Chapter 26 Lunch with a Shadow
After seeing a few patients in a row, Becky came out and saw that Jose was still there.
He was tall, with long legs.
In just a few strides, he walked up to Becky, his eyes full of concern.
“Why did it take so long? Are you tired?”
Becky had to look up to meet his eyes.
“I’m fine. You should go.”
Jose pretended not to hear her. “It’s lunchtime. Let me take you out to eat.”
He started to reach for her but pulled his hand back when he saw how round her belly was.
Becky didn’t move.
“Jose, don’t you have to work?”
“I own a bar. I can go in later.”
Becky remembered the book saying this guy was a rich kid. His father was a diplomat, his mom ran a
company.
His family had mapped out his future-either follow in his father’s footsteps and become a diplomat, or take over his mother’s business.
Instead, he opened a bar after graduation.
And since the author never finished the story, she didn’t know how Jose’s storyline ended.
Or anyone’s, really.
Becky didn’t go with him for a fancy meal. They stopped at a cheap local diner and ordered a few small dishes and two bowls of rice.
Jose had never been in a place like this before. With his tall frame crammed into the narrow seat, he looked uncomfortable.
Becky handed him a fork. “Eat, and go home.”
Jose took the fork, trying to be polite. “You’re pregnant. You shouldn’t eat at a place like this. It’s not sanitary.”
Becky said, “The food’s pretty good. Sanitation… let’s not worry about it.”
Then she started eating heartily.
She wasn’t picky at all. She had a great appetite and ate everything.
1/4
Chapter zo Lunch with a shadow
Lately she’d been eating out for lunch. She cooked as little as possible.
Anytime she got near the stove, the heat would make the little one in her belly start kicking.
Breakfast was usually boiled eggs, a fried egg, some fruit, and milk.
Lunch she solved outside.
Dinner was just a simple bowl of noodles.
Jose hadn’t been hungry, but seeing Becky enjoy her food, he picked up a piece of stir-fried beef and put it in his mouth.
It was overcooked and didn’t taste like much.
He only ate a few bites before setting the fork down and watching her eat.
Becky ignored him and just kept eating.
Jose felt awful watching her.
The girl he loved-after just a few months-was now like this.
“What does your husband do?”
Becky finished eating and wiped her mouth with a napkin.
“Mind your own business.”
“I care about you. I don’t want you getting mixed up with the wrong guy.”
“If you didn’t, I never will.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.”
Jose thought for a while and realized she was insulting him.
Becky stood up with some effort.
Jose reached out to help her.
Seeing her big belly, he still wasn’t used to it.
Becky brushed his hand away. “I’ve got it.”
She walked out of the diner first. Jose followed closely behind.
Once outside, Becky said, “I’m going home to take a nap. Do whatever you want.”
She had worked out a schedule with Mr. John: three hours of appointments in the morning, nap at home, and two more hours in the afternoon.
2/4
Jose said, “I’ll walk you home.”
“No need.”
“I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone like this.”
Becky felt exhausted.
Why were they all so difficult?
She pulled out the same excuse she’d used on Xavier.
“My husband’s super possessive. If he sees a strange man walking me home, he’ll beat you up. Just go home, find your mom, and chill.”
She turned and walked away. After a while, she looked back and saw Jose wasn’t following her. That made her feel better.
Jose had watched her walk into an apartment complex and disappear into a building.
He didn’t follow her for fear she’d notice.
Now that he had a rough idea of her address and knew where she worked, it wouldn’t be hard to find her again.
He wanted to see just who this so-called husband of hers really was.
He called his friend Jacob.
“Get me a more low-key car.”
“What for?”
“I’m following someone.”
Jacob was surprised, then chuckled. “Got it. I’ll get it done.”
Jose had finally moved on, so of course Jacob was going to help him all the way.
For the next few days, Jose showed up at the clinic every morning, pestering Becky until she ate lunch with him before leaving.
What Becky didn’t know was that he never actually left.
He took his sports car home and swapped it for a cheap little white car-one of those ten-thousand-dollar models you saw everywhere. Totally unnoticeable.
He parked it right outside Becky’s building.
Day after day, he saw only Becky and Sharon.
He recognized Sharon-Becky’s best friend.
3/4
No men ever came around.
That night, at the bar, Jacob came over with a drink and sat down next to Jose.
“Jose, what’s with you? You look like you’ve lost your soul.”
Jose thought for a second. “Say your wife was pregnant-really pregnant, like big belly-”
Jacob cut him off. “Jose, I don’t have a wife.”
“Just hypothetically.”
“Alright, go on.”
