Chapter 15
Sierra was blow drying and scrunching her curls when she heard a knock on the door.
She was in a hurry to get ready and make her way to the hospital.
There was still plenty of time before her appointment, but she didn’t want to take any risks in being late.
Someone being at her door was unexpected and she paused and listened to see if the knocking continued.
She didn’t think it was housekeeping because when she’d gotten back last night, she’d put the “do not disturb” sign on the door.
Not only did the knocking continue, it became sharper, more impatient. She turned off the dryer and worked her way to the door; inching up on her toes to look out the peephole, she saw Jacob on the other side, dressed in a brown corduroy jacket, blue shirt and jeans.
Why was he here? Panic shot through her; she turned the locks and opened the door. “Jacob, is something wrong with Kaitlyn?”
His glance took her in, though she didn’t think there was much to see. She was wearing navy cotton pants and a light pink sweater. Her blue socks matched her pants and her face was bare of makeup, except for some clear lip gloss.
He frowned, then his hand went to the back of his head in the telltale sign something was bugging him. “No, she is fine.” He lowered his hand when he realized she’d noticed.
Shaking his head, Jacob strode into the room, and while she turned sideways so he could pass, his body grazed hers.
Fighting down her body’s reaction was torture.
The memories of his touch flared up without hesitation, as if no time had passed.
He continued into the room, not affected at all like she was.
She took a breath and let the door shut from its natural weight, before she turned to stand a couple of feet in front of him.
It was her turn to frown. “Why are you here?”
“I need to talk to you about a couple of things before you head to the hospital.” He was like a brick wall, his expression closed off to her.
“Okay.” She stepped forward, curious now.
“Who is Mik?”
She was suddenly taken aback. How did he know about Mik? She blinked at him, wracking her brain for how he’d gotten this information. “Why?”
“Because I want to know about anyone you’re involved with who could potentially impact my daughter’s life.”
She stiffened from his frosty demeanor and demanding tone. At this point, she had nothing to prove to him. He’d made it clear she wasn’t allowed to see her daughter, so what did it matter who her friends were?
She also had nothing to hide. “Mik is my AA sponsor.”
Surprise flashed across his face before doubt took over.
She let out a curse and strode to where her purse was resting on the counter.
Grabbing her wallet, she fished out a sobriety coin.
She had reached her one-year mark a couple of months ago but hadn’t been there to receive it in person.
Fortunately, meeting Mik in person resolved the issue.
Walking back to Jacob, she grabbed his hand and dropped the coin onto it.
He glanced at her in question, then down at his hand; he moved it onto his fingers, pinching it and raising it up, looking at both sides.
“My one-year sobriety coin. I received it last night.”
He handed it back to her and said gruffly, “Congrats.”
She waited to see if he would say more but was left disappointed.
The one thing they always talked about was making amends to those you hurt and that it was not going to be easy to earn back their trust or their forgiveness.
And sometimes you don’t get a chance to show your loved ones how much you have changed.
She met a lot of members in a similar situation as hers, who had been attending the meetings a lot longer than hers and their families would not give them a chance or forgive them.
Still, she held out hope she would be given a chance to try. She wanted to make amends, and she owed them that as well.
Sierra put the coin back in her purse and spoke to fill the now awkward silence. “You said there was a couple of things you needed to talk to me about?”
He cleared his throat. “Yes, I wanted to let you know, since you are now here, that I started to see someone.”
It felt like someone just punched her in the gut. She managed to fight down a flinch, but she didn’t know how to react either way, so she gave him a weak smile. “Is it serious?” She pushed the words past a throat that felt dry and constricted.
“Yes, I plan on asking her to marry me.”
She turned and set her wallet back in her purse so that he could not see how devastated she felt. When that task didn’t take up enough time, Sierra began to organize every item in her purse so that she could gather her composure.
“Congrats.” She finally managed to respond.
Why was he telling her now all this. She was only supposed to be here to run some tests, maybe be a donor, and nothing more. If his intention was to hurt her, he succeeded. She needed to get away from him so that she could get herself together in private.
“Is that all? Because I should be heading to the hospital now.”
She felt him behind her. The heat of his body so close to hers was a new kind of hell.
“I didn’t say this to hurt you but to let you know so that you are not blindsided because Marissa is also Kaitlyn’s nanny. She is important to both me and Kaitlyn.” Even if his voice started soft, it ended as a warning.
Sierra stiffened, jealousy coursing through her at the mention of the woman who had made her way into Jacob’s heart, who got to be around her daughter. Then, as quickly as the anger came, it vanished, leaving her exhausted. She genuinely hoped that Marissa could make them both happy.
She turned and faced him, and she could see him tense, his eyes watchful.
Sierra knew he was waiting for her to explode, deserving suspicion even if it stung.
She didn’t like it, but she had no claim over him anymore and she still loved him enough to want him to be happy and want her daughter to be loved.
Unsure what he wanted from her, Sierra decided to drop her guard so that he could see how open and honest she was trying to be. “I am glad you found someone that you love and that loves you both. I hope she will continue to treat you both right and make you happy.”
His gaze searched hers, then he nodded. “Thanks.” The distance and coldness of his demeanor softened at her words, and this time she gave him a genuine happy smile.
She saw his eyes drop to her mouth, his attention focused there suddenly, and she could feel a shift happening in the room.
Her smile fled and his eyes met hers. Her breath caught in her throat.
The mood broke when he pulled back suddenly, his face set in cold, harsh lines, and she could have cried because it felt like they were making progress but now they were back to where they started.
Swallowing back her disappointment, Sierra began to gather her things, thinking it was best if they parted right now before everything got messy between them.
“I need you to promise me. If Kaitlyn cries and wants you to leave, you will leave without question.” He suddenly warned her.
She gripped her bag in surprise, spinning to face him, and almost lost her balance.
“She would like to see you but only because she feels it is the right thing to do as you are helping her. If she is uncomfortable or scared, or she doesn’t want to talk or see you anymore—”
“Yes, yes of course. I don’t want her upset and will leave, Jacob.” She promised.
“It is because she is such a kind and thoughtful little girl that you are getting to see her briefly today. We will go after your visit at the hospital.” His voice remained harsh, begrudging. “Let’s go so we can get this day over with.”
She donned her shoes in stunned silence and followed him out the door. She didn’t care about how angry and cold he was right now because she was going to see her daughter today.