Melinda’s POV
I didn’t cry.
Not when I was pushed out of my own company.
Not when the headline called me an unfit mother.
Not when I had to look at Elijah and tell him no, baby, Mommy’s not going to the office today because Mommy is taking a break.
I didn’t cry.
Until I heard the doorbell ring.
And opened it.
And saw him standing there.
James.
In a black sweater, jeans, no coat. Nothing in his hands. No lawyers behind him. No phone in his palm like he needed to be anywhere else.
Just him.
Breathing like he’d run halfway across the world to make it here.
I said nothing.
Neither did he.
He stepped forward, slow, and lifted a paper bag from his jacket. I hadn’t even seen it at first.
Inside: four muffins.
Two chocolate chip.
One plain.
And a blueberry.
He held it out like
