I kept hoping someone would come down with a twenty-four hour flu, but no such luck. It just wasn’t in the cards, so here we were in Jack’s hot car headed to my doom—otherwise known as my parents’ house. He still seemed excited to go, crazy ass.

We pulled up and I just sat there, staring out the window. “You ready? Harper?” he asked, putting his hand on my knee. Ugh, the poor man had no idea what waited for him.

“Why don’t you just go in without me and let me know how it goes?” I covered his hand with mine and gently patted it, gesturing with my head toward the house of horrors.

He chuckled and grabbed my hand. “It’ll be fine, baby. I promise.” Then he slid out. My eyes widened and everything in my body wanted to scream, Noooo, don’t do it! But instead, I remained frozen in silent shock.

Thinking there might be a chance he’d forget me in the car, I stayed seated. But no. Dude remembered and even opened my door for me. Damn him and his gentlemanly manners.

He bent down and grasped my hand. “You trust me?” His eyes filled with mirth.

I looked at him and nodded. Really. The man had no clue. He put my hand to his mouth and kissed it as we walked up the driveway. God, he was sweet. The scent of a freshly cut lawn wafted up and greeted us, and the flowerbeds were all just so. I could only imagine the list of jobs Mom gave to Dad before we came over.

We turned the corner, and Charlie was sitting there by herself in the shade, probably avoiding the food smells in the house. She stood, and her eyes nearly bugged out. Yeah, baby sis, I know.

“Hey, Charlie, this is Jack. Jack, my sister, Charlie.”

She stared at him mutely, then stuck her hand out. “Hi, Jack, nice to meet you. Don’t mind me. I’m just hiding out from Mom’s lasagna. Oh, there’s nothing wrong with it.” She laughed nervously. “This baby just comes with bionic nose benefits.” She pointed down toward the not-yet-existent baby bump.

“Congratulations on your good news,” he told her, and she finally released his hand. I totally understood, though—Jack had that effect on people.

“Well, I guess we should go in and meet the rest of them,” I said, scowling at the house, not looking forward to the circus that awaited us.

“Good luck,” Charlie called after us in an annoying singsong. At least this probably did something to lift her mood and get her mind off her all-day sickness.

Mom nearly jumped on Jack the moment we set foot into the house. “Nice to meet you, Jack. This is my husband, Ron, and this is Charlie’s husband, Pete.”

We all started chatting, and Jack quickly got absorbed into the male clan. The other two convinced him to show off his car. Good grief.

With them gone, Mom gave me the hug of a thousand moms. “Oooff, thanks, Mom.”

“He’s perfect for you, and he’s so handsome. You were right. And don’t think we didn’t see him kiss your hand in the driveway. I nearly swooned,” she squealed and clasped her hands in front of her chest.

Oh, good Lord.

“The lasagna smells wonderful. When can we eat?” So we can leave.

“Harper,” she said in an admonishing tone. “The boys are out front admiring your boyfriend’s fancy schmancy car. I noticed it, too.” She turned around to the stove and cleared her throat. “I bet he doesn’t even have to eat ramen noodles every day to pay for it.”

And jab number one was finally in, folks. I was wondering when she’d fit that first one in. I needed to sit down for this, so I took a seat on one of the recovered kitchen roller chairs they had since the beginning of time.

“He likely doesn’t have any ramen noodles in his penthouse apartment,” I countered back sarcastically.

Oh shit. Why did I say that? God, that sounded braggy. This house turned me into a bratty teenager, I swear.

Mom spun around so fast, the sauce on her spoon flew everywhere. “Penthouse? He lives in a penthouse and I’m making him lasagna?” More spoon flicking. More sauce flying. “I should have made something fancy.” She turned back to the stove, stirring like a madwoman and muttering to herself. “I’ll enroll in those gourmet cooking classes Janet was talking about,” she promised the bubbling meat sauce.

This was going well. “Mom, Jack loves lasagna. I had some at his restaurant.” Jesus, please don’t strike me down dead for lying. The woman was clearly on the verge of hysterics.

She turned around, shoulders sagging in relief. “Are you sure? Was it regular lasagna or fancy lasagna?”

I wouldn’t survive if she used the word “fancy” one more blessed time.

“Mom, regular. Honest. Garlic bread and everything. I actually like your garlic bread better.” It’s not a lie if nobody finds out, right?

