Page 52 of Off-Limits Silver Fox Billionaire

“Thank you so much, Ally.”

She hugged me, and it felt nice to have a little support, so I enjoyed her embrace for some time before pulling back.

The doorbell rang as Allison hurried out of the kitchen. “Don’t worry, I’ll get it,” I said to her, then headed for the door while she dashed up the stairs and called on Samuel to meet her up there.

I pulled the door open without checking the peephole first and once I saw Josh standing there, I stepped back in and pushed it close. He moved faster than me and stopped the door from shutting with his hand.

“Bree, hey,” he said and forced the door open again.

I hardened my jaw and crossed my hands over my chest as I faced him now. “What do you want, Josh?” I asked as I stared at him.

Josh looked even more handsome today. His chin was clean-shaven and his hair was slicked back on his head. I could smell his thick, musky scent from where I stood, and it threatened to make me lose my guts.

“It’s the ultrasound today,” Josh said to me and the frown on his face depend. “I didn’t forget”

“Well, you should have. I don’t need you to babysit me, Josh” I told him. My heart was racing, and I was trying my best to stay indifferent even though I could feel tears swimming to the surface now.

Do I have to cry about everything?I wanted to scream at myself, but I maintain my calm demur and stayed calm.

“Bree I know you’re angry, but this is our baby and I told you, I would be there every step of the way. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you do this on your own.”

“This is not your decision, Josh,” I answered, shocked that my voice sounded so stern. “I don’t want you to come with me and that’s final, so, please…Would you please just back off.”

“Everything okay here?” I heard Allison ask behind us, and I turned to see her dressed in a white robe with a white towel wrapped around her hair. “Hi, Mr. Sanders, how’s it going?”

Josh's hard gaze held onto mine for a long second and I feared he would insist on coming with me. Truth was I couldn’t stand being close to him like this. Not when my heart still wanted him.

“Everything is fine,” I said to Allison. “Mr. Sanders was just leaving.”

I made emphasis on his last name, and I caught the flash of hurt in his eyes before he backed away. “Good morning to you, Allison,” he said, then turned and walked away from me.

It took a moment for me to regain composure again, and I closed the door gently, then rested on it and sank to the ground.

“You alright, honey?” Allison asked, a look of concern etched into her soft features.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need a minute and I’ll be fine.”

23

JOSH

Bree’s cold shoulder left me thinking about her for the rest of the day. Iris and I were at the nursing home now, and it took some minutes before a nurse brought Jenny to see us.

Jenny’s smile widened once she saw Iris, and they hugged while I stood in a corner and waited for her to notice me. The nurse excused us, and I kept my gaze pinned on Jenny. The years had aged her considerably. Her skin was paler than its usual olive tone. She had wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and her once blonde hair was now a blend of silver and gold.

“I missed you, Iris. How have you been, and how is Mrs. Thomas? It’s been a while since she dropped by the bakery for some scones. When you see her next, tell her I’ve got a new recipe to share with her. It’s all I’ve done this past weekend,” she said and hugged Iris again.

Iris looked at me when she pulled away from Jenny, and a wistful smile spread out on her lips. “She thinks I’m in high school,” she said as tears filled her eyes, then she faced Jenny again.

“Mom, there’s someone here for you,” Iris said, then she stepped out of the way so Jenny could see me.

Jenny’s right hand moved to her chest once she did, and she instantly broke into tears. Her blue eyes clouded because of it, and her cheeks reddened.

“Oh, Josh,” she sobbed. “I thought you’d never forgive me…I thought I would never see you again.”

My throat tightened. I was rooted to the spot where I stood, and my entire body shook with grief as Jenny closed the distance between us and wrapped her hands around my neck.

I didn’t move or pull back. I just let her hug me for a few seconds before my hands swooped around her back to hold her in place. Jenny sobbed for a long time, and she kept telling me how sorry she was.

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