“Jamie, don't you dare hang up on—”
I end the call and watch them through the leaves. Honey walks in behind them, slipping into the opposite side of the booth. Ella bounces in her seat, scribbling all over a kids’ menu while Tiff threads her fingers through those pigtails I can’t stop thinking about. I want to look away. My sanity needs me to, but I can’t tear my eyes from them. They’re talking. Laughing. Looking like a goddamn family.Myfamily… except I’m not in the picture.
And yeah, the thought guts me. I’m lucky if I’m even an afterthought in Tiff’s mind. Funny how this might be the first time I don’t feel like bribing someone just to pretend I matter.
The bell above the door chimes, and because the world’s a sadistic bitch, I find myself sinking lower into the booth. Zach Evans. It has to be. Of course he’d show up now. At my lowest moment since I got here.
When two guys walk in, I relax, until one of them beelines straight to Honey, wraps her in a hug that’s way too familiar, then slides into the booth next to her.
What the hell?
Since when isthatallowed? I thought she and Zach were still a thing.
The second guy flashes Tiff a smile that makes something vicious spark behind my eyes. He’s got that golden-boy glow, all dimples and good intentions, and I hate him instantly.
Then he sees Ella and drops to one knee.
“Princess Ella! Your crown, your highness!” He’s so damn loud and dramatic, I can hear him from here. He pulls a tiny tiara from behind his back, and Ella squeals and claps her hands.
Is that what Ella wants? Diamonds? Because I can fucking give her every diamond in the world if it means she’ll look at me the way she looks at that guy. Like he’s fucking Dad of the year.
That’s when it hits me.
I hate him because I want to shove him out of the way and take the spot that’s rightfully mine.
“Can you put it on me, Reese?” Her voice is high enough that it carries across the diner, and it makes everything in me melt.
It’s so perfect and so innocent.
My stomach plummets. It hits the floor and keeps falling when he carefully places the tiara on her head and Tiff watches on with a goddamn smile on her face. The kind I didn’t get when I showed up at her door, hoping for something. Anything.
“How’s my favorite princess today?” he asks, his arm casually draped across the back of the booth behind Tiff with Ella sitting in the middle.
Why the fuck is it so easy to hear them?
“Favorite? I’m not your favorite,” she says coyly.
The guy leans in, pinching her cheek. “You and Maya will always be my favorites. What have you been up to?”
“Momma and Aunt Honey took me to the park.”
“The park, huh? Big slides or swings?”
“Both!” she shouts, lighting up like a little sun. Tiff hushes her gently, still smiling.
This guy,Reese,just laughs. Unbothered and unforced. It’s warm and real. Almost like being here matters to him. And yeah, he’s good with her. Too fucking good. He’s patient with kids in a way I never learned. Present in a way I never was.
Withmydaughter.
Fuck. What have I done?
I toss some bills on the table, quickly pack my things away, and slide out of the booth with my head down and gut twisted. I don’t look back. I can’t look back at the family that feels like it will never be mine.
Outside, I press a hand to the brick wall and watch my breath fog the air.
Have I made a mistake coming here?
What the hell was I thinking?