Page 41 of The Sweet Part
I level Evie with a hard look. “Fine. I’ll take a paternity test.”Even though I never slept with you.
She waves airily. “That’s not necessary. I know it was you.”
May slams her car door and peels away.
“She seems upset,” Evie says.
“You think?”
* * *
May
Some first date. A pregnant woman shows up, and Mason just tries to get rid of her. Who does that? He’s not the man I thought he was. I dash at a tear. The man doesn’t deserve my tears. This was supposed to be casual. I shouldn’t care so much.
I look to the ceiling, blinking back tears. Then I start cleaning like a madwoman. I need to get the house ready for a party that happens in less than three hours.
My phone rings. Mason again. I send it to voicemail. There’s nothing to talk about. We had one night of great sex. That’s all.
I gather old magazines and school papers from the end table and shove them in the coffee table drawer. The door doesn’t shut right away. I smack it into place. So what if last night was phenomenal? He was sweet, attentive, and generous in and out of bed. He got me flowers, chocolate, and wine. My three favorite things. And great sex, company, and food. I started thinking maybe we could meet up casually again.
I turn and arrange the throw pillows on the sofa. I punch a pillow. And then this pregnant woman shows up, and he doesn’t even care!
How could I have been so wrong about him? And why do I care so much? It’s not like we had a future.
I need coffee. I barely slept last night. My body heats at the memory. No. That’s over.
I guzzle down a cup of coffee and get the vacuum cleaner out. A text chimes on my phone. Mason:Can we talk?
I ignore it. I saw his true colors this morning. It just makes it that much easier to let him go.
Sophie gets home and goes straight to her room to pick out her birthday party outfit. I pour myself a second cup of coffee, guzzle it down, and get back to work.
Finally, the house is clean and decorated for Sophie’s party. There. I’ve done my part. I collapse on the sofa.
Sophie runs downstairs and joins me. “Thank you, Mommy. Everything looks so pretty.”
I pull her close and kiss the top of her head. “You’re welcome.” I put up pink and purple streamers along with pink, purple, and white balloons I blew up myself. Probably should’ve sprung for the already inflated balloons at the party store. At least all that deep breathing calmed me down.
The doorbell rings, and I plaster on a smile, prepared to meet the party guests.
Sophie looks through the front window. “It’s Mason! He came!”
I answer the door, smile frozen in place. “Hi, Mason. You’re the first one here.”
“Mason!” Sophie hugs his leg. “Thank you for the present.”
“Happy birthday.” He hands her a gift, and she runs to put it on the gift table.
“May, that woman this morning just wanted money,” Mason says in a low voice.
I hold up a palm. “No need to explain.”Of course she wants money for the baby.
My focus firmly on Sophie, I have her help me retrieve the party-favor bags from our apartment on the third floor. I can feel his eyes boring into me as I go upstairs. He doesn’t owe me any explanation. It’s over.
* * *
Mason
