Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(61)

“What if I leave the country and keep you from your child?”

I throw up my hands. “At this point, I don’t care anymore. I’m a sperm donor. You’re not going to use a kid as leverage to trap me. You want to keep a piece of me, there you go. It’s all you’re ever going to get.”

“So you’ll have no problem signing over parental rights?”

It hurts. I shouldn’t do this. My parents will flip the f*ck out when they hear it, but I can’t play this charade anymore. I’m out of patience. I want it over. “Yeah. I’ll sign the damn papers, after you have a paternity test done when the baby is born.”

“You know when I got pregnant.”

“You could have screwed ten people that week. How the hell would I know?”

“I hope you’re happy with this. If I leave, I’m never coming back.”

“Thank the f*cking lord! Good riddance!” I wave with a sarcastic grin, only to realize she’s probably dead serious.





Chapter 29


Tamsyn


I’ve been staring at the little wrapped box for over an hour. If I open it everything I’ve worked to get over will be ruined. Seeing Josh tonight only tells me that I’m not over him. He’s never looked more handsome, and it’s obvious it was for my benefit, but I don’t know why. We’ve gone weeks without contact, and now he shows up with a Christmas present. I’ve done everything in my power to keep from running into him.

Was it necessary for him to mention my hair? I stopped worrying about what people thought of me. Frankly, I haven’t cared enough to want to look good. I dyed my hair back to it’s original color, and stopped wearing makeup. Why bother when all I do is cry it off? I’ve felt ugly for weeks, and he shows up and tells me I’m beautiful. It’s not fair.

We’re about to close up for the holiday. Most of the sales associates have gone home to be with their families. My father left to take care of some last minute shopping. Lights are being turned off in the offices beside mine, and I’m still staring at this little box.



It’s been hard walking away from that family, especially this time of year. As difficult as it was to put on a brave face at Thanksgiving, I still had a wonderful time. Josh’s mother begged me to reconsider. She tried to convince me that he’d never stray again. She blamed herself for the night he slept with Livvy, saying they’d been drinking and left him alone in a bad condition. It still happened. And it hurts. It still to this day feels exactly the same way it did when I first learned the truth.

I’ve tried to keep busy, going to parties before everyone left for holiday break. I even gave a couple guys my number, okay, I gave them an old number because I can’t even imagine dating yet.

Telling Josh I was seeing someone happened so fast. I lied right to his face, because I knew if I gave him the opportunity, he’d have me right back in his arms again.

An older salesmen sticks his head in my door. “I’m about to leave. What are you still doing here, Tamsyn? Your dad gave us all the green light.”

“I’m out of here, soon, Bobby. Have a Merry Christmas. Make sure you give those kiddos a hug for me.”

“Sure will. Right back at ya, kid.”

And then I’m alone.

It’s quiet, the only sounds coming from the fluorescent overhead lights. I’m on the internet, going all the way back to when I starting ignoring his private messages. I coast through dozens of them, each saying how much he needs me in his life. I read them until I’m emotionally drained, and then continue looking through pictures that were posted when we were together. In only a few months we made so many memories. When I close my eyes I can still smell him, I can see those dimples showing whenever he’s being ornery. I can feel his strong arms holding me tight after we’ve made love for hours.

I take the little box in my hand and shake it. I can hear something moving, but am betting it’s the note he told me I have to read first. I stop fighting the urge and tear the paper away until I reach the box, with a folded note attached to the top. I open it up and recognize his handwriting. My stomach knots up as I begin to read it.




Tamsyn,

I loved you yesterday. I loved you today, and I still will tomorrow. Even though we’re apart, I wanted you to have something; a Christmas gift that will last for years to come. No matter where you are, or who you end up with, remember, I was the first to give you this. Look at it each year and be reminded of what we had. Never forget that it was your love that made me the man I am today. You were never the consolation. You are my everything.



Forever yours,

Joshua Healy

P.S. Don’t you dare return this gift. It’s for you and only you and I threw away the receipt, so there.




I can hardly see the joke at the end because I’m a blubbering mess. I read it a second and third time before preparing to open the box. Knowing Josh it’s a charm with two hearts and he kept one for himself. He’s sweet and corny like that.

I’m rendered speechless when I open the box and see what’s sitting inside of it. The most spectacular piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen, surrounded in a platinum setting. It’s stunning and elegant, and full of chocolate and white diamonds, five in total. The center stone has to be over a carat. I close the box and then open it again, just in case I’m dreaming this. Sure enough, it’s the same ring. I’m in shock. Why would he do this? Why would he want me to keep something so expensive and sentimental? He’s lost his mind. I can’t accept this.