Page 79 of Best Kept Secret

“Of course there is. You probably have an excuse for everything. Well, guess what? It’s too late. Now, give me my bag.”

“I was afraid you’d hate me.”

“More than I do now? I’m not sure that’s possible.”

He swallowed hard, and she saw the veins pulsing on the sides of his neck. She’d made him angry too, but it served him right for lying and deceiving her for weeks.

Annie squealed in the background, and the sound temporarily distracted her. That sweet little girl. None of this was her fault. This was all on him.

“I didn’t want you to think less of me. I didn’t want you to believe all the things Jared said about me.”

“So, lying and passing your child off as your sister’s was your solution?”

“You caught me off guard the first time you saw me with Annie. I wasn’t ready to tell anyone yet, least of all you.”

She shook her head and studied him like she’d never seen him before, and she hadn’t, not really. She’d only seen what she’d wanted to and not what was right in front of her face the entire time. At that moment, she was almost as disgusted with herself as she was him.

“None of this matters, Hudson. Not anymore. You lied to me, not once but repeatedly. And what’s worse is I had to find out from your ex-girlfriend, or ex-wife, or whatever she is.”

“Ex-girlfriend,” he grumbled. “She has a boyfriend, Alex.”

“Does Alex know about me too? Am I the only one who was left in the dark?”

“I’m not sure what Sonia told him, but it doesn’t matter.”

“You’re right, it doesn’t, because I’m leaving. Now, for the last time, give me my bag.”

She held out her hand, but he didn’t budge. Glancing behind him, she saw that Sonia had moved further away and had her back to them. Knowing the woman she’d overheard talking in the hair salon was his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child rankled her all over again.

“I get that you’re pissed at me. I’m pissed at me too, and so is just about everyone else I know. But hear me out, please.”

Something in his voice made her pause, even though she couldn’t imagine ever forgiving him. “You have two minutes.”

“Thank you.”

She nodded and crossed her arms over her chest. It was hard to even look at him. And to think, a few minutes ago, she’d been having the time of her life.

“Sonia didn’t tell me she was pregnant until right before Annie was born. She planned on raising her with Alex. She and I were never going to be together, and we both knew it.” He took a deep breath and then continued. “I was shocked when I found out I was going to be a father. I never expected this to happen, believe me.”

She flinched at the phrase believe me, and he definitely noticed. “Go on,” she said.

“The only people I told were my parents, my sister, and Jared. I was ashamed and embarrassed, and I didn’t want anyone else to know, including you. I needed time to process the news before I could share it with anyone else. That was what I told myself, but I was wrong. I made the biggest mistake of my life by not telling you, and I don’t blame you for hating me. But next to Annie, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and I just want you to know that.”

Then he slipped her bag off his shoulder and handed it to her. “Do you want me to go inside and get the rest of your things?”

Sonia had turned around and was slowly walking toward them.

“No. I’ll get them some other time.”

“Okay,” he said and stepped back.

Averting her eyes, Kelsey dug into the beach bag and pulled out her keys. Then she unlocked the car, opened her door, and flung the bag into the passenger seat. All she could think about was getting away from here, and then Annie let out a loud cry that gave her pause.

“Your daughter needs you,” she said, her voice breaking. Before he could say another word, she slid into the driver’s seat and slammed the door.

Her hands were shaking as she started the car, and tears pricked the corners of her eyes. It was all she could do to hold them back, but she refused to let him see her cry.

She didn’t look, but she knew he had gone to rejoin Annie and Sonia, his child and her mother. Her heart aching, she backed out of the spot and drove away, determined not to look back. She was horrible at following rules, though, even her own. She made the mistake of glancing in the rearview mirror, and she saw him lift Annie out of the baby carrier and into his arms. He hugged her tighter than she’d ever seen him do before, and Annie nestled her head against his chest like it was her favorite place on earth.