Chapter Fifteen

Thirty. I was thirty. I could remember when I thought thirty was ancient. It made me reflect on where I was versus where I thought I would be. Life really hadn’t turned out the way I planned, but I had hit some of my goals. I was making the salary I figured I would be at this age, thank you Daddy. I was having my first baby, though I had wanted one with one on the way at this age. I had owned a home, but obviously not anymore. I still needed to work on that, but between Declan and work I had let that fall to the wayside. Besides, I was interested in seeing where Declan would buy.

I thought he had decided on building, but a few days ago he asked me if it was a wise financial decision to borrow money against your 401k for a down payment. It could be if it was a solid investment, but it was always risky because the housing market fluctuated so much. I was surprised he asked, because he had made it sound like between his first quarter bonus and savings he would have over ten percent to put down on the house he was looking at. When I pressed for more details, his response was he was looking at all his options.

Being thirty coincided with being just over thirty weeks pregnant. The baby and I were on track. I was still deciding on names. Nothing spoke to me. The baby had his own language. He was most active in the middle of the day and evening. I think he was going to be a soccer player because he had some powerful kicks. He seemed to like Declan, too. Every time Declan talked to him or felt him, this little guy moved. Or maybe it was his mother’s increased heart rate.

Declan had a way with getting my blood pumping. Like when I came home on my birthday thinking I was getting ready for Declan to pick me up for dinner, and instead I found him in the backyard near the pool. He and Momma were putting the finishing touches on dinner for two. Momma scurried away as soon as I arrived. She wore a pleased looked as she kissed my cheek and wished me a good night and happy birthday. Momma, Daddy, and I had had lunch together earlier to celebrate.

Did I mention Declan was in swimming trunks? My blood was definitely pumping. His tan skin glistened in the evening sun. He took my hand and led me to the set table. “I hope you don’t mind an evening at home?”

“Not at all.” I took in every one of his muscles.

He smiled at my apparent admiration for him. “You’ll be changing after dinner. I prefer your white suit, by the way.” He pulled out my chair for me and kissed my neck. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you. This looks incredible.” I looked over the pasta salad and skewers of grilled steak and vegetables. Not to mention my favorite, strawberry cheesecake.

“As do you.” He kissed my neck again for good measure.

“Thanks for lying. I noticed some swelling in my ankles today.”

He sat down across from me. “You are gorgeous, swollen ankles and all.”

“You still have time to run.”

“Not a chance.” He held up his flute of sparkling cider. “To many more birthdays together.”

He made sure everything was perfect for the night, right down to the lit floating candles in the pool at dusk.

“It’s settled.” He led me into the pool while his eyes roved over my very pregnant body. “I’m getting a place with a pool.”

I smiled and shook my head at him. “How you find me attractive right now, I have no idea.”

He pulled me to him in the water. “You’ve never been sexier.”

“Are you kidding me? You knew me when I didn’t have an ounce of fat on my body.”

He ran his hand down the length of my body. “Melanie Dixon, I love every curve on you. Even pregnant you have a better body than most.”

I ran my hand up his defined chest. “I think I’m going to keep you around.”

He groaned before his lips landed on mine and stayed that way for a good pleasurable hour. It was the best birthday ever, until . . .

Abruptly Declan’s lips glided off mine and his body tensed. A cold stare replaced his passionate gaze.

“What’s wrong?”

He flicked his head and I turned around in his arms. Shock didn’t even begin to cover how I felt. I hadn’t even heard the patio door open above the noise of the pool’s waterfall we were near, much less heard anyone walk out. “Greyson,” I gasped.

Declan’s arms tightened around me.

Daddy stood next to Greyson looking like he might take a swing at my ex-husband. “Baby girl, I’m sorry to interrupt you. He insisted on seeing you.” Daddy wouldn’t even say his name.

Greyson stood proud, wearing a business casual look. His dark tousled hair blew in the sea air. He acted like he was doing his best to look as unaffected as possible by the scene in front of him. But I noticed the fire in his eyes directed at Declan.

“What are you doing here?” I stammered.

“It’s important I speak to you.”

“We don’t have anything to say to each other.”

“We have some unfinished business.”

I couldn’t think of anything. “Then your lawyer should contact mine.”

“This is of a personal nature.”

“Divorcing me felt pretty personal, so again, contact my lawyer.” I felt Declan steadying me.

In the low light, I could see Greyson’s brow furrow like it always did when he was frustrated. “Please, it’s important.” It’s the closest to begging he had ever been.

I turned and met Declan’s rage filled eyes, which softened for me.

“You don’t have to talk to him.”

“I know.” But I was going to hear what he had to say out of sheer curiosity.

Declan and I swam to the edge of the pool. Declan got out first before helping me out and handing me a towel. I wrapped up in the warm cotton. It felt good against my skin. Declan took my hand and we walked together toward Greyson and his formidable presence.

Daddy’s eyes were filled with concern. “Are you okay, darlin’?”

