tries its best to wake my numb skin, but fails terribly. Even though I’m carrying a child, I feel hollow.
“Marion?“
Glancing to my right I see the woman-friend I met walking up, her hair curly and free from dozens of braids it had before. She looks beautiful in a long summer dress, her concern for me evident.
“Hey Lynn.”
She fills the empty space beside me and asks, “What happened?”
“I’m pregnant.”
She touches my arm to ask, “I’m guessing unplanned?” At my small nod she holds onto the railing, too, wringing her thoughts into the steel. “What are you gonna do?”
“I’m keeping it. Even though I’m the most selfish bitch on the planet, somehow I’m keeping the child. Don’t ask me how this happened. I couldn’t tell you. Jack wants to have the baby. Troy wants a paternity test. And you know what I want?” I lock eyes with her. “My mom.“
Lynn tilts her head and pulls me into a hug. “Oh sweetie, of course you do.” Pulling back she offers a smile. “You could pretend I’m her if you want! I know it’s not the same thing, but I’ll be your shoulder.” She rolls her eyes and adds, “At least for the next half hour because then I’m meeting Travis.”
Returning to the view I sigh, “You’re a lot more forgiving than her, Lynn. But thanks for trying.”
“Is your mother a harsh woman?”
“No, but she is a hypocrite.” I close my eyes. “I have to go find Jack.”
“You lean on him.”
“He’s my rock.” Letting go of the railing I lock eyes with her, pointing behind me. “Which way are you going?”
“I’m heading in the other direction so I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Okay.” My flip-flops sound like a duck in tap shoes as I make my way down winding steps. There’s no way he’s in our hotel room, but I really don’t know where else to look. I’ve been wandering around for a while now, haven’t run into him, and so I might as well check there first.
Inside I find a maid staring back at me, standing near the door. She gives me space to enter and I don’t bother asking her if she’s seen my boyfriends. We found they don’t speak any English right after we got here.
But the bathroom door opens and Jack strolls out, feet bare. He pauses at the sight of me, glances to the maid and asks a surprised, “When did you get here?“
My eyes dart to her and back, narrowing into jealous slits. “Did I interrupt something?”
A smile spreads, and he says on a laugh, “Don’t be stupid. You know me better than that.”
Remembering my mother’s warning about being called crazy, or stupid, or paranoid — they’re interchangeable — I demand, “Then where are her cleaning products?”
Still amused he says to her, “Why did you come here?”
With an accent she replies in perfect English, “To tell you my uncle can bring you to the airport off-schedule.” She holds up her left hand where there’s a simple gold band on her ring finger. “He’s cute, but I’m catholic.”
I relax because neither of them looks the least bit guilty. Plus if Jack had fucked her, her hair wouldn’t be so perfect.
“We’re going home?”
He walks up, thoughts racing in his eyes. “I had a feeling our vacation was over so I went to the front desk and asked for an exception. Agneta just got here to tell me, since she’s going home and was walking past. I know you. You’re not one to hang around when you’re done with a place.”
I throw my arms around him. “I want to go home!”
His embrace tightens, muscles flexing like a delicious vise of protection. “You have nothing to be afraid of, Gorgeous. Not with me around. Where’s Troy?”
I pull back so I can see his face when I tell him, “Jack, I think we might have a problem.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
JACK
Finally I find Troy on a floating bed by himself, a group of single girls nearby paying close attention, especially now that there are two of us. There are five of them. I hope they don’t try to come over while I am here. I don’t have the patience to be nice.
“We’re heading back soon.”
He looks up and follows me as I sit down, eyes guarded.
Since he doesn’t say anything I clarify, “Back to Atlanta.”
He mutters, “Guess the party is over.”
“This is life, not a party.”
He shoots me a look. “You’re going to act all wise now?”
Gathering patience but finding little, I tell him, “Marion reported back