Free Make A Wish (Dandelion #1) by Jenna Lynn Hodge

I glanced around the room, noticing my former co-workers looking rather nosy and listening a little too intently to the barely started conversation between us. It was more private outside and as far as I was concerned, they could keep their nose out of my business.
    “Sure.”
    We both stood and walked out the front door, stepping into the chilly Los Angeles winter breeze. After we’d seated ourselves at a small black table with a red and white striped umbrella draping above us, I took a deep breath and began, my heart feeling as if it was racing at the speed of lightning.
    “I’m sorry that I’ve flaked out on you the past month and a half. I don’t want to make excuses for my behavior because I know that it wasn’t right but I feel like you deserve an explanation.”
    I looked into his eyes, expecting to see judgment and anger, possibly irritation too, but I didn’t, making it a tad easier to continue the mini-speech I’d prepared on my drive over.
    “I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life. I don’t tell anyone about it because I know there are others who go through much more difficult times than I do, and frankly I don’t want to see all the looks of pity from them. These past weeks, I was going through a depression fall, a pretty bad one at that. What really got me out of it was when I learned I’m pregnant. It was because I found out that I knew I needed to come here and talk to you. Please don’t think I’m trying to guilt you into letting me keep my job; that isn’t the case whatsoever. I just felt like you of all people deserved the truth. If you decide you don’t want me here, I will understand completely.”
    I closed my mouth abruptly before I could babble on even further with details that he really didn’t need to know. The silence unfortunately dragged on much longer than I would’ve liked.
    Jack cleared his throat and gathered his thoughts before speaking. “Jules. As far as I’m concerned, the job was always yours. Everyone goes through hard times, and though I wasn’t thrilled by the shortage of staff, I do understand.”
    “Why are being so nice to me right now? I don’t deserve all your kindness.”
    “Jules, not only do you deserve it but I can tell that right now, you desperately need it. It’s not my place to judge you for the things you’ve done. Hell knows my past is riddled with mistakes.” He smiled so big, it drew a laugh from me for the first time in what felt like ages. “With that being said, I should probably get back to work but I’ll see you Friday for the morning shift.”
    As he stood to go, he swiftly turned around and pulled me into a hug, leaning closely to my ear. “Congratulations on the little munchkin! That’s big news.”
    Just as Jack turned to go inside, I remembered another important reason for coming here.
    “Wait, Jack. I have one more thing to ask you.”
    He turned to face me. The expression on my face must have been more obvious than I’d thought because somehow I’d managed to give him a look that stopped him in his tracks. “Yes?”
    “I was wondering if you knew how I could get in contact with B-Beau.” I was surprised at how hard it was for his name to pass through my lips, but it’d managed to come out more in a stammer than anything else. I urged the newfound tears to stay away but despite all my attempts, it was futile. They appeared anyways.
    “Damn.” Jack shook his head as I looked to the ground, avoiding his questioning gaze. “It’s him isn’t it? He’s the father.” The words were just above a whisper, just loud enough for my ears to catch it. It wasn’t how I wanted him to find out and I definitely hadn’t expected him to guess so easily.
    “Please… Please don’t tell him. I need to tell Beau myself. It wouldn’t be right for someone else to break this kind of news to him.”
    I pleaded with Jack to understand though in my heart I felt really shitty for asking him to keep something this big