The First Taste (Slip of the Tongue #2) - Jessica Hawkins Page 0,149

anymore because she is now.” Her voice cracks, and anger rises up my chest at the outrageous accusation. “She said I should rot in hell for leaving my child.”

“She didn’t say that,” he says, “and you need to leave.”

“Can’t we go somewhere and talk alone?” she asks. “Just for a minute?”

“Un-uh. First, it’s my baby’s birthday. I’m not going to miss any more than I have standing here with you. Second, whatever you want to say, you can say in front of Amelia.” Andrew takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. “Don’t make me escort you out, Shana. People already have strong feelings about you in this town, and making a scene isn’t helping.”

She frowns, sliding her thumbnail between her front teeth as she looks behind him at the other guests. They’ve fallen quiet. I pray someone has taken Bell in the house, but I won’t dare turn my back on Shana again. “I’m not going away, Andrew.”

“Fine. If what you want is to get to know Bell, I’m not saying no. I’m saying it’ll take a lot of time and work before we even get to that part, especially when you pull stunts like this.”

She scowls, but I think inside, she must realize what Andrew’s offering is generous. I squeeze his hand for reassurance, and he glances at me. It can’t be easy to welcome her back into his life, no matter how hard he plans to make it on her.

“We’re done here,” he says. “Go out the back gate, Shana. When you’re ready to be an adult about this, call me. Don’t just show up.”

He pulls me away, leading me over to a table where Bell’s surrounded by colorfully wrapped presents.

“I was waiting for you,” she says, her lips tinted pink from frosting.

“Oh, yeah?” Andrew asks. “Then why are half of these unwrapped?”

“I left so many,” she cries defensively, pointing around the table.

Andrew laughs and leans down to kiss her on the back of her hair. He lingers there a moment, closing his eyes. Our hands are still interlaced, and I drag my thumb over his knuckles. “I’m sorry, baby,” he says to her. “Go ahead and open the rest.”

As she tears into another one, Sadie comes over. “I asked Bell what that lady said to her. She said she just wished her a happy birthday and was asking about presents.”

Andrew straightens up. “Good. I wouldn’t put it past Shana to walk right up to her and blurt out the truth.”

I shiver at the thought of Bell finding out about her mother that way, and Andrew lets go of my hand to put his arm around me. “Don’t worry,” he says to me. “We won’t let it happen.”

Bell opens her next present and squeals, “Look, Dad. Randy got me a pink inflatable pool for the backyard.”

“Great,” he says. “Randy can set it up, too.”

“What’d Shana want?” Sadie asks.

Andrew watches Bell. “What do you think?”

“She can’t just waltz back into your lives.” Sadie thins her lips. “Not just all of a sudden. Bell’s not ready.”

“Bell’s her daughter,” I say. They both look at me, but if I’m going to be part of this family, I have to be able to say what I think. “Yes, Shana’s in the wrong. But like she said, she’s not going away. Maybe she takes off again, but she’ll be back. Won’t she?”

Andrew sighs. “Definitely.”

“And Bell deserves to know about her mom,” I add, “even if it’s not an ideal situation.”

“We’ve already started discussing it,” Andrew says. “I know she has more questions.”

“Shana will have to prove herself,” I continue. “Could be years, but that’s up to her. When it happens, Bell will know she has all of our support. If Shana hurts her again, we’ll be there to make it better.”

Sadie sulks. “You guys are making it too easy on her. I didn’t even get a chance to bitch her out.”

Andrew slowly shakes his head. “If Shana sticks around, she’ll give you plenty of opportunities for that.”

“But I’m pregnant now,” Sadie points out. “I won’t have an excuse to overreact after the baby comes.”

Andrew smiles. “I appreciate the sentiment. But I’m done talking about Shana for the day.” He leans over and scoops a chunk of icing with his finger, popping it in his mouth.

“Andrew,” Sadie and I scold at the same time.

Bell looks up at us from a pile of shredded wrapping, empty cake plates, and toys. “Is that it?”

Andrew raises his eyebrows. “It is if you don’t show a little more