8. Abby
8
ABBY
A t almost eight months pregnant, I have to make some tough decisions regarding my future very soon. Eventually, I’ll have to go back to my cozy little apartment, but I’m not looking forward to it. I love my place, but it doesn’t feel the same now that I’ve been staying with Evan for a while.
His condo is bigger and in a better neighborhood, and we’ve already filled the spare bedroom with baby stuff. Whenever I ask him about moving some things over to my apartment, he changes the subject, like he doesn’t want to talk about it. At the same time, we can’t wait until the baby comes, and I know I can’t stay here forever. Not now, not when I’ve fallen in love with him.
Yes, I admit it, and I know it’s stupid.
What the hell was I thinking? I knew this would happen as soon as we slept together, but I denied the whole thing if only to keep Cici from saying: I told you so.
Being in love with my best friend is terrifying. If he doesn’t feel the same way—and he hasn’t said a single word to make me think otherwise—then I’m headed toward one hell of a heartbreak. One so big it’ll destroy everything we have because, regardless of what we said and promised, I don’t think I can watch him being with anyone else.
I’m not sure I trust what I’m feeling right now either, though, which is why I haven’t said anything. It wasn’t all that long ago that I was in love with another man, a man I thought was perfect and the answer to all my dating prayers. We see how well that turned out, so obviously my judgement is somewhat questionable. And maybe I’m only attracted to Evan because I hate the thought of raising my baby alone.
Ugh, why couldn’t Davis just be a decent guy?
I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t hear the quiet chime of the doorbell when a new customer walks into the store. It’s just me and my boss here today, so I’m polishing the glass display cases while Jill checks on a new shipment in the back. My head is down while I mutter to myself when a male figure in my peripheral startles me. I stand upright, but I’m frozen in place when a set of familiar blue eyes that I haven’t seen in months stare back at me.
What the hell is he doing here?
My mouth gapes open when he stalks toward me with an arrogant smile plastered on his face. He looks the same as I remember, dressed in a tailored suit and a crisp shirt with a well-trimmed beard and a confident swagger. Yet the coldness in his eyes that he leveled me with the last time we spoke is replaced with something else, something that hints at regret and sadness. Surely, I’m mistaken, as I doubt he feels an ounce of remorse for any of his actions.
“Abby.” My name sounds smooth as silk when he comes to a stop in front of me. His gaze drifts to my very-pregnant belly, and he lifts a hand as if he’s going to touch it. I take a small step back and move out of his reach.
“Davis. Why are you here?” I hiss, unable to keep the disdain out of my voice. Technically, he’s a customer and I shouldn’t be so rude, but no way I’m going to be polite after what he did to me.
He offers me a tentative smile, but I don’t trust it. I don’t trust him . “Can we talk?”
“Maybe you should’ve called instead of showing up at my job!”
Davis sighs. “We need to have this conversation in person. I went by your place a few times, but you were never home.”
I purse my lips and wait for him to get to the point. I’m not going to tell him I’ve been living with Evan, because it’s none of his business and he doesn’t deserve to know. “What do you want, Davis?”
He steps in my direction but doesn’t reach for me again. “I’m sorry, baby,” he says, looking contrite. “I know I was an asshole to you, and it’s been tearing me up inside. I hate that I hurt you.”
I fold my arms across my chest and glare at him. “I’m sure you’ve been just fine since you walked out on me. I mean, you do have your wife to comfort you, after all.”
He shakes his head, undeterred. “I left her, Abby.”
My jaw drops with a gasp. “What? Why would you do that?”
“For you,” he confesses, his hand inching toward mine until he takes it in his. “I want to be with you, baby. You and our child. I love you, Abby. Please, forgive me.”
He loves me? I feel like I’ve fallen into some kind of alternate reality. No way this man wants to be with me.
But what if he does? Could I really forgive him for what he did? Not only did he cheat on his wife, but he cheated on me too. And he broke my heart.
On the other hand, he is my little girl’s father. And more than anything, I want a family for her, a real family with a mom and a dad—something I never had. Don’t I owe it to my baby to give her father another chance?
Before I can decide anything, the front door opens again, and to my horror, Evan comes strolling in. His gaze lands on me and Davis, and I see the exact moment when my best friend’s anger takes over as his eyes zero in on where another man is touching me.
“Evan, I… It’s not—” I stammer, trying to find the right words but I can’t seem to think of any.
“I’m here to pick you up. Your shift is over.” He’s talking to me, but he doesn’t take his eyes off Davis, who’s staring back at him with a smug grin. I’d lost track of time and forgot he was picking me up. He’s been driving me to work lately since my due date is approaching and I’ve cut back my hours. “I thought I was taking you to dinner.” There’s a hint of hostility in his tone, and I’m not sure if it’s directed at me or Davis.
