Second Look (A New Beginning Book 3) by Connie Stephany Read Free Book Online

Adam.”
    Adam’s head jerked back up. Shit! Abby!
    “What the hell am I supposed to do now?”
    He looked at Jennifer, and then Amber and then back at her. He didn’t have the slightest damn idea.
    *****
    Adam’s shoulders slumped thinking about that day. After Jennifer showed up and told him Amber was his daughter, he panicked and went straight to Abby’s. He told her he couldn’t marry her that day and gave no explanation.
    It was definitely not one of his finer moments and Abby deserved so much better. They all deserved better, including him. He was just so confused at the time and didn’t know what the hell to do.
    How he handled everything the day of what should have been their wedding and then after that day was something he was deeply ashamed of, and he never really truly gave Abby the apology she deserved.
    He decided to stop in at her bakery, Dessert First, where they first met. Seemed like a fitting way to get the closure he seemed to need.
    When he walked in the front door, Abby was standing behind the counter helping a customer. He took the opportunity to stare at the woman he was supposed to marry.
    Abby was classically beautiful. She had long, wavy blonde hair, a cute round face and the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. She was genuinely one of the kindest people he had ever known and deserved way better than what he gave her.
    Adam could tell the second she saw him. Watching her lips curve downward and her pretty blue eyes narrow made him want to turn around and walk back out. Instead, he straightened his shoulders and put a smile on his face.
    He walked up to the counter and watched Abby help the older gentleman. She was all smiles as she waved goodbye to her customer, but when she glanced back at Adam her smile was gone.
    Finally, he sucked in a breath. It was now or never.
    “Hi, Abby.”
    His greeting was initially met with silence, just a raising of one eyebrow as she studied him.
    After what seemed like eternity, she finally spoke. “Adam.”
    “How are you?”
    Abby crossed her arms. “Good. You?
    “I’m…okay.”
    “What brings you in?”
    He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. Her reaction was frostier than he’d hoped. He didn’t exactly blame her, but it sure made this a lot harder.
    “I wanted to apologize for, well, everything. I handled things so poorly and I want you to know how truly sorry I am.”
    Adam could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she tried to process what he had just said.
    “Now that it’s years later, I can finally say I’m genuinely happy for you and Max, and things worked out in spite of me being a total jerk.”
    Suspicion crossed Abby’s features. “What made you apologize after all these years?”
    “We found out my dad is dying. It’s sort of been a wake-up call for me to make a few changes in my life.”
    Abby gasped and her eyes immediately filled with tears. She had always gotten along really well with his parents. “I’m so sorry. What is it? How long does he have?”
    “Pancreatic cancer. Not long. It shocking how fast it’s happening.”
    His heart ached just thinking of his dad and how quickly the cancer was taking its toll. It was the hardest thing he’d ever been through.
    “I don’t know what to say. He’s just so young. I’m so sorry.” She paused and then asked, “How are your mom and sister holding up?”
    Adam shrugged. “As good as can be expected.”
    Abby nodded, the sympathy on her face made him want to break down, but he had to get through this conversation and move on with his life.
    He forced a smile on his face and changed the subject. “So how are you, really? How’s Max?”
    “We’re doing well. Expecting our second child in a few months.”
    Adam’s eyes looked toward her belly, which he now noticed looked rounded, and then looked back up to her eyes. “Your second?”
    Abby nodded. “Callie is already over two years old.”
    “Congratulations. I’m really happy for you both.”
    Abby