Lydia gaped at him in astonishment. “I—that can’t be right. He doesn’t—”

   Rather than argue or attempt to reinforce his theory, Mark got to his feet and looked down at her one last time, saying simply, “He does.” And with that, he walked off toward the elevators and left Lydia reeling. Having a discussion about her love life with Mark DeSanto was one of the strangest moments of her life. Why had he told her all of that? She’d professed her love for Jake last night, and he’d acted as if he wanted to bolt. That wasn’t the reaction of a man in love. Whatever Jake’s reasons for changing his routine at work, they couldn’t have much to do with her.

   Mark might know business, but she was certain he wasn’t privy to the personal feelings of his employees. No, unfortunately Lydia knew much more about Jake’s private life than Mark did these days—and she would soon need to decide if she was willing to settle for a life with affection, but no love.

* * *

   Jacob’s parents made it to the hospital before Chris. They had barely been speaking to him over his Vegas wedding, but when they’d found out that their granddaughter was in the hospital, all of that had been pushed to the side. His mother buzzed into the room, and as usual, she looked impossibly young for her age. “How’s my baby?” she asked as she walked straight to Casey and smothered her with noisy kisses.

   “I’m doing pretty good, Mom.” Jacob smirked.

   His father walked in a few steps behind and rolled his eyes. “Son, none of us exist when the bug over there is in the room.”

   Jacob laughed, acknowledging the truth of his father’s words. As the one and only grandchild, Casey held center court in his parents’ attention anytime she was around. Getting to his feet, he did the manly hug with his father and then crossed to his mother. She waggled a finger in his face saying, “I’m still mad at you.” He heard his father chuckling behind him as she continued to scold him. “My firstborn gets married and we’re not invited? I have a daughter-in-law I’ve never even met.” Looking suddenly skeptical, she asked, “Are you sure you actually have a wife? This isn’t some acting-out phase, is it?” Putting a hand on the side of his face, she studied him. “Have you been feeling okay? I’ve never heard you mention dating anyone, much less a woman named Lydia.”

   As if the name finally penetrated the cartoon-induced fog she was in, Casey squealed, “Lydie! She my friend, Grandma. She cuts the crust off my sandwich and we pets the fishes together. Mama called her a ramp, but I still ain’t seen no skates yet,” Casey added in the innocent way that only a child can.

   His mother looked from Casey to him before muttering under her breath. “Well, I guess she does exist since my granddaughter seems to know her.” Clasping her hands together and giving him a look that never failed to freeze him to his spot, she said, “Your father and I are staying overnight with you. I’ll make dinner and we’ll get to know your new wife. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?”

   “Um, no, Mom,” he answered meekly. The timing wasn’t great, even though he didn’t want to tell his parents that. He needed to be alone with Lydia to discuss everything that had occurred the previous evening. It didn’t look as if that was going to happen now. He’d call her later to warn her so that she didn’t feel as if she was walking into an ambush. One thing was certain, though, if she stayed with him after the ass he’d made of himself in the last twenty-four hours, coupled with a surprise visit from the in-laws, then he’d damn sure know she loved him just as much as he loved her.

Chapter Fourteen

   Frankly, Lydia was pissed off. Despite leaving him a couple of voice mails and a text message, she’d heard nothing from Jake all day. She’d been forced to resort to calling the hospital, only to find out that Casey had been discharged earlier. That left her with the afternoon to imagine him at Chris’s house playing happy family with her. No doubt, the other woman was milking it for all it was worth. She’d been practically wrapped around him at the hospital last night. Today, she was probably sitting on his lap and making everything all about her as usual. She could almost hear it now. “Oh, Jake, this has been so hard on me. I barely slept last night. My bed was so lonely and I was terrified. I just don’t know how I can continue to live alone after my scare.” And the scenarios played on and on in her head. Her feelings had nothing to do with Casey and everything to do with her manipulative mother. Jake might not be able to see it, but Lydia certainly did.

   She stewed over it all the way home. What an inconsiderate jerk, she thought as she navigated the busy rush-hour traffic. It was better that she find out what kind of man he was now. She could deal with many things, but treating her as if she didn’t matter at all to him was just too much for her. And to think, she’d let herself indulge in the fantasy that he loved her as Mark had said. What a joke that was. Well, she’d had it. She’d be waiting when he got home and she planned to give him a piece of her mind. Then pack her clothes and go to her apartment. She’d talk to a lawyer tomorrow about a divorce and move on with her life.

   When she reached their street and saw Jake’s truck in the driveway, her anger came to a boil. She should be happy that he wasn’t at Chris’s house, but all she could think was he had no reason why he couldn’t have taken her last call. She couldn’t remember ever being this angry before, especially at a man. Brett had never done anything to draw her ire. He called when he said he would and usually checked in during the day to see how she was doing. He wouldn’t have ignored her, brushed aside her words of love, nor made her feel as if she’d overstepped her bounds by coming to the hospital.

   Lydia parked, then got out of the car and stalked toward the kitchen door. She opened it and got a thrill when it slammed behind her. And there he was, sitting at the bar looking as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Wait—was he seriously drinking a margarita? Lydia didn’t know why, but somehow that was the equivalent of pouring gasoline on a fire. “Hey, sweetheart, how was your day?” He smiled brightly at her.