Jenny came to stand beside her. “But how do you really feel about it?”
“I feel like…like maybe this is a crossroads.” Maybe a test. Would Jake ask her to stay? Did she want him to? Just when she started to believe in love, she had a chance at everything she wanted. Only maybe it wasn’t everything she wanted anymore.
Chapter 31
Jake passed under the old-world stone archway to enter the restaurant. Known for their steak and with a rich ambiance, he was happy to bring Paige here, a little jealous that Simon had done the pickup. He checked in with the hostess just as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out as he followed her through a dim room of white tablecloth–covered tables.
Glancing at the screen, he smiled at the message from Lynn.
Drugs are good. I’ll text you when it’s over.
“Hey, you made it,” Paige said as he reached the table of three.
JT thanked the hostess and lowered himself into the booth. “I did.” He pressed a kiss to her lips that went on just a touch too long, but he didn’t care.
Paige slid the breadbasket toward him. “How’s Lynn?”
“Good, I think. Just got a text.” He read it to the table. Paige laughed, Jenny looked like she was processing the message he’d just read. Simon froze with a hunk of bread halfway to his mouth.
He studied his friend. “What?”
“Um…” Simon cleared his throat. “Well, we were going to make a big announcement but—”
Jenny squeaked, and a burst of unspoken excitement passed between she and Paige.
Simon shook his head. “You told her, didn’t you?”
“I did. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it!” Jenny beamed up at Simon, then at them. “We’re pregnant!”
“Stealing my thunder here, babe.” Simon shook his head in mock disappointment, but the man was clearly anything but disappointed. “That’s okay, baby. You tell whoever you want.” He kissed her cheek.
“Well, I’m surprised,” JT said. “Congrats, man, and good job keeping it to yourself. I didn’t know you had it in you to keep a secret. As soon as I get a drink, we’ll toast.”
JT watched Paige as Jenny swept her up in wedding plans and baby excitement. Would Paige be that happy to be pregnant with his baby? He knew he would be. Thanks to her, he was able to picture that, and want that without a choking guilt. A warmth flowed through his blood as the idea grew. Getting the news, watching the baby grow inside her, watching over her as his wife. His pregnant wife.
A smile tugged at his lips, picturing Casey. She’d be delirious with excitement. Like Christmas. And he hadn’t had a Christmas with her. Maybe wouldn’t now.
Again, he pictured his girls happy in Virginia. Paige wouldn’t work so hard. They’d live in the kind of house she dreamed of, and she would have it on her terms, working for it herself. She was so smart and capable, and so young. She deserved a chance to go after her dream.
He glanced up and caught Simon’s thoughtful look, but their waiter arrived for drink orders.
“So, how did he do it?” Paige asked as the waiter left.
“Propose or get me pregnant?” Jenny laughed, her body practically wrapped around Simon’s in the booth. “He told me he was in love with me and wanted me to have his babies.”
Simon grinned at JT over his beer. “See? Not complicated. Just simple and honest.”
Somehow he didn’t think it would be that simple with Paige.
“Then I told him we had a head start on that last part and you should have seen his face!”
JT grinned. “You should have seen his face when Lynn said her water broke.”
They laughed and ate, they talked about Lynn and wedding plans. What they didn’t talk about was his and Paige’s future. She didn’t bring it up, not that he expected her to.
The food in his mouth was getting harder and harder to swallow, wondering what Paige thought about Hannah’s offer. If Hannah had made the offer. He didn’t even know if she had. Had Hannah decided not to call her? Maybe he hadn’t been convincing enough. If that was the case, what the hell would he do? He couldn’t keep it from her.
She might go and decide she didn’t like it. She might go and miss him and come home resenting their relationship. He could tell her he loved her, beg her to marry him, forcing her to choose between fulfilling her dreams and love. At least, he thought she loved him.
By the time they finished dessert and got the check, he was wound so tight he thought his teeth would crack. They needed to talk.
—
She and Jake parted ways with Simon and Jenny in the parking lot. It was a nice evening, comfortable after the heat of the day with a breeze strong enough to sweep the hair back from her face. They were both quiet, walking hand in hand to Jake’s SUV. The warmth and security of it was also confusing. Just a few weeks ago, before Jake, a choice like this would have been easy.