Page 97 of Losing Faith

“I really appreciate your honesty.” I kiss her cheek before holding her tighter so I can stand while carrying her and she wraps her legs around me.

When I look over at Jackson, he’s already watching us with a smile. He looks in awe as he watches me carrying his kid.

I quickly look over at the counter to the apple pie. “Did you make this?”

Isabelle nods excitedly. “The first one got burned. It was Daddy’s fault, but I chose not to fire him.”

I stifle a laugh, and when I glance at Jackson, he rolls his eyes.

“Well, thank goodness you’re so forgiving. He really needs this job. I’m sure he would’ve been on the streets if you let him go.”

Jackson lets out a loud laugh from beside us before taking a step closer and leaning over to kiss his daughter’s cheek. He’s so close, I cansmellhim. Fresh laundry and a smoky cologne engulfs me, but I don’t step away. Not even when he stands at his full height and looks down at me. He just stares at me with a smile and I feel the corner of my lips tug upwards as he watches me like I’m all he wants.

There’s a knock on the door and he rolls his eyes in annoyance before tucking a hair behind my ear. “She’s right, you do look a lot better.” He leans down and places the softest kiss on my cheek. He walks away before I can respond, and when I hear the door opening, a second later, a loud voice fills the house.

I rest Belle on the counter because she’s getting heavy and before I can ask her about her day, a voice speaks from behind me.

“Well,hello,” someone drawls.

I turn to see a man only a little shorter than Jackson. His hair is buzzed, and bleached blonde. I quickly realize he’s Jackson’s client. He’s hot and looks young, which explains the bratty attitude Jackson is always complaining about.

He glances over at Isabelle before his smile lands on me. “You must be her mom.” He goes on before I can correct him.

“Her dad told me you two weren’t together.” He closes the distance between us, takes my hand, and kisses the back of it. “I’m Rome, like the city.”

“She doesn’t care, like the rest of us,” Jackson answers from behind him.

I narrow my eyes as I focus on him. “How old are you?”

A smile grows on his face. “I can be however old you want me to be.” He takes a step closer.

I stifle a laugh as I pull my hand away.

Behind him, Jackson lets out a groan. “He’s nineteen, but we’re having him tested because he might’ve been swapped with a nine year old.”

Rome glares at Jackson as if he just blew his cover.

“Well,” I start. “I’m afraid you’re fifteen years younger than I like my men.”

His head snaps back to me, but I go on before he can open his smart mouth again.

“And I’m not her mom.”

“Oh, well even better,” Rome replies and I feel my brows furrow.

“Why would that be better?” Belle speaks up now. “Why doesn’t anyone want to be my mom?”

I turn on my heels to face her. “What?”

Her shoulders are slouched as she looks between all of us and my heart sinks.

“Go to my office, Rome.” Jackson shoves him out of his way before walking to Belle. “That isn’t true, baby.” He cups her small face in his hand and she looks up at him.

“Yeah, it is. I don’t have a mom and Ms. Rose doesn’t want to be my mom. EvenMiadoesn’t want to be my mom. Mia is great… What did I do?”

I have no clue who Mia is but I lift her into my arms again. “You’re the best kiddo, Belle. If someone doesn’t want to be in your life, it hasnothingto do with you.”

“Yeah,” Jackson joins, kissing her head. “And Rose and Mia can’t justbeyour mom, baby. That’s not how it works.”

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