“No.” My response is hasty as I shove those thoughts away. “No. I’m not seeing anyone.”
“That’s a pity.” She tilts her head. “Have you seen Jake since he’s been back?”
My entire body freezes. Have I seen Jake? Heat creeps up my chest. I’ve seen every inch of him from his sculpted chest, eagle tattoo between his abdomen and…
“No.” I swallow hard over the dryness. Don’t think about how gorgeous he is. Or how good he made you feel. It was an illusion.
Her brows furrow. Deeply. “You haven’t seen Jake? That surprises me since you work in buildings on the same block. Weren’t you there when that kid broke his wrist?”
“Yes,” I cough as the heat floods up my face, starting and my cheeks and running its way to the tips of my ears. “Yes,” I clear my throat.
Of course, she didn’t mean, have you seen him in the carnal sense or even in the dating sense. Or in the flesh. Whatever you do, don’t think about his flesh. All that golden, glorious flesh.
“I’m sorry. I’m flustered from a case we had earlier.” I wave my hand dismissively when she looks like she’s going to ask what has me upset. It’s Brookhaven, for God’s sake. Everyone wants to know everyone’s business. “It’s nothing. Of course, I’ve seen Jake. Earlier today, even. We’re bound to run into each other since he’s a police officer, and I’m a paramedic. And with Jake and Kaleb still being friends. And he visits Mom…”
What in the fuck? She knows all these things. You sounded like an idiot with verbal diarrhea.
I snap my mouth shut as another waitress sashays past us, giving me a wink and a smirk. “Hey, Em.”
“Hey.” I gave her a weak smile. I need to go. Everyone’s going to think I’m pressing Hannah for information about Jake, or for her to put in a good word about me to him.
“Shit.” I glance at my wrist. “I’ve got to go.”
“See you around.” She smiles as I turn on my heel.
“Right.” Not if I see you first. I brace my hand against the door, showing off my bare wrist. I groan as I close my eyes. I don’t even have on my fucking watch.
Go. Don’t look back. Just go. I shove the door open and slam into someone, knocking the woman backward. She toddles on her heels before straightening as the door shuts behind me.
Amanda’s cold eyes glare at me. “Watch where you’re going.” She sniffs and curls her lip. “You reek of grease and desperation. As usual.” The cruel expression on her face makes my skin crawl.
I bite my lips together. Of course, I’d have messy hair from working all day and burgers for my mom and me in my hand while she’s wearing three-inch heels, a tight-fitted red skirt, and a white blouse. Makeup done to perfection. Not a hair out of place.
I squint. Except one. A strand of her blonde hair sticks out, practically waving as she adjusts her stance. I must’ve knocked that one loose when I ran into her.
“Excuse me.” I nod as I attempt to step past her.
“You should watch where you’re going. And cut down on the carbs,” she scoffs with the turn of her head.
She’s perfect. Well, except for that wavy strand of hair that the wind catches, sending the strands even straighter. Should I tell her? She’s the kind of person who’d be horrified to be seen as less than perfect.
Fuck that. This is the woman Jake is seeing tomorrow night. I straighten my shoulders. “Enjoy your day,Amanda.”
The corners of my lips twitch upward as I spin and walk away. I hope she goes all over town with that stupid curl dangling like a bugger hanging off the end of her nose.
“You’re such a coward. Always too afraid to say what you want. Well, I’m not a coward like you. Stay away from Jake Thompson. You aren’t woman enough for him now any more than you were girl enough for him years ago.”
Fucking bitch. My shoe scuffs along the sidewalk, but I don’t look back. If Jake likes a bitch like her. They deserve each other.
Chapter Forty
Jake
The Next Day
I sit across from Chief Carter’s desk, resting my ankle on the opposite knee. “We’re no closer today than we’ve been since the baby was found. I’ve questioned Mackenzie twice, and she continues to deny that the baby is hers.”
Chief Carter leans forward and rests his hands on his desk. “And you believe her?”
