When I look back at Nick, he leans over and pats my shoulder. “Proud of you too, Henley. You’re running a successful business and now you’re a father. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about how fatherhood would impact your life. But you seem to be doing really well.”
Yeah, except for kissing my nanny and acting like an ass sometimes because I hate that I want her.
“Thanks, Nick.”
“Love you both,” he says, and like an arrow just pierced through my heart, I stand from the chair to get some space.
How can such simple words wreak havoc on my brain and body so easily? And for years?
“How’s Elodie?” Carol asks, changing the subject to the woman I couldn’t get out of the house fast enough to avoid this morning.
I honestly don’t know what came over me last night, but as soon as Remy was sleeping peacefully in her bassinet, I felt like I could breathe. And then when I came out of my room and saw Elodie sitting on my couch, staring off into space but looking so fucking gorgeous, completely unaware of how much her presence calmed me yesterday at the hospital, something in me snapped.
Unfortunately, the only thing I could think to do after that mind-blowing kiss was to go to my room and lock the door, because if I didn’t, I sure as fuck wasn’t going to stop there.
“Yes, Henley. How is Elodie?” Dilynne echoes, peering over at me with anticipation as she shoves another bite of French toast in her mouth.
“She’s…good.”
Unbelievably talented. Strong-willed. Patient. A remarkable kisser. The only reason why I’m not rocking myself in a corner right now as a new dad.
“Good? So you two…talked?” my sister prods further.
Snapping my eyes to her, I say, “Were we supposed to?”
“I mean, she was with me and Laney when you called her last night. She left us to meet you at the ER.”
“If you need someone, you know you can always call me too,” Carol interjects. “I kind of know a thing or two about taking care of kids.”
“I know, Carol. And I appreciate that. In that moment though, the first person I thought to call was Elodie. Sorry.”
“No apology necessary. She’s a part of your and Remy’s life now.”
Yeah, but not for long, or at all if she quits after I kissed her last night.
Focusing back on Dilynne, I say, “What was she supposed to talk to me about?”
Dilynne shrugs, pretending like she doesn’t know exactly what Elodie wanted to speak to me about, but my gut tells me she does, and partly that’s because I know my sister is a horrible liar. “Again, you should talk to her.”
“Why didn’t she come with you today?” Carol asks. “You know she’s always welcome here and there’s plenty of food.”
Dilynne pushes her chair back from the table, taking her plate into the kitchen and slapping two more pieces of French toast on it. “Not for long.”
Nick shakes his head, amused by my sister. I look back at Carol. “Uh, Elodie was still sleeping when I left.”
“It’s eleven in the morning,” Dilynne’s brows draw together in confusion.
“I left at eight.”
Her mouth falls open. “What the hell did you do for three hours?”
Go anywhere to avoid being at home and alone with her.“I drove to Asheville to the store for more diapers and stuff for Remy. Then we stopped by the bakery and visited with Carolina, and then we went to the park.”
Carol, Nick, and Dilynne share a look just as my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see a text from Elodie.
Elodie:Hey. Not sure when you’ll be home, but I’m going to go out for a while and run a couple of errands. See you later?
Me:Yeah, see you back at the house.
