“Well, if you’re going to inseminate yourself with someone’s sperm, you’dhopeit was golden.”
She rolled her eyes. “I told you, I’m not doing that.”
“Why aren’t you?”
Because of you.
The silent words hummed in her head. And they were true. It was why it had never really been an option. Just something she’d wanted to explore because shedidwant a baby, and she and Colt were separated.
But…she couldn’t. Not without Colt.
“It’s just not for me.” She kicked a rock down the sidewalk. “Even if it was, I don’t think I could go through with all the injections and hormones and procedures again. Maybe I’m just not meant to carry my own baby.” The words hurt. So much that her chest felt tight once they were out.
“Hey. This isn’t the end of your journey to becoming a mother, Cricket. Don’t lose hope.”
She swallowed, wanting to believe him. “I ran into your mom in the store the other day.”
“You did?”
“Mm-hmm. She didn’t tell you?”
“No. But I haven’t seen much of her these last few days. She’s been a bit off.”
“Off how?” And did it have something to do with the man in the grocery store?
“Just acting strange. She’s been checking in a lot, but really short conversations. She said something about Ben visiting.”
Indie looked up at Colt. “Ben, as in your mom’s security guy?” At least, that’s what Sylvia called him, but he was more part of the family than an employee. Plus, he was getting a bitold to be security. He visited Sylvia often, staying with her for stretches of time. Colt had known him since he was eight.
Colt nodded, almost like he was stuck in his head. “Yeah. What did she say when you ran into her?”
Sylvia’s words played over in her head again.
Did you date while you were separated? Or was that just Colt?
She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Actually, she told me you dated over the last year.”
He grabbed her arm, stopping her on the sidewalk. “What?”
“Yeah. Audrey from high school and a woman named Savannah in California.” Both names left a sour taste in her mouth. They shouldn’t. Audrey was lovely, and this Savannah person was probably no different.
“She said that?” Colt growled.
“I didn’t believe it.” But obviously her subconscious did if she was dreaming about it. “But I did break up with you, so if you wanted to date other women—”
“Idid notwant to date other women—which is exactly why I didn’t. It’s not even remotely true.”
Of course not. It was another way for Sylvia to hurt her.
“My mother’s friends with Audrey’s mother,” Colt said, stepping closer. “When she was moving into her house, her mom asked me to help. I did. There was Burt’s pizza as a thank you, and that was it.”
Her tummy did a strange roll at the thought of Colt eating pizza alone with Audrey.
“Cricket.”
She looked up.
“Did you hear me mention Burt’s pizza?”
