Let her know I miss her, too. And that she’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
Wait, what? I frown at my brother, who simply smirks from across the yard.
“I don’t do leftovers, but for her I’d make an exception.”
That son of a bitch.
“See you guys later.” He winks before he disappears, the gate slamming behind him.
I know he’s fucking with me, because I’d beat his ass if he so much as looked twice at Hayden.
And that’s exactly the point he was trying to make, isn’t it? Not only am I still hung up on her, but he’s figured it out, too. Fucking great.
I squat next to Jett with a sigh. “All right, little man, time to go inside and clean up.”
“Look what I did!” He points to the mountain of dirt with a toothy grin, and I notice that the red car that looks like Lane’s is nowhere to be seen.
“Ah, yes. I really like what you’ve done here.” If only getting rid of him in real life were as easy. “You ready for a bath before we head back to see your mom?”
“Yeah!” Jett jumps into my arms and wraps his snugly around my neck. “I miss her,” he says against my cheek, and my chest tightens.
Yeah, little man, so do I.
HAYDEN
“Hon, I have to run to the office for a minute. Big meeting with a new investor tomorrow and I forgot his portfolio on my desk.”
I glance up from the flower bed I’ve been demolishing for the past hour, as Lane jogs down the porch steps, keys jangling in his hand. “An actual paper portfolio? Who even has those anymore?”
He grins. “The old-school guys with lots of money to move around.”
“Ah, well, in that case, you should definitely get that file.” I blow him a kiss and he returns a wink.
“You need me to grab anything for dinner while I’m out?”
“No, I think we have everything for the fajitas, but thank you.”
“Okay. Let me know if something comes up. I’m happy to stop.” He tugs my ponytail as he heads to his car. Over his shoulder, he adds, “Why don’t you tell Jesse he’s welcome to bring a plus-one next weekend? A date or a girlfriend or whatever. God knows there will be plenty of cake.”
“Oh, good call.” I give him a thumbs up and watch as he leaves. It’s not until he’s out of sight that his suggestion fully hits me.
Jesse bring a woman to our son’s party? So the four of us can hang out like we’re pals? Lane and Jesse barely even tolerate each other and, despite Lane and I talking through things yesterday, I don’t expect they’re going to become besties anytime soon.
And seeing Jesse with another woman? Ugh.
Obviously, I know he dates. He’s gorgeous, has a great job, and a solid head on his shoulders. Add in the Dad factor and there is no doubt in my mind that he has a very fruitful love life up in Cole Creek.
I just don’t want to think about it.
I mean, it’d be weird if I did, right?
Then again, maybe I should, because if he’s moving women in and out of his bed like he moves all that dirt, it could impact Jett.
“What if there’s only one woman?” a little voice in the back of my mind asks, and my stomach rises so high in my throat, I have to press the back of my hand to my mouth to keep it at bay.
Does Jesse already have someone serious in his life? Someone who’s so serious, she’s part of our son’s life, too? Jett hasn’t mentioned anyone, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t exist.
God. The very thought makes me lightheaded. And that’s pure insanity.
Jesse and I were never a couple. I can’t even rightfully call him my ex. We had a couple of weeks together and a handful of random moments before that. Granted, they were really amazing moments and our two weeks were some of the best of my life, but he was never mine and I was never his, and the idea of him settling down shouldn’t make me sick to my stomach. Yet here I am.
My phone chirps on the edge of the porch step and I tug off my gloves to grab it. It’s a text from the devil himself. Five minutes away.
Great. Not only am I a dirty, sweaty mess, but I’m all up in my head about a girlfriend he may or may not have… when I’ve been engaged