Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

chapter 644

Their faces tightened with suspicion. "Who are you?" one asked sharply.

It hit me-they didn't recognize me. We'd met before, but that was years ago, and they'd aged since then.

"I'm... a friend of Desmond's," I lied, keeping my tone light. No way would they tell me anything if I revealed the real reason I was here. "I heard he had a baby and thought I'd check in." Their eyes darted to each other, their unease palpable. "We've never seen you before," one said, voice sharp with doubt. "And Desmond never mentioned a

friend like you."

Their guardedness made sense-these days, you couldn't be too careful with all the scams and con artists around.

I offered a gentle smile as I handed over the small gifts I'd brought. "It's okay. I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. That's all."

But they didn't take them. "We don't know you, and we're not comfortable with

this."

With that, they turned and walked away.

I stayed rooted in place, watching them go. Following them would only make things worse, pushing their suspicion or fear over the edge.

Still, where was the child? Was he cared for by a nanny?

went to the property management office, left the gifts with them, and casually asked if they could pass them along.

fine," the property staff said. "They dotes on him. They take him out to play every day-usually

gestured toward a small play area

that boy like gold," he added. "Though I heard

to care for him. See over

woman gently pushing a baby carriage near the

the couple doesn't want to hear it. You might as well take those

Desmond's parents weren't just cautious-they were set in their

not to push further. Still, I left the gifts

hoping to catch a glimpse of Desmond's child. As Lena had said, he was the cutest, chubbiest little thing. His fair skin looked impossibly soft, and his eyes sparkled like

help but take

"Keira?!"

a second to place her, but I recognized her immediately-Whitney.

a family doctor now?" I asked, genuinely

leaving the hospital, I struggled to find a good job, so I ended

in the stroller began squirming. Whitney picked him up, patting his back,

to hold you?" I teased, holding my hands

passed

tiny hands grabbed at my cheeks, tugging at my