It was hard explaining to my friends—none of whom had kids—why I couldn’t get time away from Evie on the weekends. Even if I could, I usually didn’t want to leave her behind. With my hectic work schedule, weekends were my chance to spend quality time with her.
“Maybe next time.”
The look on Sasha’s face said she doubted it. “We miss you hanging out with us,” she said at last. “Why don’t you ask Dylan to pitch in? Surely, he ought to help take care of Evie too.”
I shook my head. “Dylan’s been absent for years. I’ve learned not to count on him.”
She shook her head darkly but thankfully didn’t press me for more.
After breakfast, I ran upstairs to grab my bag and noticed a text on my phone. The sender made my stomach turn.
DYLAN
Hey, Lexi.
Of course. Nohow are you. Nohow’s Evie. Just this vague opener. I ignored it, but a few minutes later, another message came through.
DYLAN
I need to talk to you.
I rolled my eyes. If it was important, he’d say so instead of wasting my time. I ignored both messages.
The morning routine helped me focus as I got Evie and myself ready and headed to the train station.
The platform was busy, as usual, with commuters huddled in their coats, sipping coffee and glancing impatiently at their watches. Getting onto the train, I found a spot for the two of us and checked my phone again, half expecting another message from Dylan, but there were no more.
In half an hour, we exited the train and walked the short distance to my office building, the cool air a stark contrast to the warmth of the morning sun.
I dropped Evie off at her preschool and made my way to my office floor, setting my bag down and logging in to my computer.
Every time I stepped into this building, Jonah was the first person I thought about.
I inhaled and took a deep breath.Focus, I reminded myself. Work was better than thinking about a man whose life was so different from mine.
I saw that Stacey and Brian had already gotten coffee from the café down the road, and I knew I was missing out on bonding with them. Something Jonah had suggested I do.
I sighed, realizing I was losing the battle to not think about him.
Before I could brood on that, I received another unwelcome text from Dylan.
DYLAN
See you at noon.
This time I texted back, asking him what he wanted.
Dylan never responded. I followed up with another text, asking if he wanted to see Evie later in the evening.
Hours went by without any response.
So much for him wanting to be involved.
Noon came and went, but Dylan never showed up.
I wasn’t surprised.
I had fallen behind on my tasks, and texted Sasha asking if she could pick up Evie at 4pm, since I planned to work late. Stacey seemed determined to dislike me, and I felt equally determined to prove my competence, even if working late nights and weekends was the only way.
