Page 98 of Losing Faith

“So how does it work?” She looks between us and when I look at Jackson, it’s clear he doesn’t have an answer, so I step in.

“Well, you already have a mom. Everyone has a mom because when we’re babies, we’re in our mommy’s tummy, then we’re born and we’re here. So you have a tummy mommy, but she’s not here and that’s okay. If you get a second mommy, your dad has to get married and that’ll be your mom.”

It’s clear this makes perfect sense to her as she lights up. “Daddy, you should marry Mia!”

Jackson stifles a laugh, and Iknowwhatever this is wouldn’t work. I know that and I don’t want to explore whatever’s pulling us together only to disappoint them, but still, jealousy begins to sprout within me at whoever this is.

Jackson takes his daughter from me to carry her. “I can’t marry your ballet teacher, penguin.”

I force a smile on my face as I ruffle her hair. “Your dad is also pretty uglyandsmelly, so I don’t think he’ll ever get married.”

Isabelle covers her mouth with her hand as she giggles.

“You don’t need a second mommy.” I kiss her cheek. “Your dad is all you need.” I feel Jackson watching me, but I keep my smile on Belle and continue to convince myself that I’ll never fit in their perfect picture.

Chapter Thirty

Jackson

“Don’tflirtwithheragain.”I shut my office door behind me and Rome tosses the paperweight in the air before catching it, a smirk playing on his lips.

“She’s hot.” He glances over at me, his smirk still present. “Nice tits too.”

“Watch it, kid,” I warn one last time as I walk over to my seat.

“She your nanny or something?”

I lean back in my seat as I study him. “Why is it so hard to believe that I take care of my kid on my own?” I ask, remembering his last assumptions of me only seeing my own daughter on weekends.

“Because you’re a man,” he deadpans.

“Men are more than capable of raising kids. Boys choose not to. Learn the difference and choose wisely which one you want to be.” I gesture to the chair in front of me. “Sit.”

He does before a smile lights up his face. “Before we start, was that Sire Griffin driving out of your driveway when I pulled in?”

I nod. “He’s not going to watch you play until the charges for beating up Chase are dropped.”

Rome sinks in his seat at that. I feel bad that this is happening to him, but I’m at the end of my rope here—there’s been no good news since we last met.

“He’ll watch you on TV though. He said he’ll let me know if he has any tips after watching you play.”

I see the bit of hope he regains.

“Is there any chance you can set up a meeting for him to tell me himself? If he has any tips, I mean.”

I tell him I will before jumping into the meeting. “We need to do a major cleanup on your image. We tried getting your contracts back after releasing our statements, but there’s too much damage done.”

Rome runs his hand down his face before sulking in his seat. “I’m supposed to go to the basic needs kitchen the day before Thanksgiving,” he says, monotone as ever. “It’s something my sisters and I do every year in the neighborhood I grew up in. We relied on that kitchen for Thanksgiving growing up, so we give back. My sisters think I should post about it, but people are going to think it’s just to look good.”

“That’s… really good of you.” I watch him, surprised by his words since I thought he grew up rich but it’s clear there’s more to him than his spoiled attitude. “You should post a bit about it. There’s always going to be people who think you’re doing it for the press, but stay true to yourself.”

I open my laptop. “Share your calendar with me. I have multiple other events you will be participating in andtheseare for the press, but we need all the help we can get.”

He pulls out his phone.

“For the charity event, do not bring a date,” I warn him.

“Why?”

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