Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,22

that? I blinked as Vivian let out a scream, hearing the doctor tell her that the head was out.

She squeezed hard as she finished delivering her daughter, crying as the doctor told her that she had a baby girl. They placed the baby on her chest, and I took in the tiny heart-shaped mouth and red skin.

By the time they cleaned the baby up, Mari and Becca arrived at the hospital. They were wearing cocktail gowns and hugged Vivian with mascara running down their cheeks. Ava was placed in her mom’s arms, wrapped loosely in a blanket as she snuggled against Vivian.

We stayed as long as the visiting hours would permit, leaving in a group. “That’s amazing. She’s a mom.” Mari wiped at her eyes as she gazed at all of us.

“Ava is beautiful,” Becca gushed as I nodded in agreement. Once she was cleaned up, she was a pretty baby that looked a lot like her mom.

“Want to get something to eat?” Mari asked us, and I looked at Gray. “I feel like it’s been forever.”

“Yes. I haven’t eaten since lunch.” We decided on a place and met there in our separate cars so that we could head home afterward. I slipped into the booth beside Gray, breathing in his refreshing scent that I loved. We all caught up on life and talked about the baby some more. Vivian seemed to become like a little sister to all of us.

We left to go home, exhausted by the night's events. Gray was quiet at home as he prepared for bed, and I watched him. “What’s wrong?”

Chapter Nine

Gray

I heard his question and froze. I didn’t know how to tell him anything after tonight.

“Gray?” I looked at the man that I lived with and loved.

“This is the first time I’ve seen Vivian in a few weeks,” I said as he tilted his head. “She called about labor, and I knew I couldn’t just leave her at home.”

“What happened?” Hayden asked with worried eyes as he dropped to the couch.

“I was over there before work one day just to bring her some lunch. It was like any other visit until it wasn’t.” He stared at me, and I let out a ragged sigh. “She kissed me, Hayden. She kissed me and tried to touch me.”

“She knows about us,” he said in shock as I nodded.

“Yes, she does. She just fancied herself in love with me or some such shit. I left that day and went right to a bar. I didn’t work, but I told you that I did. I said that I got held up with the clients having drinks.” I moved to the couch to sit beside him. “I didn’t know how to tell you. We were all a part of her life, and there was a part of me that pitied her.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I was there first tonight. She told me that she loved me.”

“You stayed in there with her. You supported her,” he said, and I nodded.

“Not for that, or because of that. You were there beside me even though I could tell you weren’t thrilled with the idea. I had to stay, but there’s a part of me that never wants to see her again. That baby is so tiny and sweet, but her mom makes me uncomfortable.”

“Shit. I thought something happened with a client. You were acting so weird that night, and we already never saw each other.” I looked at him to see anger on his face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I have no fucking idea. It sounded crazy in my head for one. She was also like a sister to everyone but me. The girls adore her.” I shrugged, wishing I talked to him right away. I gazed at him. “You thought that I cheated on you?”

“I wasn’t sure. We’ve just been working so much, and then there was the thing with the fire.” He ran a hand through his hair that was messier than normal.

“What thing with the fire?” I asked as he stared at me.

“I ran into some friends at a bar one night after work. They told me the fire was arson and that it started in my old apartment. I didn’t know what to think and saw Ryan briefly the same night. He told me that I shouldn’t be okay.” Hayden looked at me as rage filled me.

“He started a fire in your old place?”

“He got dragged away, so I don’t know for sure. He