Marigold and Daisies (H.S.)

Thirteen

Marigold's POV

1 month later

Everything was good. Great, actually. The shop is thriving, business has been steadily rising but not at an overwhelming pace. Daisy is so happy at her daycare, she talks on and on about all her friends at school and begs me to go on play dates. Even things with Harry have been better going strong.

I only had to put up with the PR stunt for a few more months and then it'll all be over. It hasn't been the easiest thing to live with. Since Harry is "seeing" Cara, he can't be seen with me at all. No if's, ands or buts. That means we have to sneak around to each other's houses and drive on side roads that are less popular to avoid the chances of being seen together. It was hard not being able to go out and about, we were confined to our private spaces. The only way we're getting through it is because we both know it's what's best for us.

It's given me some time to consider going public with Harry as well. There's nothing more that I want than to be able to be out in public with Harry, to be able to hold his hand and kiss him without a care in the world, not worrying about who might see us. Yet the thought of being thrown out there for the world to judge still left me feeling uneasy.

But even with all that, I felt like I was at a very good place in my life. But I should've known that good things never last long for me.

I'm at Target getting groceries on the way home from work. It was supposed to be a super fast target run, in and out. The universe has something against me for sure.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed. Jacob stood in front of me, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other clinging onto a basket full of groceries.

"Getting groceries?" He raised an eyebrow at me causing me to roll my eyes. No shit.

"Cut the crap, Jacob. Why are you still here in LA??" I thought surely by now he'd be back in Charleston, it's been over a month since I saw him. So why is he still here?

"I couldn't just leave. I told you I want to be a part of our daughter's life and I meant it, Marigold." He sighed deeply, his face contorted, eyes avoiding mine and a frown on his face. It almost looked sincere. Like he was actually hurting that he didn't know Daisy.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling my hands start to shake as I gripped onto my basket tightly.

"So I've been here.. staying in a grungy motel hoping I would bump into you sooner or later." He shrugged. I'm surprised he didn't just waltz into the shop again. "You told me not to go back to the shop," can he read my mind?

"And I respect you too much to go against your wishes." His eyes met mine again, an unsure half smile on his face. What? Since when did he respect me in any type of way? Am I being Punk'd?

"I know you don't have any reason to forgive me or trust me. And you were right when you said I don't deserve to be in our kids' life. I don't. Just give me a chance to prove myself.. please?" He begged, he was begging. I've never seen him like this.. so desperate.

I shifted from foot to foot awkwardly as I tried to think of an answer. He's right, I can't trust him. I don't know if I will ever be able to trust him.

"Jacob, it's going to take more than just words to prove yourself." I frowned. If there's one thing to know about Jacob, it's that he's good with his words. He knows exactly what to say to get what he wants. It's like he actually cared.

"Then let me! Let me prove it with my actions. Please, Marigold. Please."

I know what I should say. I should say no. I should say that nothing he can do will ever make up for the crap he put me through. That's what I should say. I know that's what I should say.