Jemma rolled her eyes at the over-the-top commentary, but her hand hovered over the doorknob for a moment too long.Jasper didn’t miss the hesitation.Nor did Jayla, who bounced in anticipation of whatever game was happening next.
Finally, Jemma took a deep breath and opened the door.
Saif stood there, holding a large paper bag with the unmistakable logo of one of the city’s most famous cheesesteak joints.
Jasper’s eyes widened.“Oh boy!Pat’s Cheesesteaks?Jackpot!”
He bounced to his feet, still holding Jayla, and walked over.With practiced ease, he handed the baby into Saif’s waiting arms and grabbed the bag in exchange.
“Thanks,” he said cheerfully, already heading to the kitchen.“Smells amazing.”
Saif didn’t respond.
His full attention was on the baby now resting in his arms.
Jemma stood to the side, watching the moment unfold with a tight chest.Jayla blinked up at Saif with wide, curious eyes—exactly his eyes.Her small fingers reached out, patting at the dark fabric of his jacket.She didn’t fuss.She didn’t cry.She just… looked.
And Saif looked right back.
It was like the world paused for a beat.
If there had been any lingering doubt about Jayla’s paternity, it disappeared the instant they were side by side.The resemblance was undeniable, uncanny.Father and daughter.Mirrored souls.
Back in the kitchen, Jasper whistled.“Damn, this is alotof food.”He began pulling sandwiches and fries from the bag.“Seven cheesesteaks?And six things of fries?Were you planning to feed the neighborhood?”
Still no reply.
Saif was transfixed.His hand gently cupped the back of Jayla’s head, steadying her as she reached up and tugged his collar with surprising strength.He let her, a quiet smile pulling at his lips.
From the kitchen, Jasper peeked around the corner.He watched Saif and Jayla quietly for a moment, then turned to Jemma, whose expression had softened—though her posture remained stiff, uncertain.
“It looks like you two have things under control,” he said with a mischievous grin.“I’ll leave you to...do whatever it is you need to do.”
And with that, he disappeared into his room, already chewing a bite of cheesesteak.The walls were thin—he’d still hear every word.But he knew enough to give them space.His absence would help.
Chapter 27
Jemma had no idea what to say.
Jasper—the traitor—had promisedminutes agonot to leave her alone with Saif.And yet here she was, standing awkwardly in the middle of her tiny apartment while her ex-lover cradled their daughter like he belonged there.
Technically, Jasper hadn’treallyleft her alone.Jayla was still in the room, babbling and blinking up at Saif with fascination.But Jasper had known what shemeant.And he’d bailed anyway.Which made him a liaranda traitor.
“Would you like to come in?”she asked, her voice thinner than she’d intended.Her hands fluttered to her sides, uncertain, then crossed in front of her as she shifted her weight.Her lips still tingled from the kiss Saif had left her with earlier—and that only made everything worse.
Saif looked up from Jayla, his dark eyes scanning her face before glancing slowly around the cramped space.His expression didn’t change, but she saw it—the subtle flicker of disapproval.He tried to hide it, but she knew him too well.
Whatever.It wasn’thisproblem.
He stepped inside, moving with quiet confidence, and she shut the door behind him.
The scent of warm cheesesteaks filled the apartment, rich and heavy.Jemma’s stomach churned—not from hunger, but from nerves—and she retreated into the kitchen.Peeking into the oversized paper bag, she blinked in disbelief.
“Why did you get so many sandwiches?”she asked, frowning.Mentally, she calculated what the spread must have cost—and winced.That meal was more than her entire weekly grocery budget.
Saif’s response came without hesitation.“Because you and Jasper are too thin.”
She looked up, startled.
