Yes, please, she wanted to yell and be damned with anything she believed in, but instead, she shook her head.
His head lowered, his lips hovering above hers. “I’m not aMr. Pretty, and the sooner you see that, the better. I may smile at pretty women, but that doesn’t mean I want to sleep with them. I’ve left that position open for you.”
The words and the deep voice they were spoken in knocked the breath out of her.
“Morning!” a cheerful voice called into the room.
Dropping his forehead for a beat onto Lauren’s, Jack cursed before letting her go. Using the distraction of the visitor, Lauren put distance between them and sucked air back into her oxygen-starved lungs.
Leah walked into the office, pushing a pram in front of her, looking well-rested and happy compared to the last time Lauren had seen her. Upon spotting Lauren, she paused, then her gaze darted down at the pram. When she looked at Lauren again her eyes looked suspiciously moist. Jack must have told her about Abby.
Leah turned to leave. “Sorry. I see you’re busy, Jack, so I’ll come back later. It’s nice to see you again, Lauren.”
“No, don’t go.” Lauren stopped her.
Leah again glanced inside the pram, looking unsure.
Lauren needed to convince her she didn’t always act like a raving lunatic. So, on shaky legs, she made her way over to the pram. She stopped a couple of feet away from the baby but still couldn’t bring herself to look inside. “Is Emma feeling better?” The question came out through stiff lips.
Lauren felt Jack move up behind her, his warm presence a comforting support, and she couldn’t help but lean back against him.
“Yes, much better, thanks. She had an ear infection, and after a course of antibiotics she’s back to normal.” Leah looked at Jack with wary eyes.
A gurgling sound and squeal came from inside the pram, grabbing Lauren’s attention. She sucked up the courage to look down and saw two blue, shiny eyes staring up at her. A tight pressure squeezed at her heart, but the pain that normally hit every time she saw a baby didn’t hit quite so hard; only a dull ache thumped at her chest. Unable to stop staring at the precious baby, a smile—a real smile, not some semblance of one—spread across Lauren’s face.
Reaching a trembling hand inside the pram, she touched Emma’s velvety soft cheek, and the baby gurgled happily, making Lauren laugh. “You’re so precious, aren’t you, beautiful girl?” she whispered.
For the first time since losing Abby, it didn’t feel like her heart had been ripped out of her chest and torn into tiny pieces. She wasn’t sure what the change was. Maybe it was having the solid presence of Jack standing behind her, silently offering support.
Glancing back up at Leah, she saw her blinking away tears, but pretended not to notice.
“I’m so glad she’s feeling better.”
She turned to Jack and was taken aback by the concern etched on his face. The concern appeared genuine, like he actually cared. She knew if she turned into a blubbering heap again, he’d be there offering comfort. He brushed his hand across her cheek. She leaned into his palm and closed her eyes for a moment, soaking up the affection and concern.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She thought about his question for a moment, then answered, “Yes.” And for the first time since the horrible day she lost her precious Abby, she really meant it.
Chapter Eighteen
When Lauren left to go back to her shop, Jack and Leah, with Emma in tow of course, made their way across the street to grab a coffee. After making their purchase, they strolled along the footpath, past the cafés, and headed toward Lang Park.
Although it was only nine-thirty in the morning, it was already hot. The sky was clear of clouds, and the sun’s rays heated through Jack’s shirt. They passed the swings, where a group of small children played, their mothers watching over them protectively.
Sitting on an empty park bench underneath a Jacaranda tree, they sipped their coffee and watched Emma blink heavily, her eyes finally falling shut.
Leah was the first to speak. “I love what Lauren’s done to the office. I know it’s not finished, but it’s going to look amazing.”
Stretching out his legs, Jack balanced the take-away coffee on his thigh. “I agree. She has
great taste.”
“She sure does,” she said, then nudged Jack in the ribs with her elbow, “with men too.” Jack raised an eyebrow.
“She is totally into you.” When Jack made a noncommittal noise in his throat, she continued. “She is…big time. The way you two looked at each other in the office made sparks fly like fireworks.” She patted his knee. “I’m so happy you’ve finally woken up to yourself and stopped dating the…well, let’s just say, women who don’t deserve you.”
Leah made no secret she didn’t like the women he dated. She wanted him to find the right one and settle down. It was frustrating that Leah and his mother were of the same mind. But he’d never been interested in finding someone who made him want to give up the lifestyle he enjoyed.
