across Jake's face and Charlie nearly forgot to breathe. He always looked handsome, but his smile had a magnetism all its own. It almost seemed unfair to the entire female population. Honestly, how could any woman resist him?
“I missed you. I couldn't wait to get up here this weekend to see you.” As he spoke he caressed her palm with his thumb. The gentle touch sent shivers up her arm.
“Missed me or my mom's cooking? You seemed to enjoy that quite a bit when you were here last time.” She couldn't help but tease him because it accomplished two things. One it lightened the atmosphere, and two it drew her attention away from the feelings his admission sparked in her. True, men she'd dated in the past had told her they missed her but the words had never made her feel all warm and tingly before. Jake's words did just that.
“Both, but maybe the cooking just a bit more.” Jake answered with a trace of laughter in his voice.