Unable to resist, Kristen’s eyes zoomed over the tables to Logan.
Jake trailed her line of vision, taken aback when he spotted Logan lingering in the doorway to the restaurant. He snapped around to confront her.
“What the fuck is going on here Kristen. Who's this asshole?”
Kristen jumped up, fighting the impulse to run and hide.
“It's his part…” Her jaw dropped as Logan headed over. At a loss for what to do next, she stood gaping at Jake’s heaving chest.
“Hey Nick, can't you see she doesn't want any company. Right Krissy?” A silly smile spread across his flushed face, his slurred words and the stench of alcohol confirming her fear: they were already intoxicated. Holding her breath, she braced herself for an eruption.
Jake surged to his feet, his nostrils flaring. Aware that he was about to burst, she reached out in desperation. “Jake, please, it’s okay.”
His eyes darted from her to Alex, before returning all of his energy to Logan and Nick. Unable to hide his contempt, he glared stone-faced at both men.
“Everyone, please chill out! I was just being friendly. Kristen and I go way back.” Nick broke away from Logan, holding up his hands in a surrendering gesture and teetering closer. Too drunk to keep his balance, he stumbled forward, colliding into her.
Kristen let out a cry, shoving Nick into a waiter maneuvering a tray loaded with food along the narrow aisle. The tray sailed across the patio, crashing to the floor with Nick landing on his ass next to it. The patio exploded into a chaotic mess as startled patrons sprang out of the way.
Snapping out of momentary amazement, Jake rushed to Kristen, pulling her next to him. Logan scurried out of the way, slumping next to the door while Nick struggled to his feet. Without looking back, he brushed himself off, raked his fingers through his hair and wobbled away. In an instant the café manager sprang into action, barking out orders to the staff to clean up the mess.
More disgusted than amused by the spectacle, Jake ventured back to his seat. While he downed the rest of his beer, his eyes continued challenging Logan. Kristen knelt next to Alex, too busy observing the manager charging toward Nick to notice Jake’s behavior. Nick’s face heated to a deep shade of red. When he snapped around pointing at her, the manager followed his finger. Jake gave Logan a vicious snarl, returning to Kristen’s side.
“Sorry about the commotion.” Logan attempted to charm the manager with a drunken grin. After shoving a wad of money into his hand and locking his fingers around it, his eyes narrowed. “It’s just a misunderstanding, we’re cool now.”
Pacified, the manager nodded and disappeared into the restaurant.
Logan gave them a triumphant shrug, the smirk on his face growing as he leaned into Kristen. “By the way Krissy, I got your little gift today. I'd thank you if it wasn't so fucked up, especially considering what I did for you.”
Stunned, she stared wide-eyed at him.
Jake gripped the chair, ready to pounce. Logan disregarded the escalating tension. Filled with renewed confidence, his fingers lightly brushed her arm.
Surpassing his breaking point, Jake amped up for trouble. Without a sound, he shoved Kristen aside, forcing himself next to Logan.
He leaned in, his face right next to Logan’s. “You better get the fuck outta my sight while you still can, unless you want me to break your neck this time.”
Logan took a long cautious step in reverse. A hint of pain showed in his eyes; he shrugged it off with a grin.
“No problem. Like I said, it's all a misunderstanding. Looks like she's all yours.” When he reached the door to the restaurant, he came to an abrupt halt, glancing over his shoulder. “By the way, in case you're interested, she's out of the coma.”
Gasping, Kristen called after him. “Logan wait!”
When he turned around to meet her gaze, Jake clutched her arm, preventing her from advancing. Her heart pounded furiously, fogging her brain. There was no time for pleading, but despite how much she wanted to break away, Jake’s strength was too much for her. And she was unwilling to put up a fight.
Logan's face darkened. Regardless of how miserable it made him admitting she belonged to Jake for the time being, it couldn't be denied. After giving her a sorrowful look, he opened the door to the restaurant.
Jake couldn't conceal his anguish or allow himself to back down. When he took a deep breath, he felt every muscle in Kristen’s body stiffen against his.
“Let him go.” Despite the sternness in his voice, his eyes were tender and pleading.
Kristen remained paralyzed. The baby's anxious gurgling broke the uncomfortable silence.
“Forget him, your son needs you. Why don't you take care of him?” Jake’s voice remained low and gentle, but it wasn't a request and she knew it. It felt like the air had been sucked out of her body, leaving her limp. Accepting her defeat, she walked trancelike to Alex.
Jake’s eyes stayed glued on her while she crouched next to the stroller to console Alex. Logan's words played in his subconscious, slowly becoming more distinct until they blocked her out.
They waited for the check. He reached for her, holding her face in his hands. He wanted to ask her about Nick and why she was so affected by his presence, but decided that could wait.
“What was that gift he was talking about?” he spoke into her ear without blinking.
After taking a deep breath, she gradually raised her eyes to his face. “The divorce.”
Jake sighed, the sound coming out a lot louder than he had intended. When he cradled her head to his chest, she closed her eyes fighting the suffocating sobs.
It finally sunk in: in a few months she would be free of Logan forever.
I should be celebrating—so why am I so numb? Shivering uncontrollably, she peeked at the entrance to the restaurant hoping to see him one more time. It was too late.
* * *
The night stretched out endless and gloomy before them. They lay next to each other in bed, but an impenetrable icy barrier separated them. It wasn't hard for Jake to see she was suffering. It was very hard to accept.
“Kristen, why are you getting the divorce?” He turned on his side, needing an immediate answer, yet dreading it.
She remained on her back staring at the ceiling. The room was quiet, except for his raspy breaths.
“I want it. I want to be with you, Jake.”
He took his time.
“I wish I could believe that but after I saw the way you looked at him—tell me the truth. Why?” He sat up, pulling her with him.
She forced herself to look in his eyes. “It is the truth. I don't love him anymore.”
“Really? Are you sure you're not doing it because it's what I want? Even a little?” His heart ached, but he was determined to get the truth out of her.
“Yes, I mean, I am doing it for you also, but it’s not the only reason.” An invisible force pulled her eyes from his.
“Look at me. Please.” When she obeyed, he held onto her face. “So how much is solely because I want it? I know you're afraid I'll leave you for good if you don't do it.”
With the mental and emotional exhaustion crippling, there was no strength left to fight him. She rolled her eyes, gaining the courage to gaze into his. “Forty percent.”