Page 34 of Love You Like This

“You don’t have to walk me to the door,” I say quietly. “It’s literally right there.”

He gives me an annoyed sideways glance and gets out.

I walk to my front door and pull my key out. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner. It was nice to see your dad.”

“Of course. He probably loves you more than he loves me.”

My lips lift and fall just as fast. “He does not.”

Just as I unlock my door and move to open it, Xander puts his hand over mine. “I’m serious, Jade. I want a second chance more than I want anything else in the world. Tell me what to do.”

I don’t want to tell him what to do. I don’t even know if there’s anything he can do to change my mind. Plus, there are so many things he should be thinking about that have nothing to do with me.

“I think the only thing you should be thinking about is the baby you could possibly have.”

He rolls his eyes. “For the last time, it isn’t mine.”

“Really? Did you not sleep with her?” I cross my arms over my chest. “Because that’s the only way I can think of to ensure you don’t put a baby in someone.”

“No, I did fuck her.”

Knife meet chest. Fuck, it hurts to hear him say those words. Not that I’ve been celibate. But still, I don’t parade my lovers around like trophies.

“But I couldn’t have impregnated her. I had a vasectomy.”

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. He obviously doesn’t owe anyone his medical history, but he could have said something sooner. “When?”

“In my early twenties. There was a scare with a girl at Juilliard. Not to mention, I also always use condoms.”

I can think of one time he didn’t use them.

“Does Darren know?”

“Yeah, apparently there is a very, extremely slight possibility of failure years after the procedure and condoms can fail, so he wants to push forward with the DNA test just to be sure. But I fucking know it isn’t mine.”

“Oh.” I stare at my doorknob. “Okay,” I nod. “That’s good. Thanks for sharing this information.” I push the door open.

“Jade.”

I turn as he stays on the other side of the threshold and look up at him.

“I’m not giving up.”

My stupid heart flutters with hope. Instead of responding, I quietly close the door. I don’t hear his footsteps walk away until I flick the deadbolt closed. His words echo in my mind for the rest of the night.

Fourteen

JADE

Present

Hazel is waiting for me when I pull into Stone’s driveway to pick her up for brunch with the girls. Her long, dark hair falls over her shoulders in loose waves as she gets into my car.

“Good morning,” I say as she shuts the door.

“Hey.” She starts to fasten her seatbelt. “Before we leave am I dressed alright for where we’re going?”

“Yeah, this place is super casual. You look like a rock star’s girlfriend.”