“I do make good garlic bread.” She nodded at the stove. “The secret is in the butter mixture. I can teach Jack if he wants to know.”

Shit.

The boys came back in, yapping about carburetors and MPG and XYZ. Boring car shit. I motioned to Jack that I was going outside to escape.

Poor Charlie was still sitting out there all by herself.

“Close the door, Harper. I can smell the lasagna from here.” She covered her nose and mouth with her hands. Quickly, I shut the door behind me. Sheesh, she’s grouchy tonight.

“How are you feeling?” I asked as I sat down beside her.

“How am I feeling? I don’t have a shit-hot restaurateur boyfriend, but I’m fine if you don’t take into consideration the barfing, the stretch marks, and boobs that feel like they are on fire. On fire, Harper! Why the fuck do my boobs feel like someone has taken a blowtorch to them?”

Due to the laws of the universe on bringing home your new boyfriend, Jack decided to open the door at that exact moment. Oh dear. I’d never seen Charlie achieve that color of mortification before, but she did look cute under all that curly red hair that now matched her face.

“Harper, any idea why your mother wants to teach me how to make garlic bread? Is there something you want to tell me?” He eyed me suspiciously as he sauntered down the steps toward me. Dammit.

“Umm, yeah. A bunch of crazy people found me in a corn field and took me home to raise?” Hopefully, he accepted that excuse and didn’t probe any further.

Jack sat next to me and squinted his eyes. “Uh-huh. Anyway, it’s getting a bit intense in there. Your mom is trying to get your dad to go back to the grocery store, but he’s refusing. And I’ve lost count how many handfuls of pickles and cheese your mom made me eat so far.”

“That’s not intense. That’s just every day here in the looney bin,” Charlie explained, smoothing out her long tan pants.

“There’s got to be enough food to feed fifty people in there.” He looked intently at both of us, as if this was something odd, some kind of newly discovered, shocking information.

“Only fifty? Maybe Dad should go back to the store,” I said, and Charlie and I doubled over in laughter. “Oh, come on, Jack. You have to laugh or you’ll cry. That’s how my parents are. You can fake a twenty-four hour virus next time if you want.”

“No, he damn well can’t. If I have to show up after barfing all day, he can drag his ass over, too,” Charlie huffed and crossed her legs. “These stupid pants are getting tight already. Can you explain how the hell I’m gaining weight when I hardly eat, and barf up whatever I do eat? This seems unfair.” She began the process of pulling at her seams like she was trying to stretch them or something. Someone shoot me.

“You’re growing a brand-new person, Sis. They take up space,” I said, trying to comfort her with my words of wisdom. Jack put his arm around me and pulled me closer.

“The baby needs to take up space in my thighs? And ass? Really? This seems like overkill to me. I have no problem with an expanding stomach, but what’s with the ass expansion?” She glared at me. “And the baby is the size of pea right now. How much space does he need?” she asked critically, and I had to admit, the crazy woman made a great point.

I peeked over at Jack, wondering if he regretted his decision to come outside. He seemed stoic enough, so I let him be. After all, he could have said no to coming. But I felt slightly sorry for him though, because he likely had no clue what he was getting himself into.

“Anyway, Mom said she wants to sign up for gourmet cooking classes. You know the ones Janet is always talking about?” I gave Charlie a knowing look.

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no!” Charlie turned to Jack with pleading eyes. “You need to stop her.” And just as quickly her mood changed to that of anger, and she inhaled deeply before continuing her rant. “This is your fault. Do you know what you’ve done?” She pointed accusingly at Jack like he committed a horrible crime. “She’s going to insist on making all kinds of weird cordon bleus and demi-glaces. Fricassees, purees, croquettes, canapés.” Wow, I was certainly impressed with Charlie’s culinary vocabulary. “And you know what it’s going to taste like? It’s all going to taste horrible. Mom knows how to cook mom-food and that’s it. She can’t deviate. She just can’t branch out from normal mom-cuisine.” She shook her head from side to side, an almost feral look in her eyes. “And do you know who her guinea pigs are going to be? Us! All of us are going to have to eat her awful experimental attempts at gourmet fare.” Her head ended up in her hands as she moaned.

Oh boy. She was pregnant, but we were all along for the ride.

