Chapter 50: Chapter 15: I’m the Best You’ve Ever Had.

Jamie

I tied some pink and white balloons to the tree in my backyard.

There was an array of round white tables with four chairs across my lawn, and on top, they were decorated perfectly with pink and white roses.

I got down from the ladder and looked around my garden with a smile. We had placed a balloon arch over the double back door to my yard first thing that morning.

The doors were open, and I could smell my mom’s cooking. She’d been there since the early hours cooking up a storm.

Carmen was there to help out, or so she said. She’d spent more time hugging and kissing Penelope than anything else, not that I minded.

~I love that she loves my daughter so much. She’s so good with her. I’m sure she will make a good mother someday.~

I was fixing the balloons some more when I felt his arms lace around my waist and his lips press against my cheek.

“You smell amazing, Jamie.”

I turned toward him and smiled. “So do you.”

Jack was there. I hadn’t invited him to the party. I knew it was too soon in our relationship. He’d knocked on my door an hour earlier, totally forgetting that it was Penelope’s birthday.

My mom, being my mom, had invited him to stay, and I just couldn’t say no.

He absolutely adored Penelope, and so far, he’d been getting along with the people I’d introduced him to. ~Maybe Jack turning up might be a good thing.~

“So, how was your conversation with my mother?” I asked.

The minute Jack had stepped foot in my house, I’d warned my mom to be on her best behavior, and she’d agreed. I hoped she’d stuck to her word.

“It was interesting.” He chuckled. “It went great. She’s a lovely woman. I think she’s warmed to me already, actually.”

“Well, she’s the easy one. My father is a whole other story. You’ll have your work cut out for you trying to win him over. He doesn’t like any man I date.”

I walked to a table that we had already set up with cakes and finger food.

Jack followed after me. “I’m sure I’ll win him over. So is your father going to be here today?”

“He should be here soon.” I looked at him, all tensed up and worried. “It’s going to be fine. I promise. I won’t let any harm come to you.” I chuckled.

Jack looked at me, amused. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled my body against his. “You like to mess with me, don’t you?”

I grinned. “Maybe a little!”

He moved his face closer, capturing my lips in a kiss. I liked kissing him, just like I always do. But I left him with a peck and wanting more. I didn’t want to put on a display in front of everyone.

“There she is.”

I heard his voice, and my head snapped in the direction of the double doors. He was holding Penelope in his arms, looking at us both.

“There’s your mom.”

“Mason. Hi!”

~Shit!~

The party was underway, and Mason had pulled me aside. We were standing in the front yard, hoping that it would be enough space away from everyone else.

He didn’t look happy, but that was the look I knew best on him. Unhappiness! That’s the look everyone knew on him.

“Why is he here?” he asked with a tone, the tone I expected.

I got that he was upset that Jack was there, particularly on that day.

“Please, I don’t want to make a thing of this. It’s Penelope’s birthday.”

“Exactly my point, Jamie! It’s our daughter’s birthday, and you bring along a guy you barely know.” He sighed. “What are you trying to do to me?”

“Nothing. He’s not here to cause tension. Jack and I are dating. He’s going to be around more. I didn’t actually invite him today, he stopped by, and my mom kind of insisted that he stick around.”

He clicked his tongue off the roof of his mouth. “Do you honestly expect me to believe that?”

“You know that it’s something I would ask you about first. I expect the same from you, you know. Whoever you’re seeing.”

It was an awkward conversation, but it was one that we had to have yet again.

My father’s car pulled up into my driveway, and I had that feeling of dread in my stomach, knowing that things were going to get a lot more awkward.

“Hi, Dad.”

~Please be nice. Please be nice!~ I thought. Don’t make the situation worse than it already is.

“Hi, sweetheart. You look lovely.” He gave me a hug while holding a gift bag for Penelope in his other hand.

“Thank you. So do you.”

“So, what’s going on here then?” he asked and then looked at Mason. “It looked like you two were having it out when I pulled up. Is there a problem?”

“There’s no problem, right, Mason?” I looked at him, standing on the other side of me, tanned and dressed in his designer attire.

“No, there’s no issue here.” He looked away. It was obvious how uncomfortable Mason felt being in my father’s presence.

Not that I thought he was scared of my father. But maybe he felt remorseful toward him for knocking me up and leaving me to deal with it all alone.

