Chapter 26
\nThree Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 26<\/p>\n
Lawrence rushed out of the lobby, slipping through the revolving doors without sparing a glance to either side.<\/p>\n
Hannah held Jasper tightly, the word \u201cLawrence\u201d on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it before calling out.<\/p>\n
Jasper reached up with his chubby hand. \u201cDaddy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWant to go with Mommy to find Daddy?\u201d Hannah\u2019s voice was calm and steady as she shifted Jasper in her arms and changed direction.<\/p>\n
Years of dance had given her a slender, powerful form. Lean muscles defined her arms. As she held Jasper around his legs, faint blue veins ran down her forearm, ending at her wrist beside a light scar.<\/p>\n
Jasper squirmed, letting out a little pout. Mom was gripping him too tightly, but Hannah didn\u2019t notice. She just kept following the path Lawrence had taken, always a few steps behind.<\/p>\n
The trail led her straight to a coffee shop.<\/p>\n
Bright, clean glass stretched from floor to ceiling at the front. A woman sat by the window, perfectly upright but not stiff, her long hair twisted into a loose bun. She bent her head to sip her coffee, showing off her elegant neck and delicate features.<\/p>\n
The man sitting across from her looked uncomfortable. Now and then, his eyes drifted toward her.<\/p>\n
Lawrence stood outside in the sun, his face set. One hand dangled by his side, clenching and unclenching.<\/p>\n
He looked tired, almost defeated. His posture sagged more than usual.<\/p>\n
The sunlight hurt Hannah\u2019s eyes and made her feel strangely queasy. She wobbled a little.<\/p>\n
Just then, Jasper started to cry, his wails echoing in the summer heat and shattering the quiet afternoon.<\/p>\n
Lawrence turned. He blinked hard, his eyelid twitching, then managed to steady himself. His voice was tight. \u201cWhy are you two here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hannah relaxed her arms, covering the marks her grip had left on Jasper\u2019s thigh. She walked over, bouncing Jasper gently as she spoke in an even tone. \u201cWhere were you rushing off to? We followed you all the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lawrence said nothing.<\/p>\n
Hannah kept her smile. \u201cOur office is just around the corner. I brought Jasper to keep Lawrence company while he works late today. Who would have thought we\u2019d bump into you here? Bonnie, this handsome guy with you\u2014is he another blind date?\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonnie looked at Lawrence, who was holding Jasper. Her eyes flicked over the little boy, whose tear-streaked face made him look like a little raccoon as he clung to his dad\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n
Jasper really did look so much like Hannah.<\/p>\n
Bonnie\u2019s voice was cool. \u201cYes, it\u2019s a blind date. So now\u2019s not a great time for small talk. I hope you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hannah didn\u2019t take offense. She gave a quick laugh, slipped her arm through Lawrence\u2019s, and went straight to order vanilla ice cream at the counter.<\/p>\n
She scooped up a little and fed it to Jasper.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo kiss for Mommy?\u201d she teased, touching his nose. \u201cGrandma would never let you have this at home, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-694","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}