Chapter 26
There was no denying I was nervous about my upcoming morning with Clayton, and I was a bit annoyed with how he’d handled his invitation. First, he’d invited me to have coffee with him.
All good there.
We’d decided on a day and time. Easy. Then he’d dropped the bombshell. . . would I mind if his daughter came?
What was I going to say?
Asthe minutes ticked along until he picked me up, my stomach wouldn’t stop churning.The chances of getting any food down were diminishing by the second.
WhilstI loved spending time with Clayton,the idea ofmeeting his daughter terrified me.Dozensof unanswerable questions shot through my brain.
Was it too soon to meet her?I mean, afterall, Clayton andI’dhad only been on a couple of dates.
What if she didn’t like me?
What if she did?
Would she ask me if I was going to be her next mother? Faarrrk!
I paced my apartment. I was too young to be the mother of a seven-year-old girl. Actually, no—that wasn’t true. I was certainly old enough in years, but I was too young in experience with children. I had no idea what I was doing. The only kids I’d had any time with were Lolita’s children, Savanah and Maddox,and those kidswere amazing.
I glanced at the cow-patterned clock on my wall. It was time. I inhaled a few deep breaths, ran my sweaty palms down my skirt, grabbed my bag, and strode out the door before I changed my mind.
As I rode the elevator, I practiced smiling, and the more my lips trembled, the more the acid in my stomach twirled. “Hi,” I said to my pale reflection. “I’m Jane, a friend of your daddy’s.”
Friend.Yes, that’s what I am. His friend. Not girlfriend. Just friend.
The doors pinged open, and with each pace I made across the lobby, I forced confidence into my stride and an upbeat attitude into my brain.
It was overcast outside. . . as gloomy as my thoughts. Clayton waited beside his Audi and waved at me the second I arrived at the top of the stairs. As usual, he looked stunning—every bit the handsome, available professional he was. I arrived at his side, and heleaned in to kissmy cheek.
“Hello, gorgeous.” His cologne was lovely, with just the right amount of floral and spice.
“Hey, how are you?”
“I’m great.” He opened the back door of the car. “This’s Telitha.” The little girl beamed, all blonde hair and pink cheeks. Sheactuallylooked happy to see me.
“Hi, Telitha. I’m Jane.”
“Hi. You look so pretty.”
“Oh, thank you.”
I glanced at Clayton.He was beaming too, and it was easy to seethe resemblance between the two of them.
He turned to me. “Are you hungry?”
“Always.”
“Good. Let’s get going then.” He shut the back door and opened the passenger one for me.
I gathered my skirt and slipped into the leather seat.
“How old are you?” Telitha had moved forward, so she leaned between the two front seats.
I cleared my throat. “I’m twenty-nine. How old are you?”
“I’m seven and a half; my birthday is in February. When’s your birthday?”
“Mine was in July.”
“Have you been married before?”
Clayton slipped into the driver’s seat. “Telitha, sit back, honey.”
Thank God Clayton saved me. However, it looked like I was in for the Spanish Inquisition.
He put the car into gear and pulled onto the empty road. “How was your night shift?”
“It wasn’t too bad.Abit quieter than I like it though.Did you work today?”
“No, Daddy and I took Clancy down to the beach. She’s my dog. It was fun. You should come with us next time.”
Clayton turned to me. The pride on his face was undeniable. There was an awkward pause before I realized he was waiting for my answer.
“Umm, well, that would be nice.”
The questions didn’t stop, and I was mentally exhaustedby the timeClayton pulled the car into a parking space overlooking Mermaid Beach.
“I hope you don’t mind going to the surf club. Telitha likes the playground here.”
“Sounds great.”
He stepped onto the pathway that wove through the bush, and Telitha grabbed his hand. She wiggled her fingers at me, and as I stepped forward, she clutched my hand, too. We looked like the perfect wholesome family as we walked along with the pretty little girl in the bright pink dress skipping between us.
It was both weird and cute at the same time. Every glance Clayton sent my way showedjusthow pleased he was with how things were going.
“The coffee here is excellent,” he said as we reached the sign-in counter.
“Oh, good. I need a caffeine fix.”
We entered through the glass doors, climbed the stairs, and passed the poker machines, and heguided me toward a table alongside enormous glass windows that overlooked the ocean.The scenery was stunning and wouldperfectlysuit any five-star restaurant.
Telitha grabbed my hand, and before I knew it,I was being tugged along by the seven-year-old. I glanced over my shoulder, but Clayton just smiled making it obvious he had no intention of rescuing me. She pushed through a glass door, and we stepped ontoartificial grass that wassoft and spongey.
“Watch me.” Telitha squealed and dashed off toward a bright yellow ladder. Several moments later, she came tumbling down a spiral slide and rolled out at my feet.
