“Yeah, because it’s usually evening. It’s the middle of the afternoon.”
Tate blows out a breath as I remain silent, refusing to negotiate.
“Fine, okay. Thanks,” she says.
“Good.” I nod. “He’s bringing the car around now.”
“Sullivan?”
The voice makes me stiffen, and I turn slowly toward the woman approaching us, wondering if I’m imagining it.
“Hi…” Her eyes rake over me, stalling on Molly in my arms. “I was hoping I’d find you.”
Her blonde hair is longer than when I last saw her, flowing over the shoulders of the fitted white dress she’s wearing. And her makeup is immaculate, highlighting her natural beauty. She was always stunning and perfectly presented.
Except that night when her eyes were red from crying as she walked out.
“Claudia?” I reply.
“It’s good to see you.” She leans forward and kisses me on the cheek, one hand resting on my upper arm.
Her perfume wafts over me. It’s the same one she’s always worn. One I bought for her.
Molly snuggles closer to me. “Who that lady, Daddy?”
Claudia’s brows shoot up at hearing Molly’s voice.
“I’m an old friend of your daddy’s,” she says, her attention glued to Molly like she’s an exhibit in a museum. “Gosh, she looks just like you, doesn’t she?”
My grip on Molly tightens.
Claudia’s trance is broken as Molly looks toward Tate as if for reassurance.
“Oh, sorry. Were you about to get a coffee?” Claudia asks, spotting Tate in her uniform. “I could… I could join you. I thought we could talk?”
“I’m actually about to leave,” I say as Cliff parks the car along the sidewalk behind her.
Claudia glances at Cliff climbing out of the car. “Hi, Cliff.” She smiles.
“Miss Hayward.” Cliff nods in greeting, recognizing her immediately.
He drove us home the night I proposed. He also drove her to the airport the night she left. He’s never asked what happened. Instead, he helped me install Molly’s first baby car seat the morning after, his only words about what a special baby she was. He was smitten the first time he laid eyes on Molly. Just like we all were.
Except Claudia.
Claudia looks back at me and pulls a card from her purse. “I’m staying at The Songbird for a few days for work before I go back to Boston. I’d love to have dinner and catch up. I’ve got a table booked at seven tomorrow night. Join me?”
I take the embossed card and read it.Claudia Hayward Designs.
“You started your interior design company?”
She nods. “You always told me I could do it. You were always so supportive.” Her eyes slide to Molly, and she smiles sadly before looking back at me. “Please come, Sullivan. I’ll be waiting for you.”
She reaches out and squeezes my hand, then leaves.
My grip on my glass of water tightens and my attention wanders from Seasons bar manager chatting to me about how New York’s mayor had been in the previous night as laughter rings out from the stage.
Tate’s smiling and chatting with Vincent as he plays cartoon theme tunes on the piano. Molly claps enthusiastically beside her as he comes to the end of another one.
