Of all the things they could’ve talked about, JJ hated talking about Baz’s relationship with Molly, but she didn’t know what else there was. It was different when they were at work or out and about. When they were at the apartment, they could talk about television shows and movies they liked or hated. They could have lengthy debates over them, even.
Sometimes JJ would get so caught up in the moment, it was as though they were still a couple, still enjoying the getting-to-know-you phase of their relationship. Only that damn phone would ring and Molly’s name would appear and JJ would be reminded all over again that they weren’t. Never would be.
Once they were seated at a table and had ordered drinks, JJ pretended to mull over the menu while giving Baz ample time to do the same. When the waitress returned, she rattled off her choice, then listened as Baz once again ordered a double bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries. That was his go-to meal and he ordered it every time, without fail.
“I’m gonna get you to try somethin’ else one of these days,” she promised, hoping to get his mind off the phone call he had avoided a few minutes ago.
“Not if it has liver in the name, you’re not.”
She smiled, took a sip of her tea. “How’s your dad doin’? I heard you talkin’ to him earlier? They make it through the storm okay?”
“They did. Weathered it in Cancun, actually.”
“Cancun?” JJ’s eyes widened. “Well. How aboutthat?”
She recalled the days of no water and wondering when the electricity would go back off after coming on for a couple of hours at a time. She’d gotten pretty good at predicting it, her electronics plugged in and ready for when it did. The worst part for her had been the spotty cell service since she’d been utilizing her phone’s hot spot to continue researching while she toughed it out.
“They travel a lot,” Baz said. “A trip every few months. He says it keeps them young.”
It kept them something, JJ figured.
“And your mom? You talk to her?”
“Every day through the storm. She’s good. Had to work from home, which damn near killed her.”
JJ watched his eyes light up when he talked about his mother. She envied the relationship Baz had with his parents. It was a far cry from the one she had with her own. Hell, she’d texted them during the storm but hadn’t gotten a message back for a couple of days. From either. Which was saying something considering they hated one another as much as they hated her.
His phone buzzed again, the screen lighting up with Molly’s name.
“You should answer it,” she said, reaching for her own phone as though that might give him enough privacy to have the conversation.
Baz sighed. “If I don’t, she’ll just keep callin’.”
Oh, JJ was well aware of that. The woman called a few dozen times a day. And if he didn’t answer, it was usually once every twenty minutes or so. The only reason she didn’t show up was because Molly didn’t know where he lived or worked. A wise choice on Baz’s part.
“Hello,” Baz answered, head down, eyes on the table. “Yep. I know you called.”
JJ pretended to be skimming her text messages, but there was nothing new aside from some great buys on bedroom furniture at Wayfair.
“And I told you I’d call you later.” He sighed. “I doubt it, Molly. I’ve been workin’ all day and I just want to go home and sleep.”
JJ couldn’t make out what was being said, but she could hear Molly’s voice. Not for the first time, she wondered what the woman looked like. What type was Baz drawn to normally?
“No, I’m out right now.” His head lifted, eyes meeting hers. “Yes. I’m with … a friend.”
She met his stare, held it, hating herself for wondering what he was thinking. Did it make her a bad person to be grateful he didn’t seem to be infatuated with this woman? Hell, he didn’t seem to like her much at all.
The petty side of her wanted to grab the phone from Baz’s hand and tell Molly to leave him alone. That side didn’t care that the woman was pregnant with Baz’s baby, she just wanted to banish her from Baz’s life.
But the rational side said this was how things were going to be. The most she would ever have with Baz was friendship, and she had to be happy with that. Sometimes JJ wished she could be a bigger person, that she could consider having a relationship with a man with a child. Perhaps she could if the man already had children when they met. But Baz … no, she knew her heart would never be capable of sharing him with Molly and her baby.
“I’ll call you later,” he said firmly, then disconnected.
“If you need to go see her, I can call an Uber.”
Baz’s teal-blue eyes darkened. “I’ve told you, it’s not like that with her.”
Yes, he’d explained a couple of times that the only reason he was talking to Molly at all was for the baby.