“See.” She jumped up and down in front of me as if I hadn’t noticed her.
“Yes, I saw you.”
“Hey, you two. How about we order first?” Clayton’s voice was a relief.
Telitha dashed back through the door, and Clayton reached for my hand. “I’m sorry,” he said. “She was a bit excited to meet you.”
“Oh.” I had no idea what to say. What had he told her about me that would make her excited?
We arrived at the cake counter, and the extensive selection was medicine to my eyes. My mouth salivated as I gazed over one sugar fix to the next, trying to ascertain whichonewould make me feel better.
I couldn’t go past the hummingbird cake. I ordered a slice of that with extra cream and a large cappuccino. The three of usmade our way backto the table, and Telitha sat between Clayton and me.
The little girl hit me with a thousand questions, everything fromdid I havea dog to whydidn’t Ipaint my nails. Clayton barely said a word until our food arrived. Grateful for the reprieve, I tucked into the cake. Between every mouthful, Telitha talked. It was exhausting, and by the time she ran off to the swings again I was ready for the silence.
He reached across the table and wriggled my hand into his. “I’m sorry.Shecan be a little overwhelming.”
I dabbed my napkin over my lips and reluctantly pushed my cake away. “It’s okay. I’m just not used to kids.”
“Once she gets to know you, she’ll settle down.”
Oh, God.“Clayton . . .”
He must have heard the trepidation in my voice as his shoulders slumped, and the smilethat had beenon his face since he picked me up evaporated.
“I’m sorry, Clayton, but I’mjustnot ready for kids.I mean,I’m ready for kids, but I don’t know ifI’m preparedfor a seven-year-old.”
He pulled his hand away and lowered his eyes. I wanted to cry at howdejectedhe looked. His silence was agony.
“She’s adorable, and you’re . . . you’re incredible and amazing and?—”
“A single parent,” he interjected.
I nodded, but he wasn’t looking at me. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have led you on.”
“You didn’t lead me on. We had fun. I’vereallyenjoyed your company.”
“And I’ve enjoyed every second with you too, but it wouldn’t be fair on you or Telitha if we kept seeing each other.” A huge weight lifted off my shoulders onceI’dsaid thatand it served as confirmation that Imade the right decision.
He nodded and looked up at me. “Ireallythought you were the one.”
My heart shattered into a million pieces. “I’m so sorry.”
“No need to be sorry. You’re right. It wouldn’t be fair on Telitha.” He sighed a long, deep sigh and shrugged his shoulders. “I guess I should take you home.”
“No, no. I’ll catch a cab.”
“I insist, Jane.” His squared-out jaw convinced me to give in.
“Okay, thank you.”
“I’ll go get Telitha.”
He stood, and as he walked toward the playground my stomach churned so dramatically,I thought I’d throw up. But when the little girl put her arms around her daddy and squeezed him tightly as she jumped off the slide, I knew I’d done the right thing. Telitha had already been through immense emotional turmoil when her mother had left—I couldn’t put her through that again.It was better to let Clayton go now before we grew tooserious.
Clayton nodded at me once he stepped back through the door, and I grabbed my bag and followed him down the stairs.Telithahadher arms and legswrappedaround him, and as she stared at me with a beautiful grin, she snuggled into his neck.
Life was so cruel sometimes. Hopefully, Clayton will forgive me.
The drive back to the hotel was as long as it was torturousasTelitha barraged me with a dozen questions and Clayton remained stony silent.I’d never been so happy to see the driveway to the hotel, and it took all my might not to jump out before he’d even stopped the car.
I turned to the back seat. “It was lovely to meet you, Telitha.”
“When can I see you again?”
“Oh, ummm . . .”
“Jane’s really busy, honey. She’s got to go now.” Clayton saved me.
“Okay, Daddy.”
I placed my hand on Clayton’s arm, ready to speak, and he opened his side door. Taking his lead, I stepped out of the car, too. We met at the back of thecar.
“Can I at least have a hug?” He opened his arms to me, and I stepped into his embrace.
“I’m sorry, Clayton.”
“It’s okay. I understand.” We pulled apart, and my hands fell into his. “It was fun while it lasted.”
I nodded. “Yes, it was.”
He leaned in, kissed my cheek, and then strodeback aroundto the driver’s side. Seconds later, the Audi moved away, leaving me all alone on the front steps of my hotel.
By the time I arrived at my room, Iwas shattered, both emotionally and physically.
I stripped off, put on my pajamas, and crawled into bed.
It was impossible to suppress my quivering chin, and as I clutched my spare pillow, the tears flowed.
Did I just let areallygood man go?
The answer was a resounding yes.
I hope I don’t regret that decision.