“I’m leaving,” I said, heading for the elevator.
I raced upstairs, grabbed my laptop and bag, my face burning with shame.
It had been a terrible day already, and now people were going to gossip about me. Dylan was making me look like a joke at the workplace where I was trying my darned best to fit in and start afresh.
Tears pricking my eyes, I took the elevator back down, feeling the lingering gazes of people follow me as I strode across the lobby and out the doors.
I’d barely reached the sidewalk when a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. I quickened my pace, but the driver stepped out and called my name.
I turned and froze. It was Clark, the driver from my date with Jonah.
“Ms. Haley,” he said, opening the back door. “In here, please.”
I debated my options, but judging by the whispers from the people on the sidewalk and stares from inside the lobby, I was eager for a quick getaway.
I got into the car. The door shut behind me, and when I turned around, to my shock, Jonah was sitting beside me. We held each other’s gaze for a long moment before Clark got into the front seat.
“Where to, Mr. Walkers?” Clark asked.
“Lexi’s home,” Jonah answered, not tearing his gaze away from me. “In Queens.”
I swallowed a large lump in my throat at those words. I really needed to get home right away, and Jonah knew. I just wanted to see Evie, hold her tight, and remind myself that even though today had been miserable, I was still lucky because I had her. We were enough.
“Lexi,” Jonah said, bending his head slightly to look at me. He took my hand in his. “I promise, that man will never trouble you again.”
I looked at our hands together. Jonah had no obligation to kind to me, but here he was, doing exactly that.
I snuck a glance at him. He held himself upright, looking as handsome as ever. His eyes, however, had lost their usual cold, detached look. They were softer, and they were looking right back at me. What was that strange new thing I saw in his eyes?
If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was worry.
For a long time, we sat together in silence, my hand in his. When we were closer to my home, Jonah finally spoke.
“About that man –” Jonah began.
I felt embarrassment spread over my face. Dylan was one part of my life that I wasn’t proud of. “That’s Dylan,” I said in a low voice. “My ex.”
“I could have him arrested for assault,” Jonah continued, as nonchalantly as though he was talking about dinner plans.
“I don’t want that,” I said instantly. I didn’t need more drama or more reasons for Dylan to remain a constant in my life. If I ignored this incident, perhaps Dylan would disappear like he always had before.
“Lexi,” Jonah sucked in a sharp breath, his gaze assessing me. “Is he Evie’s Dad?”
“Yes, he is,” I said, exhaling just as the car pulled up to my building. “Goodbye, Jonah.” I got out of the car before he could stop me and tried to shut the door behind me.
“Lexi,” he called urgently, as he unbuckled his seatbelt and moved to stop the door from closing. I glanced back at him as he took a deep breath. “Can I please meet Evie again?”
27
LEXI
Jonah’s question took me by surprise, and for a moment I was inclined to say no. Wasn’t he the one who decided we couldn’t meet again for a while? Who knew how long he intended that to last. He didn’t have the right to meet my daughter again. He didn’t have the right to ask for anything from me right now.
But other memories drowned out my gut reaction. Jonah bringing her back to me when she was lost, Jonah ensuring she got to stay on at the daycare even after my internship’s end date. Jonah asking to meet Evie, when Dylan, her father, after three and a half years, didn’t even ask the same.
I nodded, my hand falling from the car door. “Wait here. I’ll bring her out.”
I turned and ran up the stairs to my unit, quickly explaining to Sasha what was happening before bringing Evie outside.