Now, being a father himself, I’m sure he dreaded the day Penelope would be old enough to date.

“Right, that’s believable. The cake is in the back seat. Will you bring it in, Mason?”

“Sure. We’ve got it,” I butted in, just in case he decided to give a smart reply.

My father walked inside just like I hoped he would. I walked to his car and opened the doors to the backseat. “Can you help me with this?”

Mason walked my way and looked into the back. The cake was big, too big for my little arms to carry alone. “Jamie. About that day at the hotel.”

I cut him off before he could say any more. “We don’t need to talk about that. It’s done with now. Unless you’re serious about the woman?”

That warranted an inner laugh. ~Mason Knight being serious with a woman. Give me a break!~

It was strange to think of him with another woman after everything that had happened between us.

I couldn’t lie. That day at the hotel had been weird for me. Just knowing that he’d been sleeping around again. It had made my heart ache a little. He’d never loved me enough to have only me forever.

~Honestly, he never loved me at all.~

“I don’t even know her.” Mason picked up the large cake box from the back seat and turned to face me. “We met at a bar the night before. We had drinks, and that was it.”

“Sure, okay.” I opened the door to my house and held it open for him since he was carrying the cake.

Did I believe his words? Of course I didn’t. The proof was right in front of me.

“I didn’t fuck that woman, Jamie.” He looked so agitated, clearly sensing that I didn’t believe him or perhaps sensing that I didn’t care either way.

Holding a huge cake wasn’t helping the situation either, I’m sure.

“Is everything okay?”

I turned my head around and saw Jack standing in the hallway, looking at us both.

~Muster a smile,~ I thought.

“Sure, everything is fine. We should get ready to cut this cake.”

I walked into the kitchen, and they both followed after me.

Today was going to be an awkward one, but it was my own doing. I should’ve just told Jack to leave. Though it would’ve been hard to do, it would’ve been the right decision.

Penelope had smashed the cake herself. We’d bought a bigger one to share with family and friends. I stood to the side, watching everyone else.

Ethan and his girl were sitting at a table, neither of them saying a word to each other. She still wasn’t wearing an engagement ring, and he had yet to tell us about what happened that night.

All I knew was his plan of a proposal hadn’t gone well, but they were here together today, so it couldn’t be all bad. He’d been AWOL since that night.

Carmen and Brent were having some kind of disagreement. I overheard him mentioning something about going out tonight.

It seemed like she wasn’t happy about that. Maybe she was onto him.

My mom and Jack were getting along well together, laughing and chatting while standing in the yard having some wine.

My father, on the other hand, seemed to be avoiding him like the plague since I’d introduced them a couple of hours ago. He didn’t like him. That much was clear.

I turned my head when I heard Penelope’s laugh. She was looking cute in a little white lace sundress and matching hat. She was happy, probably happiest when she had his attention.

Mason was holding her, tickling and playing with her like any father would with his daughter.

Little did I know when he showed up at the hotel that day that he would actually turn out to be a pretty great dad. It suited him. If his time away didn’t change him, Penelope sure would.

“The birthday girl looks like she’s enjoying herself,” my father said and stood beside me and watched them both. “You put on a great party for her, sweetheart. You should be proud.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I looked at him and smiled.

“So, this new guy of yours. I’m guessing Mason has a problem with you seeing him.”

I sighed at the mention of them both. My dad is a wise man. It’s clear to him that something is up.

“Well, he’s not happy that he’s here, but Mom saw Jack and invited him to stay, so here we are.”

My father chuckled. “That sounds like your mother. You know she’s just trying to help in her own way. She just wants you to find someone that’ll take care of you.”

“I don’t need a man to take care of me.”

“I know that, sweetheart. You are your father’s daughter, after all. You’re independent.”

He looked in Mason’s direction, bringing my attention over there also. “I don’t like him, but at least he’s trying.”

I smiled lightly, and he walked away.

I looked at Mason and Penelope again. He was trying. It hadn’t gone unnoticed how good he’s been with Penelope these past weeks. They’d gotten to know each other, and a great bond had formed.

Everyone had gone home, and Jack was just on his way out. It had been a long day, and I had a lot of cleaning up to do.

Honestly, I planned on doing a sink full of dishes before going to bed with a well-deserved glass of wine.

