Page 6 of Second Chance Wedding
“I’ll pay whatever it takes. Just don’t call the police. Maybe it can be buffed out?” she asked, focusing entirely on her task and frantically wiping as though if she scrubbed hard enough, she could erase more than the paint of the yellow bollard the teenager had hit.
“Ana.”He’d commanded soldiers who jumped when he spoke, but she acted like she didn’t hear him. Or maybe she was desperate enough to avoid the reality of the moment and her problematic kid, not to mention the question he asked, however silently. “Benjamin,” he said, shifting his gaze to the boy, “go inside and get your mom a bottled water. Now.”
The boy puffed up his chest like he was going to argue. Cole held the boy’s gaze and silentlyhopedthe teen would cause more trouble because taking the boy to the ground would allow Cole to blow off the steam that had to be billowing out of his ears at this point.
Though seeing Ana like this, he could tell she’d undoubtedly step in to protect her son if he dared try to teach the boy some manners.
Benjamin finally trudged away, glaring at Cole over his shoulder.
Cole turned his attention back to see Ana still wiping at the scrapes that went along with the dents. “Ana, stop. That’s not helping.”
“Itmust. Youcan’tcall the police.”
Her voice was nearly a sob. “Look at me, Ana.”
With the boy gone and the kitchen staff’s smoke break over, the alley now held only the two of them with a few valets lingering at the entry point and too far away to hear anything.
He wanted answers before anyone else joined them and kept him from getting them. “Stop. Ana,stop. Is Benjamin mine?”
“What?”
“Did you get pregnant when I came home for Christmas that last time? Is that why you called things off? Did…did your parents make you break up with me?”
She’d squatted in front of the damaged fender, holding onto the metal in a white-knuckled grip like she’d fall over if she didn’t.
At his questions, she finally stopped wiping, and he watched as she momentarily leaned her forehead against the back of her wrists.
Even in the darkness, he could see how her body trembled, and he steeled himself against the protectiveness it evoked.
“No,” she whispered finally.
“Nowhat?” He reached out and gently grasped her elbow, drawing her upright and tugging her a step over to grasp her other elbow so that she faced him and had to look at him.
“No, he’s not yours.”
He’d have to be deaf not to hear the way her voice had thickened with tears, but he hardened his heart due to the rage and the pain he still felt after all these years.
“I’m sorry, Cole. Iam. I-I did everything wrong. I handled everythingwrong,but please don’t take your anger with me out on Benji. Please don’t call the police.”
“Trust me, sweetheart; the anger I feel at him stealing the limo has nothing to do with how I feel about you.” He tried not to notice the way she flinched at his words or how her lips trembled with emotions she held in check. “But since we’re on the subject, let’s set the record straight, shall we? You ended things with me without any excuse. Because you were screwing around with another guy?”
“No.”
“When’s his birthday?” Her lips pressed into a flat line that told him all that he needed to know. More than he wanted to know. “His age and our breakup don’t add up, Ana. You want to try again?”
Ana shook her head, denying the claim despite the facts.
“No.”
“Ana.”
“Ididn’t!I did not cheat on you.”
Cole released his hold. He raked his fingers through his short hair and fought the urge to shout. After all these years, it didn’t matter. Yet apparently it still did. “My brothers saw you at that party.”
“I’d already broken up with you,” she said, her tone flat. “I’d already… We werenottogether when I went to the grad party.”
She inhaled, and after a long moment, she lifted her face. Met his gaze.
