“No one could.” He blinked fast at his own stinging eyes. Now was not the time to lose control. Rylie needed him. Then a terrifying thought struck. If they’d lost Gabe, there was no reason for Rylie to stay married to him. He’d thought he had ten months to win her over, but he might only have ten minutes. What could he say?
“Rylie, I—” “Jarrett, I—” They spoke at the same time, and laughed.
“Go ahead,” Jarrett said. He needed time to think.
“I was just going to say I…” She yanked her hand free, crossing her arms and tucking it away. “To say I don’t regret getting married, no matter what.”
“You don’t?”
“No.” She tucked her plump lower lip between her teeth, and he had to force his eyes away before he had a wreck. “Because I… I love… I love being a mom.”
“That’s good,” he said, though he didn’t mean it. Her statement only confirmed his fears. If they lost Gabe, he was going to lose Rylie, too.
“What were you going to say?” she asked.
“That I hate that someone broke your heart. And that guy, the one you loved, whoever he is… don’t give him a second chance.”
Her belly laugh surprised him.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. Just that it’s kind of too late. I’m already giving him a second chance.”
“But you shouldn’t, not when he’s already hurt you. What if God has someone else for you, and you’re so stuck on this jerk you miss the other guy?”
Moisture welled in her eyes. She must really be stuck on this dude. What could he have done to earn that kind of loyalty, even though he’d broken her heart?
“You really think God has someone else for me?”
Her hands twisted in her lap, the flickering lights and shadows of the parking garage strobing their movements. Jarrett pulled into a parking place and turned off the engine.
“I know He does. Someone who will love you the way you deserve to be loved.”
Tell her it’s you, you idiot!
He leaned closer, stretching his hand to cup her chin and tilt her face up.
“Rylie, I—”
A shrill tone pierced the air, coming from multiple directions. He fumbled in his pocket for his cell phone as Rylie rifled inside her purse.
“Amber alert,” Jarrett said, scanning the message. “It’s in Pueblo, not Denver.”
His pulse was still racing as the noise died. Rylie tucked her phone in her purse and opened the door.
“Wait,” he said. “I was going to tell you something.”
“We don’t have time.” She swung her legs out and stood up. “It’s almost five o’clock. What if we need to file an appeal before their office closes?”
Her door slammed and she stood, shifting from foot to foot, motioning for him to hurry. He’d have to tell her another time. Just as well… The front seat of a car inside a fume-filled parking garage wasn’t exactly the most romantic place to hear the words I love you.
When they stepped off the elevator, Matthew’s secretary ushered them straight into his office. At least they wouldn’t have extra time to get nervous, sitting in the waiting area.
“Come in. I’m glad you were able to make it.” Matthew greeted them at the door, wearing a sheepish look. They hadn’t seen each other since that fateful night when Matthew had offered to be Carlie’s fiancé, which had been entirely unethical in Jarrett’s opinion. He’d yet to decide if he’d continue to use the man as his attorney once this business with Gabe was finished.
“We would’ve come sooner,” Jarrett said, “but I just got your message.”
Though he’d kept his expression neutral, Matthew looked at his extended hand like it was a venomous snake. He shook it for the briefest of seconds, then backed away.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d forgiven me.” Matthew said, as awkwardness floated in the air like a swarm of gnats.
“Tell us what happened.” Jarrett ushered Rylie toward the pair of chairs in front of the desk and sat beside her, holding her trembling hand.
“We got the communication this morning.” Matthew took his place behind his desk, darting a nervous glance at Jarrett. His fingers flew across the computer keyboard, the monitor lighting his face. “I wasn’t expecting her to make a recommendation this soon.”
“What kind of recommendation did she make?” Rylie’s voice had a telltale tremor, and Jarrett tightened his grip. Though she seemed determined to take the blame, he wasn’t about to let that happen, no matter what objection Elaina had raised.
Matthew looked up. “For the adoption, of course. So, I thought we should discuss—”
“Wait…” What was he saying? “Us? Elaina recommended us for the adoption?”
“Yes, of course.” Confusion flashed across Matthew’s face. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Jarrett didn’t remember standing, but suddenly he was, with an armful of Rylie weeping against his chest.
“I can’t believe I’m crying,” she mumbled. “I never used to cry when I was happy.”
He was equally baffled by this new, emotional Rylie, but he was struggling to ignore the lump in his own throat. It felt so right to hold her in his arms. And now that they didn’t have to worry about the adoption approval, there was nothing standing between them. Nothing except that other guy… but Jarrett would find a way to convince her she’d fallen for the wrong man.