Jack stepped outside, turned around, and looked at me. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay and help you clean up? I really don’t mind.”

“No, but thank you for offering. Call you in the morning?”

He smiled. “Sure, I had fun today.” He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. “Goodnight, babe.”

“Goodnight.” I waited until he pulled out of my driveway before walking back inside.

“Babe. Really?” He clicked his tongue in disapproval.

Mason walked down the rest of the stairs and followed me into the kitchen. “Do you really see yourself with that guy?”

“Yes, because I am with that guy. Jack is nice. I like him.” I turned the tap on and started on the dishes in the sink.

“Jesus! No matter how many times you say it, it never sounds believable.” Mason picked up the wine bottle and poured himself a glass. He was making himself at home in my house.

“He’s not right for you.”

I turned around and looked at him. “Oh really, then who is? You?”

“Yes, me!” He drank from his glass, and I watched him as he gulped down his red wine. He set his sights on me again.

“You know I was planning on giving up on us after that day at the hotel. I thought to myself, what is the point in trying if she’s moved on? Luckily, I came to my senses soon after.”

“Well, I wish you hadn’t. I wish you would give up on us. It’s never going to happen,” I replied coldly and turned back to the sink so I wouldn’t have to look at him.

“Have you fucked him yet?” he asked.

I scoffed, wanting to call him an asshole right off the bat, but I decided I was better than that. I was better than the game he was playing. “That’s none of your business.”

“I’ll take that as a no.” He chuckled, finding it amusing. “No one will be as good as I was. You know it, and I know it.”

I could feel him as he moved closer, and I could see him in the glass cabinet in front of me. “Stop denying me, Jamie. Stop denying us!”

~Fuck!~ I wanted him to stop. I wanted him to leave!

~Didn’t I?~

I turned around to face him, our bodies mere inches apart. “It’s getting late. I just want to go to bed already.”

“Do you want me to leave? Because I don’t think you do.” Mason placed his hands on either side of the counter, boxing me in so I couldn’t move.

He moved his hand up and caressed my cheek. His thumb moved across my bottom lip. “It’s been too long since I’ve felt these lips.”

“Don’t,” I whispered.

He didn’t listen. Of course he didn’t. His mouth was on mine, his hips, his tongue, hot and demanding more. Mason’s hand was in my hair, and his body was pressed against me.

~What is going on?~ Honestly, in that moment, I didn’t even know. He was kissing me after all this time. I didn’t know how I felt about that.

His fingers skimmed the hem of my white sundress. He touched my inner thigh, and I quivered. I was kissing him back now, and I found all control I had was gone.

The doorbell rang, and I pushed Mason back in a total panic, causing him to knock his wine glass off the counter with his elbow.

The glass shattered, and wine was all over the tiled kitchen floor, but that was the least of my worries when I noticed the huge erection in his navy chino trousers.

My heart was pounding out of my chest. “I should get the door.” I left the kitchen and walked down the hallway toward the front door.

I wondered who it could be. I usually don’t get visitors late at night. I opened the door.

“Carmen, hey! Are you okay?”

I noticed that she had an overnight bag hanging on her arm. That’s not a good sign. I guessed she and Brent got into it after they left earlier. No surprise there.

“Can I stay with you tonight? Brent and I got into this huge argument, and I left.”

“Of course. Come on in!”

Little did she know that she’d just saved me from losing my mind altogether.

“Thanks, hon!” She closed the door after us, and we walked down the hallway.

“I can’t believe Brent. That man can be such an asshole sometimes.” Carmen paused when she noticed Mason in the kitchen cleaning up the glass. “Oh, you’re still here.”

“Mason was just about to leave, actually.” I folded my arms across my chest, feeling awkward. I couldn’t even look at him. I didn’t even know how I’d feel if I did.

“Did I interrupt something just there?” Carmen asked.

“No. Nothing.”

I moved my hands down my hair when I noticed Carmen looking at it. She had a smirk on her face now.

“I should get going.” Mason emptied the dustpan of shattered glass into the trash and set it aside.

He picked up his jacket from the counter. “I’ll see you later. We should talk, Jamie. I’ll call you.”

Carmen restrained herself from asking questions until she heard the front door open and close again. “Okay, Jamie. So, what happened with you and him? I want all the details!”

“Nothing. Nothing happened.” As if she would believe that, but it was worth a shot.