“Of course, we’re still going. I was just?—”
“What’s going on with you two?” Davis asks, glaring at Evan. Not that he has any right to be upset right now, or to know what’s going on in my life.
Instead of answering, I pull my hand away and take another step back. Evan moves in, coming to stand next to me and putting his arm around my shoulders.
“You don’t need to worry about Abby anymore,” he snarls. “ I’m taking care of her now.”
Davis takes a menacing step toward Evan, and I’m worried I’ll get caught in the middle. I can’t have them fighting in the store. Jill will kill me if that happens. “What the hell does that mean? You’re taking care of her ?”
Evan smirks, and I swallow around a lump in my throat when Davis’s eyes cut to me with an accusatory glare. “Don’t fucking look at her that way,” Evan snaps, and Davis’s hands clench into fists at his sides. “If you have a problem, you take it up with me. I’d be more than happy to beat your ass into the ground.”
“Stop it. Both of you, knock it off. This is my job .” At least Evan has the good sense to look properly scolded, but not Davis. So I point a stern finger at his chest. “Unless you’re buying something, you need to leave.”
“Fine, but this isn’t over, Abby.” He looks between me and Evan with his lip curled in disgust. “Answer my calls.” He storms out, and my shoulders slump as I blow out a loud breath.
“You okay?” Evan asks, his brow wrinkled with concern.
“I’m fine. Let me just wrap up with Jill, and we can go. Cici should be here any minute to take over for me.”
I turn on my heel to head to the back office. Evan halts my movements when he grabs my wrist. “What was he doing here, Abby?”
I bristle, not liking the accusing tone of his voice. “I don’t know,” I say louder than I intended. “He just showed up, wanting to talk to me. I’m just as surprised as you are.”
Evan scowls. “I don’t like it. I don’t trust the guy, and I don’t want you talking to him.”
Me either, but I also don’t like how my best friend’s bossing me around right now. What is it with these men today?
“Neither of us trusts him. But maybe I should at least hear him out. He’s the baby’s father. If he wants to be involved in her life…”
“So you’ll just let him waltz in and out whenever he feels like it? The guy’s a piece of shit, Abby. He cheated on his wife and then abandoned you after knocking you up.” Evan’s words cut like a knife, and I cross my arms over my chest.
“I’m aware of what he’s done, Evan. I don’t need a reminder.”
“Maybe you do if you’re considering seeing him again,” he mutters.
I place my hands on my belly before taking a calming breath. “I think I owe it to my daughter to talk to him.”
His jaw clenches as he studies me. “Are you really gonna get back together with him? He used you. Don’t be a fucking doormat.”
Hurt washes over me and my eyes well with tears.
“Wait, Abby. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
I laugh bitterly, because the damage is done. “Just… go home, Evan. I need some time to think.” Home. Not my home. His home. Somewhere I don’t want to be right now.
“I swear I didn’t mean it. Just let me?—”
“I’ll call for a ride when I’m ready to come back to your place. I just need some space.” I swallow around the huge lump forming in my throat.
“Where are you going?” His hazel eyes plead for forgiveness, but I’m not ready to give it.
“I’m going to the café.” I indicate the coffee shop across the street with a lift of my chin. It’s quiet over there at this time of day. I can mull things over with a steaming mug of hot tea. “Go home, Evan,” I call over my shoulder as I walk toward the back of the store to clock out.
Reluctantly, he leaves, and it’s stupid that I’m hurt by that. After all, he’s doing what I told him to do. That doesn’t change the fact that I hate seeing him go.
The fragrant scents of ground coffee beans and freshly-baked pastries fill my nose as I walk inside the café and order a large Earl Grey with a splash of cream. I carry my hot tea over to a cozy booth by the window as my mind whirls with everything that just happened within the last hour.
Pregnancy brain is real, but no matter what’s going on in my head, one thing that’s for certain is that I’m not going back to Davis. I’ve seen that dark side of him twice now, and I don’t like that at all. Besides, Evan is right. The man can’t be trusted, and I’d be pathetic to let him come back. He does have rights to his daughter, though, so I should at least talk to him about her, right?
Evan would be such a better dad. He’s patient and kind and protective. Despite his harsh words earlier, he’s someone I know I can trust, no matter what. I just don’t know what he wants from me.
Why couldn’t he have knocked me up? Everything would be so much easier if he had.
I stare out the window for a solid ten minutes, warming my hands around my mug, but forgetting to drink my tea while I’m consumed with warring thoughts. Until a woman slides into the booth across from me, smiling as if she knows me, even though I’ve never seen her before.
