Because whether I wanted to admit it or not, I’d fallen for him months ago. I couldn’t not bring him, because when he was near, I felt safe. When he was near, the world was manageable. I didn’t have to worry about him. I could make sure he was taken care of… because most of the time he didn’t take care of himself.
I lifted Elias to my shoulder and patted his back, stood, and walked around the room. He dropped his head on my shoulder and gummed his fist, blowing bubbles and gurgling. It was almost as if he were trying to soothe me and not the other way around.
Maybe we were soothing each other. The thought lifted my spirits all of two seconds.
After walking the equivalent of a trip around the earth, I laid on the floor with Elias as he played on his activity mat until the evening sky had turned purple and gold.
Elias kicked his feet against one of the dangling stuff animals with the bell on it and giggled. He’d be getting hungry soon and I needed to figure out a way to leave the room without running into Jason.
A knock came from the door.
“I don’t want to talk to you,” I called out from the floor.
“What did I do to you?” Thomas’s muffled voice answered.
I gave Elias a crinkle toy to keep him occupied, then got up and cracked the door open just a fraction. “What?”
He held up his hands. “No need to bite my head off.”
A deep breath. “Thomas… what do you want?”
He held up a bottle. “You’ve been in here a few hours and it’s close to dinnertime for him.”
My lips tipped up. Lifesaver. “Thanks. I’m surprised you remembered.”
His eyes found mine. “I didn’t. Jason didn’t think you’d want to see him right now, so he made it.” A tinge of humor lit in his eyes. “He just thought if he tried to give it you, you might chuck it at him.”
Well, he wasn’t wrong there. The sweet, wonderful… jerk. “You tell him…” I grumbled a few choice words as I took the bottle from Thomas. “This doesn’t make things right.” I snapped the last few words.
Thomas’s gaze flicked to the side, almost like he was side-eyeing someone, and back to me. He leaned way in and whispered, “He cares about you. More than he’s willing to admit.”
Someone who cared about me wouldn’t be keeping secrets. “Right.”
“Hasn’t he earned at least a little of your trust? A little grace?” He threw the questions like grenades and casually walked away.
With a grumble, I shut the door and locked it again. I returned to Elias and pulled him close as I laid next to him, feeding him.
Why did Thomas have to say that?
Now I was angry with myself. Trust and grace? Jason had gone above and beyond, and the second he did something I didn’t like, I threw all the wonderful things out the window.
He’d told me that night he wouldn’t keep it from me forever. He just needed time. That as soon as he had solid information, he’d tell me. He just didn’t want to get my hopes up and see me hurt.
What did I do? Had a complete meltdown.
A tear leaked from my eye, and I swiped it away. I’d never been so disappointed in myself. And embarrassed.
How was I ever going to earn his trust and respect back? He’d deserved better from me, and I’d failed miserably.
Chapter Twenty-One
JASON
Just as Istepped off the treadmill, Thomas entered the small gym that the home offered. That was one of the reasons I’d chosen it, and it was the first time I’d taken advantage of it.
The first time I’d been so angry it was either run the frustration off or beat someone. With a court case coming up, the last thing I needed was damaged knuckles.
Part of me, deep down, knew Cora knew Georgiou Construction was just what the public saw. The people who’d moved in and out of my office didn’t exactly hide who they were or what they did, despite my best efforts to keep Cora out of it.
