Chapter 26—Bobby #2
“And no one would believe you would,” I say as I place a hand on her back in support.
This fucker thinks he can come in and start shit in front of the other families who have not-so-subtly turned to look in our direction.
I’m sure they’re all still talking about the last time Trevor showed up at the school, and they’re probably waiting to get more gossip to spread about my girl.
“Mommy, Mommy.” Ivy’s voice draws all our eyes as she bounces over, grabbing Willow’s arm. “Mr. Tommy said he likes jerboas so much that he’s going to get one. Can we get one too? Can we? Pretty please?”
“Hello, Ivy.” Trevor’s formal greeting has the joy dying in her eyes as she turns and finally sees him.
“Hello, Father.” She doesn’t go to him for a hug or even take a step toward him.
“Ivy.” He narrows his eyes at her. “Do you have something else to say?”
I’m not the only one who blisters at the way he speaks to his child, even if I have no clue what he’s going on about.
“Yes.” She licks her lips and looks at her mom with sorrow before bowing her head. “Hello, Mom.”
Mom? I’m the only one who could hear the slight breath hitch, but I’m sure Trevor was watching Willow closely enough to see it.
I look back at Trevor and scan the woman beside him, who I assume is the one Ivy’s talking to.
“Hello, sweet girl. It’s good to see you again.” She walks over and wraps her arms around Ivy, who only returns the hug after a throat clearing from her father.
Ivy nods and steps back, just a small one, but clearly closer to her mother—her real one.
“And hello, Bobby. It’s been too long.” The woman goes to hug me, but I take a clear step out of her reach.
“Jessica” is all I say. No greeting or happiness, just a name.
“I heard your father’s business is doing well.
” I make it known to both her and Willow that she and I are nothing at all.
It’s her father I do business with, and very little at that.
He’s a small fish, and the only reason I recall her at all is because I make sure to note who not to associate with. And she’s on the list.
Should have expected we would cross paths one of these days. I saw she was with Trevor when I did a scan of him, but I had hoped I wouldn’t have to deal with her.
“Well, I’m sure Ivy is happy to have you both here to support her.” Willow is way too kind for her own good. I’d rather she claw Jessica’s eyes out. This woman who sees the girls a few times a year and makes them call her “Mom” when she does nothing to support them in any way.
“We’re also looking at the schools. We want to make sure we have something lined up for our little bundle of joy.” Jessica pats her very flat stomach softly and looks up with a smirk. “It’s a boy.”
As if that makes the child worth more.
I might not know everything about children, but I doubt she even knows the baby’s sex if she isn’t even showing.
But even if she does, is there a point to make it clear what the sex of the child is?
It wasn’t out of happiness, based on the twinkle in her eye and the smug look on Trevor’s face.
As if having a girl is some sort of dig.
The only one I notice who flinches at Jessica’s words is Ivy. Making a child, one I consider mine, feel as if she’s lacking entices the devil in me to come out and play.
“Congratulations,” Danny says for the group, and I give him a sideways look. Not for what he said, but just that he spoke at all. And he continues to do so. “I’m sure your father is thrilled to have someone in line to take over the family business one day.”
There. That’s why he spoke. And I can’t even hide my grin as I look at Trevor, who now resembles a dried-out piece of driftwood left in the sand too long. Stiff and crusty. His face is a blaze of fire, his cheeks popping out as if he’s holding his breath.
Guess his father-in-law hasn’t taken to him based on Danny’s words. If the man’s is happier about a future grandchild than his son-in-law, that speaks volumes.
And from what I know of Trevor, he’s the climbing-the-ladder type, stepping over and on anyone on his way to get to the top.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he sought out Jessica and not the other way around once he learned who she was connected with.
Her father’s business isn’t big-time, but it’s big enough to have people notice when his name, Hastings, is passed around.
Probably the reason Trevor took his new wife’s last name and not the other way around.
“Let’s go, Jessica. I think we’ve seen enough.” He grabs her elbow as her confusion at having only just arrives eases from her face quickly.
“Yes, of course. We have dinner reservations after. Please say hello to Spencer for me, Willow. And as always, Bobby, it has been a pleasure. Perhaps we can get together again over drinks, like last time.”
Trevor doesn’t seem to care that his wife is throwing herself at me. Perhaps he’s used to it. But that is something I won’t let Willow think about for a moment longer than this conversation.
“Consider all my free time booked.” I slide my arm around Willow, making it more than clear who I plan to spend my time with outside of work.
I wanted to watch them leave, to make sure they left the property to ease my mind, but my thoughts are soon taken over by Lily singing.
“Ooh, Mommy and Bobby, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-S-I-N-G.”
“Sweet girl, there are only two S’s in kissing.” Willow chuckles as she relaxes into me.
Guess the cat is officially out of the bag between us. So I push my luck and lay my claim by tilting my head just enough to kiss her forehead.
It’s enough to make the girls say, “Ooo,” and I catch Ivy looking at me. There’s no longer a frown on her face, placed there by her dad, but a smile at seeing her mom happy. I wink at Ivy as she giggles and runs over to Lily, and they whisper conspiratorially together.
“Good,” Mama says with a smile as she looks at us. “Now we can start planning the wedding.”