‘I—’ She couldn’t seem to make her brain and mouth work together fast enough before he began to back away.
‘This was what that argument with Susie was about, wasn’t it? The day she left and I walked into the room. I knew there was something off about it all.’
‘I’d only just found out.’
‘I can’t believe you knew about it and didn’t tell me.’
‘Susie was supposed to tell you,’ she blurted. ‘Only she took off!’
‘Then you should have stepped up and done it. Instead, you hid it from me—you’re no better than she is.’
‘Now hold on,’ Jenny said stiffly. She hadnotbeen the one who’d abandoned a baby. She was not even in the same league as his sister … or mother … or whatever the hell she was. ‘That isn’t fair.’
‘Really?’
‘Nick, I know you’re hurting right now, and probably in shock—’
‘You think? You should have told me, Jen. I can take being lied to from anyone else—but not you. You, I trusted.’
‘I didnotlie to you.’
‘You’ve had all this time since finding out, yet you haven’t said a word.’
‘I didn’t … I wasn’t sure how to …’ God! Bloody Susie! This was all her fault. If Jenny hadn’t witnessed first-hand the terror in the woman’s eyes that day when Nick had walked in the room, she’d swear she’d planned all this as a way to make some serious trouble between them. It was even more infuriating that this was some kind of happy accident for Susie.
Jenny took a calming breath and tried for a civilised tone. ‘Susie left me to do her dirty work. I wasn’t prepared for it—and I’ve been sick ever since, knowing that Iwasgoing to have to tell you and how that would affect you. I didn’t hold back the news to hurt you. I just had no idea how I was going to break it to you.’
‘You should have told me as soon as you knew,’ he said quietly.
‘I know. You’re right. I should have. I’m sorry.’ There was no point being angry that he was blaming her—she already knew he was just lashing out at the only person available, but that was easier said than done, and his anger still stung.
She reached out to take his hand again but he stepped away.
‘I can’t do this right now, Jen. I just need some time and space.’
‘Time and space?Okay. Any idea how long we’re talking?’
‘Honestly, Jen?’ he said quietly. ‘I’m not sure.’
His empty tone stabbed at her heart—a sharp, white-hot pain that momentarily stopped her breath.
Jenny watched him walk around the car and get in without a word and drive away.