“Um… Can I help you?”
“My name is Lucy. Lucy Klein.”
Klein. Klein . I repeat the name in my head. It sounds so familiar but I can’t seem to place it. Until… Oh, shit!
I stare at the stranger in disbelief. “You’re…”
“Davis’s wife. Yes, that’d be me.”
I’m astonished, too astonished to speak, as my gaze roams over her face and takes in her appearance. She’s sophisticated and elegant, with long chestnut hair and flawless alabaster skin. Her body is taut and fit, with feminine curves in all the right places. Her expertly-applied makeup is understated, enhancing her natural beauty, and her clothes are bespoke and scream of high-end luxury. This woman is class and grace, so why in the hell would a man like Davis ever cheat on her?
“I can see the questions in your eyes.” She smiles, clasping her slender hands on top of the table.
Does she have any idea who I am?
I’m mortified, having never considered the possibility of meeting her.
She crosses her legs and straightens her spine. “I know all about Davis. I’ve known for years.” My eyes widen and she snickers. “He’s not as clever as he thinks.”
I tilt my head. “But why?—”
“Money. The simple answer is money.”
“I don’t understand,” I admit, slouching in my seat.
“And I hope for your sake, you never have to. I know who you are, Abby, and I have no intention of hurting you.”
Well, that never crossed my mind, but it certainly has me on edge now.
“There are… stipulations to our marriage, and I have measures in place to protect myself. I play the part of clueless wife well, but I assure you I’m not stupid. I know everything. And I hate to break it to you, but you aren’t the first.”
“Oh, God. I’m not?” I feel awful for her and can’t fathom why she’d stay with a lying, cheating asshole like Davis.
“No, dear. You’re not. You’re not even the first one he’s gotten pregnant.”
The blood drains from my face. “He’s gotten other women pregnant? As in, multiple?”
She nods, looking unbothered by the subject of our conversation. “Unfortunately, yes. Just two.” She twirls the massive diamond ring on her left finger with her thumb. “Did he give you the ol’ I’m allergic to latex ruse too?” Her laugh is resentful, and I see the flash of pain in her eyes before it disappears.
I feel sick that I had anything to do with this man, and stupid for falling for his lies. “I’m so sorry. I honestly had no idea he was married.”
“I know you didn’t. They never do. He always chooses the pretty ones who are the least suspecting and most trusting.”
I feel like such an idiot. “What is it that I can do for you, Mrs. Klein? Why did you come find me?”
“Because you’re different, Abby.”
“What does that mean?”
“The other two were quick to give up their babies, and it didn’t take a lot of money to buy their silence.” Just the idea of it makes my stomach churn. “This is the game he plays. He convinces you that he’s left me and that he loves you and wants to be with you. Then he paints a vivid picture of how fabulous your lives could be if it were just the two of you, and you didn’t have a child around to keep you both from enjoying a lavish lifestyle.”
I’m horrified at the suggestion. “He wants me to give up my baby and run away with him?”
“Oh, no. He won’t be running away with you. He does want you to give the baby up for adoption, though. Once you both sign your rights away, he’ll drop you like a bad habit, pretending he never knew you and blocking you completely from his life.” She conveys all of this to me as if we’re sharing recipes and not talking about what a monster her husband is.
“No one is taking my baby from me. Not ever.”
“And that’s what makes you different and why I came to see you. And from the looks of it, I got here just in time. I saw him leaving the jewelry store earlier.”
“He only made it to the part where he lies about getting a divorce. He was interrupted by my best friend.” I pick at my thumbnail, remembering how I left things with Evan and hating that we argued. We never fight about anything, and we’re not going to start now.
“Ah, yes. I saw him too. Best friend, huh?” She raises a manicured eyebrow, but I don’t care to elaborate. My head is swimming already with information overload.
Exhaustion is setting in and I just want to crawl into bed and forget this day ever happened. “So what is it that you want from me?”
“I just wanted you to know the truth, and I want to make sure your baby is well taken care of.”
“Why do you care about my baby? That seems… odd.” My face twists with confusion.
“Let’s just say I’m financially invested in the birth of your child and your decision to keep it.” She seems rather pleased with herself, and I have no idea why.
“This baby is mine, and I’m gonna raise her with or without Davis. Preferably without.”
Lucy’s lips turn up into a wistful smile. “You’re having a girl.”
My hands cradle my round belly. “I’m sorry for everything, and I promise I never meant for any of this to happen. I have no idea what’s going on in your marriage—and the whole thing seems a little twisted to me—but I want no part of the games you and Davis play.” I gather my things and scooch out of the booth. “I wish you all the best, but I hope I never see you or your husband again.”