Chapter 18
Claire scowled at the sight of Wade. He had a spare key to Albert’s house. Why didn’t he use it to let himself in? She couldn’t ask. Not when he stood there, his broad shoulders slumped, his expression tight.
She drooped against the doorjamb. The ibuprofen had dulled her headache, but every so often, a chill rippled through her, making her shiver.
“Nice sweater.” He entered the room. “Looks like we still have Bella?”
“Were you hoping we wouldn’t?” Ouch. She winced at the sharp response. The last twenty-four hours had been an emotional roller coaster, and he showed up after the ride.
She marched away from the door and past him, her body chilling again. She couldn’t deal with this. Not now.
“Claire.” The door slammed closed. “If it’s about me not showing up…”
Why did it bother her that he didn’t call her Cupcake? She’d hated it at first, but he was always playful then. Now, he sounded serious—like after their intimate last kiss.
“I didn’t mean to be late.”
“Right.” She spun to face him, arms crossed so tightly over her chest it hurt. “Just like you meant to call and check on us all week.”
His jaw tightened. His hands flexed at his sides. “I was busy. You know that.”
“Busy.” The word tasted bitter on her tongue.
“This was just a last-minute inconvenience for you, wasn’t it?
Something to squeeze in between your glamorous meetings and photo ops?
” Her voice—her whole body—shook. “Would you have been late to one of your sets? Or any of those oh-so-important meetings you never seem to miss?”
“I’m here now, okay?”
“So not okay.” She turned on her heel and stomped for the kitchen.
His footsteps followed. “Give me some credit. I’m trying.”
“Trying?” She spun around. “We had one meeting, Wade. One. A date we both knew before we got married. And you couldn’t even show up for that?”
His chest rose and fell beneath his white shirt and black-and-yellow plaid jacket.
He planted a hand on his hip, his stance tense and defensive.
“Do you think this is easy for me? I don’t know how to do this, Claire!
I didn’t ask to be a parent or a husband, but I don’t want Bella in a stranger’s home.
” He gestured broadly. “So yeah, I’m stretched thin.
Everyone wants a piece of me, and I have no clue how to give it all! ”
Of course, he regretted marrying her. Why did his words cut so deep? And ring with an echo from years ago: “You’re better off without me.”
He’d made that excuse when she was eighteen. But now, Bella was why they were standing here.
“I needed you there, Wade.” She didn’t care if he wanted out of their fake relationship, as long as he helped her through the custody battle and continued to lend his support should Bella’s guardianship ever be challenged again.
He huffed and shoved his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what you want from me.”
That seemed to imply she was dragging him down. Her throat closed over, and tears threatened to spill again. No way would she let that happen.
“Bella and I need more than half measures and empty promises.” She tried to keep her voice firm, but the stupid tremor snuck through.
“You have everything under control.” His tone flat now, his shoulders slumped further. “I’ll stay at my parents’ place tonight. If you need me, you know where to find me. Otherwise, I fly out early in the morning.”
“Fine.” She almost bit her lower lip in emphasis.
She turned to the refrigerator and yanked the door open to have something to do with her hands until he left.
The grapefruit reminded her that Dad had wanted it for breakfast. She’d forgotten to cut it for him.
She reached for it and closed the fridge, her back to Wade. Why was he still here?
“You can see yourself out.” She sensed his gaze searing her. The silence stretched until his footsteps sounded against the floor, each thud marking his retreat.
Then the space felt as empty as her heart. The door clicked shut, and a pang slammed through her chest.
She pressed her forehead against the cool fridge door, letting her breath even out, but the tears welled up again. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Not for her. Not for Bella.
Despite her emotions, she had a baby to raise.
Stepping away from the fridge, she rubbed her forehead, and her ring bumped against her skin.
She exhaled a shaky breath and lifted her hand.
The diamonds danced in the afternoon light streaming through the window, mocking her.
“When I learned emeralds symbolize love, hope, and growth”—Wade’s words that once sounded sincere rang in her head—“I knew this had to be your ring.”
Yeah right. He was an actor for crying out loud.
Even if the honeymoon hadn’t ended on a good note, she had taken in the band and engagement rings to be combined.
She stared at the foreign object now, its weight unbearable, suffocating.
She slipped it off, set it on the microwave, and scowled at the gleaming band, a hollow reminder of how their so-called marriage had fallen before it began.
Her phone dinged a text. She dragged herself to the living room where it was charging, her head pounding with every step.
Irina: What should I bring for movie night?
She typed a quick response.
Claire: Don’t come tonight. I’m getting sick and don’t want to pass it on.
Irina worked with senior citizens. Claire couldn’t risk putting them in danger.
Good thing Dad now had Fern to tend to him in case Claire got sick.
For now, Bella was all Claire had. Another notification from Rhett popped up.
Curiosity tugged at her, but she ignored it, too drained to deal with any prospective boyfriends for the rest of the day.
Hours later, still slogging through the aches and a renewed headache, she stood in the kitchen feeding Bella. Claire spooned carrots into her niece’s eager mouth, Dad’s TV blaring in the background.
“They’re in the kitchen,” Dad called out, startling her.
She looked up, and her breath caught. Wade stood in the kitchen doorway, a box of cupcakes in his hand. He’d changed into a blue T-shirt and jeans. His hair was mussed, and his shoulders still slumped, but his expression was soft, almost unsure.
“I brought cupcakes.” He brandished the box with the bakery logo.
“Atta!” Bella’s delighted squeal broke the silence. Her chubby arms stretched toward Wade.
Claire blinked as his lips curved into a smile as if their earlier battle hadn’t occurred. “I know you love cupcakes.” He directed the comment to Bella but glanced at Claire.
She raised an eyebrow. “Blissful Bites?”
“I remembered.” He set the box on the counter. Bella was now wriggling in her high chair, carrots smudged on her cheeks and bib. He laughed and crouched to pinch her cheek. “Hey, cutie.”
Bella giggled, her joy infectious, and Claire found herself laughing too.
He squared his shoulders. His hesitant gaze flickered to Claire. “I let you down. If you don’t want me here, I understand. But I meant what I said—I don’t want Bella growing up without us.”
His eyes searched hers. “And… I don’t want to lose you, Cupcake.”
Her heart stumbled. The fight she’d carried all day—the anger, the frustration, the hurt—drained away.
Her only excuse for being angry would be to protect her heart.
But his presence always mollified her. That was the problem.
Now, he was here for Bella, and the least Claire could do was attempt friendship.
“You want to feed her?” She passed the half jar of carrot puree to him.
His eyes lit up, and he exhaled. “I’d like that.”
“Guess who’s in for a treat?” He used baby talk, and Bella squealed her delight, kicking her feet and slapping her hands on the tray. He spooned carrots and lifted the glop to her mouth. His deep chuckle rumbled out when she took the bite and parted her lips for more.
He complied, and Bella giggled at his baby talk. Claire’s heart twisted in a way she couldn’t name. He wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. But the way he made Bella laugh, the way his presence overtook the room, made it harder to keep him at arm’s length.
Claire settled back against the counter, crossing her arms. Hope sparked anew.
“Thank you.”
Wade glanced up. His brow furrowed. “For what?”
“For coming back.”
“I may not be here to stay, but I’ll always come back.” He resumed his task, leaving her to ponder his words.
Even if they weren’t pursuing a relationship, he’d always come back for Bella. That’s all the assurance Claire needed for now.
If only her heart could believe that. If only she didn’t want more.