Page 141 of Losing Faith

She lets out a scoff. “Right, and inviting her over for Thanksgiving is keeping your relationship away from her. I was born at night, but not last night, Jackson. I’m aware she spent the night.”

I go still. “That’s different. She was there because—” I cut myself off from telling her Sire wanted me to keep her close, knowing that won’t help Lisette’s case. “Belle didn’t know she spent the night. The idea of us is on her mind, yes, but she doesn’t know we’re dating and I spoke to her about that.”

“So she’s making you lie to your daughter? You never did that before.”

“You’reimpossible,” I snap, instinctively switching to our native language as my temper grows. “She’s not making me do anything.I’mthe one who doesn’t want her to know about my relationship with her.”

She nods condescendingly as she leans against the counter. “If she was so great, you would’ve told Belle.”

“No, I wouldn’t have and you know that. I don’t just tell her about every girl in my life.”

“But you go out of your way to lie about this one.”

“I changed my mind.” I give up. “I don’t need you to babysit for me, but thank you.” I turn on my heels to get my kid before she can say anything.

Chapter Forty-One

Jackson

ItriedcallingSire,butmy calls are going to voicemail for some reason. Not letting that stop me, I go to his house and Vidia opens for us.

“Hey, Jackson.” She smiles up at me before I give her a hug.

“Hey, V.” I kiss her cheek as Belle rushes past me. “Excuse me?” I turn to her as she searches for the dog. “What do you say to Titi?”

She quickly turns on her heels to hug her aunt. “Hi, where’s Athena?”

Vidia laughs at her before kissing the top of her head. “She’s taking a nap, beba, but you can wake her up. I need to feed her soon.”

“Oh, I can give her a treat.”

“Okay.” Vidia laughs at her excitement. “You know where the treats are, but don’t give her too many. She needs to have dinner.”

She takes off to get the dog.

When Vidia turns to me, her smile falls. “You okay?”

I’m not, but I’m not about to tell her about my mother, so I nod in return. Stepping further in, she closes the door behind me. “Is Sire here? I was hoping you two could watch Belle for a few hours. I know it’s last minute, but I—”

“Jackson, it’s okay,” she says with a laugh. “You can drop her off at any time without notice, you know that.”

“Thank you.” My shoulders sag. “I’m going out and I can pick her up later tonight, but she begged me to let her sleepover. I already have her bag since she was originally going to sleep at my mom’s, but if you’d rather me get her, I can.”

“Jackson, please stop.” She laughs at me as she walks over to her couch. “Why do you act like she’s never slept here every time you drop her off?Of courseshe can spend the night.”

I smile at her as I sink onto her couch. “I just feel bad and I worry about her too much when I’m not around.”

Understanding covers her face. “That makes sense, but I promise she’s okay here.”

I nod, knowing she’s right.

“Are you going out with a girl or is this for work?” She smiles again as she glances over at my suit and I feel a blush meet my face.

“It’s work.”

She nods to herself as she picks up the remote and turns to her TV. “So I’m crazy and there’snotanything going on between you and Lis.”

My blush deepens and she turns to me with the brightest smile.

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