“What prompted these weekend plans? You said she stood you up last night.”

Gretchen listened to Amanda sip on something. “She got home late and…we talked a little this morning before she left for work. She didn’t exactly agree to the weekend, but I’m feeling good.” Gretchen thought back on the night spent with Jax. “Yeah, I’m feeling good.” She walked to her bedroom and grabbed the pill vial from her nightstand. “I really want to spend the weekend away, but she’ll probably say it’s too soon for me. If I can go back to work, I can go away for a weekend.”

“Just book something. Surprise her. Why wait for a long conversation to start trying?”

She knew Amanda was right. “Thanks for the advice, sis.”

“Any time. Are we having dinner later when I drop Caleb off?”

“No. I have a trip to surprise my family with.”

“Good luck. Tell me how it goes.”

“Will do.” They said their good-byes and Gretchen ended the call. She tossed her medicine up in the air and caught it. She wore a grin as she walked back to her computer. She put the pills down next to a glass of water and started typing. She searched different resorts and inn options within driving distance. Thankfully, it was off-season for all of New Jersey, and rates were low. She searched for a place that would entertain Caleb but would lend a small air of romance for Jax. If she was planning on wooing and convincing Jax that they were worth fighting for, she was going to have to pull out all the stops. She had to win Jax back from Meredith and keep her this time. Gretchen filtered her search to view only five-star establishments.

The front door opened and slammed shut, pulling Gretchen’s attention from the search. Heavy footsteps could be heard. Jax stepped into the kitchen a moment later.

“Why did you call Wyatt?”

Gretchen closed her computer and stood. “You’re home early.”

“I took the afternoon off because I couldn’t concentrate. Why did you call Wyatt?” Jax said from just inside the kitchen, like she was afraid to be near Gretchen.

“You blew off dinner and I had so many questions—”

“Questions you should ask me.”

“But you’re never here! Not with me, anyway. I’m tired of being in the dark and learning about my life one bit at a time. I’m tired of you and Amanda deciding what parts I get to know about.” She felt a familiar queasiness flash in her gut, and she took a deep breath. “I should’ve known about the baby.”

Jax’s nostrils flared. “Dr. Melendez said we shouldn’t upset you.”

“That means taking care when you tell me things, not hiding them from me. Were you planning on ever telling me?”

Jax looked away and said, “Yes.”