That was when Jules walked in the kitchen. She said, “Can I help with the cake?” But her expression was not friendly.
Jack straightened, sliding his hands down my sides one last time. Then he meandered out of the kitchen, unbothered by Jules walking in on our intimate moment.
Jules was bothered though.
When she turned her icy blue eyes on me, I wanted tovanish.
She came close so she could speak quietly.
“Miranda, we used to be friends.”
I froze, mid cake-cut, and looked at her face.
“I used to think you were an amazing person. Was so happy Jack found someone like you.” She shook her head. “Jack is one of the smartest, most intuitive people I know. But right now”—moisture filled her eyes—“I’m watching his blind spot. He doesn’t want to believe you would hurt him on purpose. But I know what’s going on here.”
The knife trembled in my grip.
“Kacey is Jack’s. Pat and I knew the truth ten seconds after we met him. I gave you the benefit of the doubt, but tonight…” She pressed her lips together. “He shares so many of Jack’s features.” Her voice shook, picking up speed and emotion as she went. “What I don’t know iswhyyou would do this.”
My vision blurred, and nausea pressed against my throat.
“I know you two have bad history, but Jack is an amazing man who deserves to be part of his son’s life. The fact—the fact you’re in his house, with his secret son, using him? For money?” A tear leaked out of her eye as her bottom lip trembled with a frown. “I just can’t believe you’d do something like that.”
I swallowed the sobs gathering in my chest.
Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
“And the worst part, when all this comes out, Jack is going to get hurt. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see how crazy he is about you. He’s never gotten over you, and you are going to break himagain.”
Hot tears streamed down my face.
“I thought more of you, Miranda. I really did.” She wiped her cheeks with the sleeve of her sweater. “But this is…this is wrong. So very wrong.”
“Jules”—I cleared the emotion in my throat—“you don’t know what happened. I spent years?—”
She held her hands out to stop me. “I don’t need to know the past. Despite whatever happened between you two, there isnothingthat makes this situation okay. You’ve been together for three weeks.”
She wasn’t wrong.
She sniffed, straightened, wiping her eyes again. “I’m going to tell him. If he doesn’t know in two days, I’m going to call and tell him.”
I couldn’t breathe. My heart hurt so much.
“I used to be the type of person who would have just blurted the truth to a roomful of people. Even though you deserve that, I’ve changed. Two days is generous. I don’t want to be the one to tell him, but if I have to, I will.”
She walked out as I stood there, knife still suspended over the top of the strawberry cake. I’d been so excited about trying a piece, but as soon as I was done serving plates, I retreated to the upstairs bathroom, locking the door behind me. A bit of frosting was on my finger and I washed it down the drain.
Jack showered after the Moores left, and I hustled to get Kacey into bed. I needed to get him in bed and talk to Jack before Jules changed her mind. It had taken all my strength to come down the stairs to retrieve Kacey for his bedtime routine without disintegrating with fear.
I tried to talk Kacey into water in his sippy cup before bed, but he was a stickler for milk. He wasn’t going to fall asleep without it. So I crept down the stairs, hoping—praying—Jackwas still in the bathroom. I filled his cup, but as I was turning for the stairway, Jack opened the bathroom door. He came out, wearing only sweatpants and a towel draped around his neck. His smile was eager. Too sweet. Too much.
My eyes filled with tears again. They stung.
I am a horrible, horrible person.
He came and wrapped his arms around me. Which was the worst thing he could possibly do. My heart plummeted. Poor Jack. I didn’t want to disappoint him a second time. Heat climbed my neck as Jack kissed the top of my head. My arms couldn’t hug him back. There was no way I could delay another minute in telling Jack. I already felt like I was about to faint.
“You getting Kacey in bed?”
