Chapter Eleven #4
‘She only wants me to be happy, to enjoy what she’s got now after waiting so long for someone to love her.’
‘But isn’t what you want for your life the main thing you should be concerned about, not what your mother or whoever thinks?’
‘Of course it’s my decision, but you know what mothers are like.’
There was a heavy silence and then Sylvie realised her gaffe.
‘I’m so sorry, Jack, you didn’t have your mother long enough to really know how much she and your dad loved you.’
A shadow passed through his gaze like a cloud blocking the sun.
‘I was old enough to know they loved me but I’ve lived ever since with the regret I didn’t tell them I loved them before they died.
’ His deep voice contained a burden that was almost palpable and lines of sadness were etched in his expression.
‘It’s not that I didn’t have the opportunity. I just didn’t see it as important.’
‘I’m so sorry…’ Words seemed so inadequate, platitudes he had no doubt heard for years but without giving any comfort.
He stared at her for a long moment as if studying her features, memorising them in minute detail so he never forgot how she looked once they ended their fling.
‘Do you realise you are the only person, apart from my brother Jago, that I’ve confessed that to?
’ His voice was still ocean-floor deep and gravel-husky and his eyes contained a glimpse of raw emotion she had never seen in them before.
‘That must be so painful for you to live with but I’m sure they wouldn’t have thought you didn’t love them. Some kids are just more open with their feelings than others.’
He gave an effigy of a smile. ‘Did you ever love your father?’
Sylvie loathed talking of her childhood but it was only fair she shared with him now that he’d shared one of his deepest regrets.
‘I adored him and he made me feel adored in return. But my parents divorced when I was ten and my father claimed he had no money to pay maintenance for me, so my mum and I were always moving to cheaper rentals, always trying to make ends meet. It was like he was punishing her even though he was the one to leave, not her.’
‘Do you ever see him?’
Sylvie blew out a short breath. ‘No, not since I was ten.’ She twisted her mouth into an embittered grimace.
‘He was one of those dads who said he loved me almost daily but then he left and I never heard it again. I don’t trust those words now.
They’re so easy to say but how can you ever trust if they’re genuine? ’
Jack gave a nod of agreement but again something moved through his gaze, a shadow, a flicker, a feeling he was suppressing. ‘Maybe it’s actions you need to put your trust in, not words.’
‘Maybe…’
He held her gaze for another long moment. ‘I should let you get to bed. It’s been a long evening but I really enjoyed meeting your mum and Patrick.’
‘I can’t help worrying she’s rushing into marriage. What if he leaves her like my father did?’
Jack put his hands on the tops of her shoulders, gently squeezing them.
‘There’s always the chance a relationship might not work out but they seem well-suited and their personalities mesh well.
’ He bent down and pressed a barely touching kiss to her lips that made her hungry for more.
She linked her arms around his neck and leaned into his warmth, aching for him with a primal need that pulsed through her with growing urgency.
Sylvie’s phone began to ring on the kitchen bench and she tried to ignore it, but it was after eleven at night and if it wasn’t a scam call then it might be Maria calling to let her know Natasha was in labour.
‘Sorry, Jack, I’d better get this.’ She slipped out of his hold and looked at the screen and saw it was indeed Mariah. ‘Mariah? Is everything all right?’
‘We’re at the hospital now,’ Mariah said, a thread of worry in her voice. ‘Natasha’s in labour and it’s happening faster than we expected. Can you come? I know it’s late but we both could do with the support.’
‘Of course, I’ll come right away. Just text me the details and I’ll jump in a ride-share now, so I don’t have to worry about parking.’
‘Thank you so much. We really wanted you to be there for the birth but we didn’t realise she would go in a month early.’
‘I’ll be there soon.’ Sylvie hung up and before she could say a word Jack had already taken his keys out of his trouser pocket.
‘I’ll drive you there now. I only had one glass of wine hours ago.’
‘Oh, would you? That would be so lovely of you. My partners in the firm are having their first baby and they want me there for the birth.’
‘I hope you’ve got the stomach for it. I’ve heard from my friend Ben that it can get pretty intense.’
‘I can handle it,’ Sylvie said, hoping it was true.
A few minutes later, Jack pulled up in front of the hospital’s entrance, got out of the driver’s side and opened Sylvie’s door. Once she was out of the car, he leaned down to kiss her. ‘Good luck. And thanks for dinner. It was amazing.’
‘Bye.’ Sylvie waved to him as she dashed off to the entrance of the hospital.