“I know. But if we can’t be together, then I need to live somewhere near him so the baby will grow up knowing who his father is.”
“And that means we’ll get no chance to see the baby…” Bella bit her bottom lip, her eyes watering. “And we’ll lose you too.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know about Riley, but I promise you, all of you, that I’ll make sure you get to see this baby grow. And that he will know that he has all of you…”
My eyes were now back on Zahra. She hadn’t said anything and was just looking at me.
We stared at each other for a while before she nodded her head and flashed me a loving smile. “I know you love my son. So if you want to try it, go for it. But I want you to know that no matter what happens, we are here. Okay? I’ll pick you up wherever you are and take you back home here, even in the middle of the night. Just let me know.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks again as I nodded. “Thank you! I haven’t really decided when I should go or if I were really to do this, but I just want you to know that if I go, it doesn’t mean I didn’t want to be here with you… it’s just…”
“Sssh… You don’t need to explain, sweetheart. We understand.” Zahra said.
“It’s just that we’re not Riley, right? I wonder when I will get to meet that guy so I can understand what makes him so special.” Ellie said, a teasing smile on her lips.
“Can I come with you?” Bella blurted out, and my eyes widened.
“No,” Leandro said. And all eyes shifted to him. “Not that I don’t want you to meet your brother. But I don’t think he will appreciate it if you just barge in there without notice, plus we are not even sure what will happen if Nadia returns there. They need to fix things between them first. And you showing up there and saying ‘Hi, I’m your sister’—won’t help them at all.”
Chapter 68
NADIA.
After breakfast with theGraysons, Zahra drove me to the diner before she went off to her work.
Lunchtime was just over, and the crowd was starting to calm down. I am tired and I still have four hours to go. But at least I would have my lunch in thirty minutes. I could get my rest.
I was scouting the whole diner if there were any booths that needed to be cleaned so I could tell Johanna, but it looked like everything had been handled.
I was about to go back to the counter when the door opened. My instinct told me to turn around and welcome the customer, but I didn’t expect to see the person who had just come in.
My heart leaped when I saw Dominic. He flashed his boyish smile, and I suddenly forgot where I was. All I was thinking was that if he was here, Riley must be behind him.
I moved forward and hugged him tightly before I got hold of myself. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just got excited.”
He laughed before he bowed his head slightly at me. “I’m glad to see you, Luna. I mean Nadia.”
“Me too! Is Riley with you?” I asked him excitedly, my head peering from his side to look behind him, but I didn’t see anyone, even on the outside.
He shook his head, his lips pursing into a thin line, and my heart dropped, and I was sure my face too. I felt my eyes water, but I forced a smile.
“So you just came in to try the food here, right? Would you like a place by the window or something more private inside? “ I asked him, trying to sound casual, but my heart was a total mess.
“I was wondering if we could talk?”
“I’m still at work, but I’ll be on lunch in thirty minutes, if you can wait then we can talk by then.”
“That sounds good. Then I’ll wait here.”
I motioned with my hand and guided him to an available booth. “Do you want me to get you something to eat? Coffee? Soda? Milkshakes?”
“Hmmm… I saw some blueberry pies there, so I think I want one and a coffee please.”
“Okay. Coming up, sir.” I smiled at him before I turned around and headed for the kitchen.
I wondered if he heard the heartbeat? But probably not, because the diner’s music was on. And I hope I was right because I didn’t want him to tell Riley before I did.
After serving him his order, I proceeded to continue with my work and immediately slipped off my apron after thirty minutes.
