Page 63 of His Fake Fiancé

She pressed the answer button. “Hello?”

“Hey,” Jake said. His deep, smooth voice slid down her spine, sending a cascade of goosebumps in its wake. She had no idea how he managed to turn her into a needy mess with a single word over the phone, but that was the magic of Jake Callahan. “I’m sorry to bother you, because I get that you were needing some space, but…” He blew out a breath and her shoulders hiked up to her ears.

“What is it, Jake?” She tried to keep the panicked note out of her voice and failed miserably.

“Trey just called.” She could imagine him plowing his hand through his hair, pacing the small living room in the guest house.

She held her breath, because there was really only one reason that Jake’s lawyer would call. “And?”

“The judge has made a decision on Olivia’s custody. We’re required in court tomorrow.”

Chapter 19

Jake’s tie felt like it was strangling him. He wanted to take it off, loosen it at the very least, but he couldn’t. It was like four thousand degrees in the courthouse, and he and Claire and Trey had been sitting here for what felt like days.

Trey kept telling them they’d be up soon—a last minute cancellation combined with an upcoming judicial vacation meant their case had been fast tracked, which was good. That meant this whole thing would be over, and then he wouldn’t have to worry about losing Oliva.

He glanced over to where Gina and her boyfriend sat. Jake had finally found out the guy’s name was Josh Davidson. They had their heads together, and he was holding Gina’s hand.

He glanced over at Claire, who sat next to him. He didn’t lean into her or take her hand, because he knew she wouldn’t welcome it. She sat with her back straight, hands folded in her lap, eyes straight ahead. She wore a pretty dress with a black, white, and red geometric pattern on it, and a red cardigan sweater. Her hair was down today, a shimmery golden curtain, the ends hitting just past her shoulders.

The way the light played off the bright red of her sweater and the shiny gold of her hair had his fingers twitching to get a hold of his camera. If he took a shot from down below, with the light behind her, her hair would probably glow like a halo. He could get her to tilt her head, just a bit, let her hair fall so it covered part of her face…

There was a part of him that was surprised she’d actually come today. He’d apologized to her over text earlier in the week, which was cowardly, because he owed her a face to face apology. He just hadn’t worked up the balls to actually do it yet. Not that he’d really had an opportunity.

After she’d left the day of the in-home evaluation, she hadn’t come back. She’d sent him a text, telling him she needed some space, and that she was heading home. Even though it gutted him, he didn’t chase after her. When she didn’t return after a couple of days, he sent her a text, apologizing and asking her to let him know she was okay. She did, with a quick, impersonal message. It was then that he knew he’d fucked up majorly. Like, beyond repair fucked up.

The idea hurt. Way more than he ever expected it would.

Trey elbowed him. “We’re up.”

Shit, he’d let himself get completely distracted. He stood and followed Trey out of the row, his heart lodged in his throat like it had somehow grown spurs.

Claire slipped her hand into his, her skin soft against his. He glanced at her over his shoulder. She gave him a small, hesitant smile, and something in his chest shifted, making it easier to breathe.

They made their way to the front of the courtroom and took their seats at one of the two tables facing the judge. Gina and Josh and their lawyer sat at the other one. Jake glanced around.

Mama and Grace still sat where they’d left them in the gallery, along with his brother Simon. Mama had Olivia in her arms, the baby tucked against her chest, sound asleep, her little thumb stuck in her mouth. He’d been surprised to see all of his family waiting in the kitchen of the main house this morning when he stopped by to grab his best suit. His brothers had all slapped him on the back, wished him luck. Mama and Grace had insisted on coming with him, providing moral support.

He’d wanted to protest, but found the words stuck in this throat. Besides, it felt nice to have people at his back. People who would be there for him. Christ, he’d been such a douche. Taking everyone in his life for granted, for as long as he could remember. He needed to grow the fuck up.

Mama gave him a strained smile, one that made his throat tight. Olivia had become such a vital part of their lives over the last few months. He had no idea what they were going to do if they lost her…

No, no. He was not thinking that way, not putting that bad energy out into the universe. This would work out, just like he’d planned after that first mediation session, when Trey had suggested the whole, traditional family thing. When he’d roped Claire into his scheme. Guilt swam in his stomach, sour and biting.

Gina kept glancing at them, at Olivia, like the baby was true north, and her gaze was a compass needle. The longing in Gina’s eyes made him hurt, an oozing sort of ache that spread through his chest.

Claire’s words from last week came back to him, about how it wasn’t fair to keep Olivia from her mother. About how a girl needed her mother. And he knew how much Claire had struggled growing up without her mom. For some reason, he couldn’t look at Gina anymore, he just couldn’t.

He tore his gaze away, let it bounce around the room for a second.

Noelle Fletcher sat on the far side of the gallery, in the back row, almost hidden. He wouldn’t have seen her if he hadn’t been trying to distract himself. She had her glasses perched on the end of her nose, like before. She was very attractive, now that he actually got a chance to look at her. Really look at her. Her black hair was loose today, the tight curls barely brushing her shoulders. Jake liked it better this way, instead of slicked back in the tight twist thing. He’d love to take shots of her, let the light and shadows play across her smooth brown skin.

And for the first time in forever he actually meant that in the literal sense. Although she was a beautiful woman, probably only a handful of years older than him, he had no desire to sleep with her. And now that he thought about it, he hadn’t wanted to sleep with anyone else, either. Not since that first night he and Claire had almost kissed in the dark.

Trey elbowed him. The jab to his ribs kicked him back to the present. Fuck, he needed to pay better attention. This was important, and he was off daydreaming like a fucking toddler.

The judge flipped through a file and then looked up. She glanced at Jake and then at Gina. “These cases are always very difficult. Custody of a child comes with plenty of parameters and requirements. But, ultimately, it’s what’s in the best interest of the child that the court is interested in.”