I probably wouldn’t be so bad off if I hadn’t stayed up so late with Molly, filling her in on the situation with Dayton. Plus, I was looking at possible places to rent after Matthew gets his crap together and sells our condo or buys me out—something he claims he’s working on. Something I don’t believe he’s putting much effort into.

I think he believes that if he just waits me out, we’ll get back together, and then I’ll eventually move back in.

I can’t blame him for thinking that way since I took him back each time we broke up in the past, but it’s not happening this time. It doesn’t matter how many times he shows up at my place without calling, how many times he asks me to dinner, or texts, or calls. We are done. And not just because I’m pregnant with another man’s child.

After taking a sip of water, I push open the door and get out, adjusting my pleated athletic skirt, which is a pretty lavender, and zipping up the cropped hoodie I wore over my tank top. It’s not hot right now, but in a couple of hours, the sun will be overhead, and I’ll be thankful for the piece of clothing I can remove.

Stepping into the cool interior of the clubhouse a minute later, I scan the space for my dad. It’s difficult to find him amongst the men in the room. All of them dressed the same, in khakis and polos, all of them holding a beer regardless of the fact that it’s just after eight in the morning.

Finally spotting him, I start making my way in his direction, but my steps slow when I recognize Dayton next to him, standing a few inches taller than my father and the district attorney with whom he’s speaking. Even in his polo that fits the theme in the room, the tattoos that cover his arms make him stick out like a sore—albeit sexy—thumb.

“Oh, Jacob, you owe me so huge,” I mutter under my breath as I make my way through the crowd. I don’t have any issue being around Dayton, especially after our conversation last night, but knowing that I’m keeping such a huge secret from my dad is going to make this uncomfortable for me.

My dad is the first to see me, and rather than smile like he normally would, his brows drag together as he steps away from Dayton and Billy, who both have their backs to me.

“Are you okay?” he asks, and Dayton turns my way. It’s difficult to avoid looking at him when I can physically feel his gaze on me.

“Yeah, just a little nauseous,” I tell him without thinking, then add quickly, “I chugged a protein shake on the way here.”