Jinxed
Page 25
The phone rang, jerking him out of a bout of self-pity. He rolled back his stiff shoulder, shoved aside a case report, and leaned across his desk to snatch the receiver. “Leeds Investigations.”
“Get your ass over to the hospital now, big brother. I’m in labor.”
Joni’s phone call took Afia by complete surprise. She’d been under the impression that the woman blamed her for Jake getting shot. Knowing her pregnancy to be a delicate one, she’d steered clear of the mother-to-be these past weeks, not wanting to be the cause of any undo agitation. That Joni wanted her there for the birth of her baby was astounding … and nerve-racking.
Jake would be there.
She hadn’t seen him in two weeks—the longest, most miserable two weeks of her life. Though he’d kept his distance as of late, he’d proven to be a genuine friend, supportive and not at all controlling. But she ached for so much more. Why hadn’t she been more aggressive? She’d waited for the right moment, and now it seemed as if she’d missed the boat. Apparently, he’d moved on. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but she told herself she wouldn’t crumble when she saw him. She wouldn’t make a scene by asking him why in the heck he’d given up so easily.
I am willing to be Jake’s friend and nothing more. I am happy in my solitude.
Bull. She’d be happier with Jake.
Her heart pounded as she entered the hospital. The same hospital where she and Jake had parted ways. When she asked at the desk, the nurse told her that Mrs. McNichols had already given birth, and that she could proceed directly to the maternity ward.
A place of new beginnings.
Jake stood at the nursery window with his hand pressed against the glass.
Afia’s palms grew moist and heart fluttered. Go to him. Say something, and for God’s sake don’t ramble or cry. “Congratulations, Uncle,” she said, coming up behind him, her pulse racing a billion miles a minute. Do not crumble. “Niece or nephew?”
“Niece. God help me.” He clasped her hand and pulled her in beside him. “Kylie McNichols. Second one to the left. Isn’t she cute?”
His touch ignited a firestorm in her heart. “Adorable,” she said, past the huge lump in her throat. Kylie was tiny, pink, and sweet. Afia longed to have a baby just like her. With Jake. She glanced up at him, her heart swelling at the adoring expression on his face as he smiled down at his niece. Be aggressive. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m here. Joni called me.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’m glad that you’re here. I think Joni probably called you because she’s tired of hearing me bitch.”
She swallowed hard. Think positive. “About?”
He turned to her then, traced a finger along her jaw. “About how much I miss you. These last two weeks have been hell.” He quirked a pathetic smile. “And I let my sister know it.”
Dizzy with relief, she placed her palm over his chest, reveling in the frantic beating of his heart. How could she have ever doubted the strength of their love? She connected with this man. “I missed you, too.”
He swallowed hard. “You did?”
She nodded. “Very much.” Trust your heart, trust your heart … “Jake?”
He tucked her hair behind her ears, his tender touch igniting a thousand dreams and desires. “What, baby?”
“You know that thing about us being friends, no matter if we live next door or across the country … I have to be honest. I’d like it a hell of a lot better if we lived together.”
He dropped his forehead to hers and let out a slow, shaky breath. “I’m going to marry you, Afia.”
“I know.” She moistened her bottom lip, relished in the zap of the live wire, the zing of cupid’s arrow. “And we’re going to have three children. I didn’t just scare you, did I?”
He smiled, those mesmerizing emerald eyes glassy with bone-deep affection. “You just made me very happy.”
“Nothing and no one will ever come between us.” She tunneled her fingers through his hair and sealed their love with a kiss.
She was the luckiest girl on the planet.
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