“Where’s Jase?” Brook Lynn asked.
Daphne glanced over her shoulder and offered a tight smile. “You’re Brook Lynn, right? The maid?”
I’m far more than that. But it looked as if the claws had come out. “Where’s Jase?” she asked again.
“Out back. But would you mind staying inside for a bit? He’s getting to know his daughter, and I’d really like to give them more time.”
Her hands tightened into fists. “More time? Where were you nine years ago?” I’m acting like a green-eyed she-beast. Don’t like this side of myself.
Daphne turned off the stove and faced her full-on, features hardening by the second. Today she wore a blue tank and shorts that came to just over her knees. Casual chic. Her hair had been pulled back in a ponytail, showcasing the many piercings in her ears. Her feet were bare, her toenails painted a delicate pink.
“I’ve already discussed that with Jase,” Daphne said, her voice stiff. “I owed him an explanation. I don’t owe you anything.”
Do not react.
Should she go?
The back door slid open. In strode the little girl. She’d looked uncomfortable and nervous last night, but that wasn’t the case today. Happiness radiated through her pores.
Jase came in behind her, wearing a soft, tender expression. Seeing him with his daughter only made her fall deeper in love with him—but when he spotted Brook Lynn, he frowned.
Perspiration dotted her palms. She was suddenly transported back to her childhood, before she’d gotten the implants. Jessie Kay would drag her out of the house to play with other kids, only to have those other kids run away, not wanting anything to do with Earmuff Girl.
“Brook Lynn,” he said in greeting, his voice tempered, revealing zero hint of his emotions.
Back to square one.
“This is Hope. Hope, this is Brook Lynn.”
Again, he left off the girlfriend identifier. “Hello.”
“Hi. I guess.” The girl certainly had her mother’s unwelcoming attitude. But she’d inherited more than Jase’s eyes and mouth, Brook Lynn realized. She had inherited the shape of his face. They were like carbon copies of each other, and a pang tore through her chest.
“Don’t be rude,” Daphne admonished, surprising her.
Hope glared up at Brook Lynn as if she was the enemy. “She started it! We’re having a family day, and she’s not family.”
Translation: go home. “Don’t worry. I’m not staying,” Brook Lynn croaked.
Jase tousled Hope’s dark hair, earning a grin from her, before he claimed Brook Lynn’s hand. “Excuse us for a moment.” He ushered her out of the kitchen, into his bedroom, where he released her to scrub a hand down his face.
“I’m sorry,” he said. He plopped on the end of the bed.
Both sides were mussed, both pillows flat and well used.
“They stayed the night,” Brook Lynn said hollowly.
“Of course.” He sounded mildly offended, as if she’d just accused him of throwing the pair into the street.
“Daphne slept in here,” she said. A statement, not a question.
Understanding dawned, and he snapped, “With Hope. Not me. I crashed in West’s room. Both he and Beck stayed out all night.”
She exhaled a breath she felt like she’d been holding all her life. Okay. All right. “I’m sorry. I don’t know who I am anymore. This situation is just so...”
“Screwed up. I get it.” A tense pause before he added, “But it’s about to get even more so. Daphne and Hope are going to stay for a few weeks.”
The jealousy she felt now made a mockery of the jealousy she’d felt only seconds before, though she tried not to show it. “I’m glad you’ll have a chance to get to know your daughter.” That was the truth.
“She is...perfect,” he said, and Brook Lynn would have sworn there were stars in his eyes.
It warmed her heart to see the deep love he’d already developed for the girl. “Why is Daphne just now telling you about her?”
“Because I was in prison.”
“That’s an excuse.”
A sardonic flash of teeth. “Really? Because I seem to recall you wanting nothing to do with me for that very reason.”
Ouch. “Do you still want to be with me?” she asked quietly.
“I do,” he said without hesitation. “I wasn’t kidding when I told you I loved you.”
Relief was like the first rain after a long drought. “But...why didn’t you tell Daphne I’m your girlfriend?”
“Honey, the last I heard from you, you were giving me time. I didn’t know you were accepting me back as your boyfriend.”
“I—”
A light tap sounded at the door.
“—want you,” she finished. “I want everything from you.”
He reached for her, only to fist his hands just before contact as another knock sounded. His arms fell to his sides. “The door,” he said.
“Right.” Trembling, she turned the knob.
Hope stepped inside, wide-eyed, a plate of food in hand. “Um, hi.” She glanced between them.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Jase said, his tone gentling.
Hope unveiled a devastating smile, preening under his attention. “Momma wanted you to have your breakfast while it was still hot.”
Well, wasn’t that nice. Too nice?