“I’m fine. Why don’t you go in the house?” I was afraid his blood pressure was going to boil over.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

Daddy left, but not before giving Declan the ‘you better handle this’ signal. Declan looked up for the challenge.

With Daddy gone, Greyson kept his focus on Declan, in particular Declan’s tattoo. “I’d like to speak to Melanie alone.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Declan wrapped his arm around me.

I took comfort in his touch.

“I don’t know who you are, but—”

“I’ll tell you who I am—” Unadulterated hate was coming off my normally sweet and mild mannered Declan.

“Let’s stop this right now,” I intervened. I looked into Declan’s simmering eyes. “Give me a few minutes.” I knew that wasn’t going to go over well, and I saw the hurt in his eyes. “Please, trust me.” I kissed his lips once.

Declan let out a tense breath. “Always.”

I gave him a small smile. “I won’t be long.”

Declan kissed my head before giving Greyson a scathing look. “Tread carefully,” he warned.

I watched him walk away, wishing he didn’t have to but knowing it was for the best. I knew Greyson well enough to know he wasn’t going anywhere until he had his say.

Greyson’s gray eyes fixed on my baby bump. I wasn’t really showing the last time we saw each other and this was the first time since he left me that he had really looked at me.

“How are you feeling?”

“Do you really care?”

“I do.”

His answer caught me off guard. “You can have a seat.” I pointed to one of the cushioned patio chairs.

We both took a seat next to each other.

“Why are you here? I don’t think it’s to wish me a happy birthday.”

“It is your birthday. I forgot.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.”

His jaw tightened. “I suppose I could have been a better husband.”

“You suppose?”

“What do you want me to say? I screwed up? You deserved better?”

“I did deserve better.”

“You seemed to have moved on quickly.”

“That’s none of your business and frankly insulting coming from someone who cheated on me.”

He ran his hands through his hair and leaned forward. “Melanie, I didn’t come here to argue with you. Despite what you may believe, I am sorry.”

I scoffed.

He looked up and met my eyes. “I don’t expect you to believe me.”

I didn’t. “So you came to apologize?”

“I came to talk to you. Some things have happened that you need to be aware of.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. I was more than confused. “Our lives have been severed. Forever. You made sure of that.”

His eyes landed on my baby. “You’re carrying my son.”

“No.” I felt panicked. “You signed away your rights.”

“I did, but my mother didn’t.”

“She did when she believed your lies.”

He stood up and paced in front of me. Agitation marked his every step. “I’m under investigation and I’ve been asked to hand in my resignation.”

This was almost more stunning than him showing up here. “What did you do?”

His anger-filled eyes bore into me. “It wasn’t me.”

My gaze back said to enlighten me.

“Anya . . .”

My skin crawled hearing her name. I remembered her slinking herself over Greyson at our divorce hearing.

“She was stealing money from the bank and our relationship came to light.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have brought her to court with you.” I smirked with satisfaction.

He looked out into the distance. “It wasn’t the best idea.”

“What does any of this have to do with me?”

“Don’t be surprised if you get a call from the state regulators and the board of directors.”

“I hope you don’t expect me to tell them what a stand-up guy you are.”

“I don’t expect anything from you. I’m just letting you know so you aren’t surprised.”

“How courteous of you.”

He threw himself back in the chair next to me. “I know you hate me, but you know I would never jeopardize my job or the bank.”

“Believe me, I know how much you loved both. Are we done here?”

He rubbed his hand across his face and blew out a deep breath. “You got to be too much.”

I whipped my head toward him. “What does that mean?”

“You knew who I was when you married me. I never promised you a white-picket-fence marriage.”

“And I never asked for one. But you did promise me your fidelity.”

He turned away from me. “I came home to you every night.”

“And that made it okay?”

“No. But you wanted more of me than I could give.”

“So it’s my fault?”

His silence filled the air.

“Did you ever love me?”

He slowly turned his head my direction. The patio lights reflected in his eyes. He swallowed. “I still love you.”

My eyes widened in disbelief.

“I know that doesn’t matter now. I didn’t come here for me. My mother wants to know her grandchild.”

I felt ill inside. “If you even think about taking me to court . . .”

“I wouldn’t do that to you.”

The knot loosened in my chest.

“I’m asking you to talk to her. She’s here. We’re staying at the beachside cottages.”

“You both have a lot of nerve coming here after everything you put me through.”

“I realize that and so does she. My mistakes snowballed and now I’m paying the price. Please don’t punish her . . . she’s not in good health.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Her cancer has returned and she’s refusing treatment.”

I knew she’d had colon cancer several years ago before I ever entered the picture.

“The treatment for her is worse than the cure, but she wants to get to know her grandson before she dies.” Emotion crept into his voice.

Nothing like a little guilt. “I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you.” He stood up to leave.

I knew this was the last chance to ask him the lingering question in my mind. “What do I tell my son about you?”

His gray eyes hit me with such force. It wasn’t the first time I had felt their effect. “Tell him I will always regret never getting to know him.”