“Charlie, chill out, girlfriend. She’s been threatening for years to sign up for those courses. Hopefully, she’ll just forget again,” I said and shot wide eyes at Jack. She was totally not forgetting. I was just trying to calm Charlie down. Because now with Jack in the picture, Mom had more reason than ever to take those courses. I liked that. Jack being in the picture. Gazing over at him, I smiled and squeezed his hand.

“Yeah, like she’s going to forget with Mr. Wonderful here every Sunday,” she said and motioned her head toward Jack before she leaned forward to rest her head in her hands again, her beautiful hair sliding forward.

“Is there any kind of food that doesn’t make you sick, Charlie?” Jack asked her. Something funny happened to my stomach when Jack addressed Charlie in that gentle tone of his. It made my heart squeeze.

She looked up at him and answered, “I can eat, Jack. I just can’t stand to smell it cooking.”

“Why don’t you and Harper go shopping tomorrow night and I’ll bring over food? I’ll cook it at the restaurant, so her apartment won’t smell.”

I swear to God her eyes teared up.

“That’s a great idea, right, Charlie? Why don’t you come by the apartment after work?” Now I knew what that funny feeling was. Gabe never took an interest in anyone but himself. He wouldn’t have asked Charlie anything that didn’t have to do with stealing the remote control. And he certainly wouldn’t have offered to help her out.

“You would do that? Can you do that for the next seven months?” she said, and Jack laughed.

“My sister has two kids, and both times she was sick, but not for long. I bet you’re nearing the end of it,” he told her what every woman with all-day sickness needed to hear. See? He was good at this.

“You think? I hope you’re right. I feel like death every day.”

I saw Mom waving at the window. “Speaking of death, Mom is calling us in for supper.”

Jack: Come to the restaurant tonight for supper? Have to work late again and I’d love to see you.

Me: Am I allowed back in after last time?

Jack: Hmm, good point. I’ll talk to the owner and see what he says.

Me: I heard he’s a real hard ass. Good luck.

Jack: You think I have a hard ass? I’m flattered.

Me: That’s not exactly what I said, but now that you mention it, yes.

Jack: For the record, I think your ass is soft and supple and fucking delicious.

Me: What time do you want me there?

Jack: 9 p.m. I’ll reserve the back table.

I was falling head over heels for this guy. Who was I kidding? I fell a long time ago and, boy, was I in deep. The girls all gave me grief for the constant smile I wore. But I didn’t care. For the first time in my life, I had a good, decent man who cared for me.

Our last few weeks together were seamless. Jack brought me coffee in bed every morning and tucked me in each night. Often, he arrived at my place after I’d fallen asleep, but I always made sure to wake up for him. Jack’s work hours were horrendous, but he kept assuring me that after the new restaurant opened, things would slow down. While I wished I could spend more time with him, I understood his need to be away.

Sleeping wrapped in his arms was a kind of heaven I’d never experienced before. A dream I didn’t want to wake up from. And if that’s all I had from him some days, I could live with that.

Many times, I racked my brain, trying to think of when I was this happy. So far, I hadn’t thought of one.

Finishing off the last touches on my hair and makeup, I looked at myself in the mirror. Even I had to admit I looked fit to kill. Hair: extra poufy. Makeup: extra smoky. Dress: extra slutty. Okay, the dress wasn’t too slutty, but it was definitely on the scale. The amount of cleavage it displayed was probably illegal in some states, but I didn’t care. The man I wore it for would appreciate it and the effort. Then he would appreciate me. For hours.

So, it all evened out.

“Whoa, look at the hot piece of ass trying to sneak out of our apartment building.” I heard Riley hoot behind me. My manicured nails gave her a sexy wave, and my eyes shot her a sultry look before I descended the stairs to my car.

The night air felt electric and muggy. It was odd weather for this time of year. Something just felt off. I tried to dismiss my misgivings and ignore any niggling doubts that popped up. Nothing could ruin my excitement of going to see Jack.

Deep red lipstick matched my dress perfectly. One last check in the visor mirror and I was good to go. Driving in these heels was going to be a challenge, but I couldn’t wait to see Jack’s expression when he saw the total package.

I parked near the entrance to Vine. It hadn’t started raining yet, thank God, but you knew it was coming. For good measure, I stuffed my emergency umbrella into my purse. Mom would be proud.

