Page 47 of Losing Faith

“His or his offspring’s?”

“The kid’s,” she clarifies.

“She isn’t in the picture.” I shrug my pants off before holding a different pair in front of me in the mirror. I tilt my head to the side and decide to try the shorts on.

“This is actually perfect. There’ll be no baby mama drama. What are you waiting for?”

“Did you ignore the part where I said Idon’twant to sleep with him?”

“You don’t want to, but you don’tnotwant to.” She sends me a knowing look.

I don’t disagree because she’s right. If the opportunity presents itself, I certainly won’t turn it down. Jackson is hot, and I’m sure after a while he can get the job done.

“How many kids does he have?”

“Just one girl.”

Bay smiles at my words. “A girl dad. It keeps getting better.”

“What’s so good about girl dads?”

“They’re soft,” she says as if she’s stating the obvious. “He’ll spoil the shit out of you.”

“Well, he’s rich as shit, so I’m sure he can afford to.”

Bay shakes her head at me as she throws her hands up in defeat. “You are wasting so much potential right now, Lisette. I am demanding you give this man a chance.”

“He has not said he wanted a chance with me.” I break into a laugh as I grab my shoes and walk past her. “Back the hell off playing Cupid. I thought you of all people would suggest I steer clear of relationships in the state I’m in. Especially with a kid involved. Wejustdecided motherhood was scary.”

“No,” she counters. “You and your mommy issues decided motherhood was scary.” She follows after me and flops on my bed as I work my boots on.

“You’re right, though,” she continues when I don’t reply. “This can go up in flames very quickly… the fire might feel good though.” She says the last part more to herself.

“Yeah, when doesn’t it feel good when it’s a man who’s good to you?” Relationships ending because the man is too good and you’re not in a good mental space willalwaysbe worse than ending it because he treats you like shit.

It hurts so much more when they’re perfect and you’re the problem. You have no one to blame but yourself.

Chapter Fifteen

Lisette

I’mwalkingtoJackson’scarwhen I see Isabelle looking out her window. When her eyes meet mine, her entire face lights up as she starts wiggling in her seat.

“Lissy!”

I let out a laugh as I reach into the car to give her a high five. “What’s up, kiddo?” I squeeze her fat cheeks and she giggles in her seat.

“Dad said we were coming to pick up a surprise person, but I’m so glad it’s you.”

I glance over at Jackson, but he’s not paying us an ounce of attention as he aggressively types into his phone.

When I look back over at Isabelle, she holds up a bouquet of blue crocheted flowers and a smile touches my lips.

“Daddy said you were feeling sad again.”

I take the bouquet from her, and she reaches over to grab something else. She holds out a box to me now, and I take it from her. When I open it, I realize it’s fried Oreos.

“Did you make these?”

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