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?

gifts with them,

Oh, he's doing just fine," the property staff said. "They dotes on him.

gestured toward a small play area within the

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

in a doctor to care for him. See over

I spotted a middle-aged woman gently pushing a baby

want to hear it. You might as well take those

off guard. Desmond's parents weren't just

decided not to push further. Still, I left the gifts

chubbiest little thing. His fair skin looked impossibly soft, and his eyes sparkled like tiny stars. The baby noticed me watching and flashed

the iciest heart. I couldn't help but

"Keira?!"

startled me, and I looked up to see a woman 'standing nearby. It took a second to place her, but I recognized her immediately-Whitney. She used to work with

family doctor now?"

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

picked him up,

hold you?"

passed him to

second he was in my arms, his tiny hands grabbed at my cheeks, tugging at my