Two steps into the foyer I saw the place was packed. My heart swelled with pride knowing that so many people loved it here. The man I loved made all this possible. Yes, I loved Jack, but had yet to inform him of that fact. Call it insecurity or just being a plain old coward. That was something he would have to say first. If he even felt that way.

The minute his eyes locked onto mine, my knees weakened. How a man like Jack wanted me, I’d never understand. He stalked over, never taking his eyes off mine.

“Fucking breathtaking, my dear,” he whispered into my ear as he hugged me. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Then he leaned down and grazed my lips.

“Careful, my lipstick,” I scolded him and wiped the evidence off his lips with my thumb.

“Gorgeous, you can put your lipstick anywhere you like. I don’t mind. In fact, I strongly encourage it.” He grinned his devilish smile at me.

“You’re trouble,” I said and blushed.

He pulled me into his body. “Only for you.”

“Your table is ready, Chef.” We were interrupted once again by hostess Miranda. If I had a dollar for each time that girl showed up at an inopportune moment…

“Thanks, Miranda. I’ll handle it from here.” Jack didn’t so much as glance at her before he guided me to our special table.

“You must know, that dress of yours is doing things to me.”

He followed in behind me at the booth, and we sat down. I straightened my skirt and smiled. “Good things?”

“Good things. Bad things. It’s all how you look at it,” he said as his scorching gaze fell unapologetically on my cleavage. Soon his finger joined in and traced the plunging neckline of my dress. Heat seared every place he touched. My nipples stood at attention. I could feel it happening. But instead of feeling embarrassed, desire raged through me.

I reached my arms up gently on his shoulders and placed my lips on his for a sweet kiss that soon turned urgent. “Um, Chef?” Miranda’s voice once again blared into our ears. Good God, this woman had bad timing. Pushing away, I saw from the scowl on Jack’s face that he was none too pleased with this current intrusion.

“Miranda, I’m busy. Can it wait?” I held in my giggle at his annoyance and the fact he now wore my expensive red lipstick. Even though he said I could put my lipstick anywhere, I grabbed a napkin nonetheless. It wasn’t his color anyway.

“Not exactly? Could you maybe come with me,” she said, obviously agitated. Her arms moved from her hair to her hips and back again. Something was definitely up this time.

“I know he’s fucking here! I saw his car!” Our heads turned to the source of the screeching, only to find Beauty Queen standing by the hostess station. She was talking to one of the cooks who was trying her best to defuse the situation. What the hell?

“For fuck’s sake. Stay here, Harper,” Jack said before diving out of the booth. I knew he told me to stay here, but Beauty Queen was a thing of his past, and she needed to know that Jack and I were together now.

Sighing, I grabbed my purse, slid out of the booth, and readied myself to face Beauty Queen in all her fury.

“Daddy!” I heard a tiny girl’s voice call right before I spotted the mini Jack in pigtails launch herself into his arms. Her perfect chubby hand clutched a familiar purple sparkly pony.

A wave of nausea hit me so hard once the realization set in. Jack had a kid. He had an adorable baby girl who looked just like him. Her face lit up with joy as she kissed his face over and over again.

“You just have red icing?” she asked in her cherub voice as she wiped off the remnants of our kiss. Our last kiss. My breath hitched. I’d never kiss that man again. He lied to me. Not just a little lie either. A big, whopping, whole other human being with half his DNA kind of lie.

My heart splintered. I’m sure everyone heard the moment it happened. Something that hurt so acutely had to be audible.

“No, honey. That’s just from Daddy’s girl of the week. How about we get one of your wipes and wash your hands?” Beauty Queen announced loud enough to echo throughout the hushed restaurant.

I felt like a whore. I’d come between this family, unknowingly, but still with the same result.

Pain gripped my chest, but somehow I was able to pick my leaden feet up and dash out the doors. I heard calls of, “Harper, wait. Let me explain.” But I knew there was no explanation. Nothing he could possibly tell me would fix this situation. Jack lied. Jack didn’t trust me with the most important information in his life—his daughter.

The rain washed over me, and I welcomed it. The sky was just as devastated as I was. It didn’t even occur to me to pull the umbrella out of my purse. All I could think of was Jack inside with his family. My fists clenched, sorrow closed my throat, and my first sob was interrupted by a, “Hi, Harper. Fancy meeting you here. You get all dressed up for me?”

No, it couldn’t be? I looked up and squinted through the rain, only to see Gabe pointing what looked like a gun at me.