Voss sighs. “I don’t expect him to be a blubbery mess, but I kind of expected some indication that he feels one way or another,” he admits. “I don’t know. He doesn’t appear to be upset. In fact, as much as I hate to say it, he looks happier now.”
“You all always thought that he didn’t love her,” I remind him.
He nods absently as he brings Axl into his arms. He watches his son for a minute before meeting my eyes. “I don’t think he did. But he was going to marry her. I understand people marry for reasons other than love, but I want to believe he was at least fond of her, right? Which means I expect him to be marginally upset that their relationship is over quite suddenly.”
“I’m glad he’s not upset,” I say, shrugging. “If he’s happier now without her, then I think that’s what matters.”
“Yeah?”
I think about Levis and the girlfriend he left behind when we moved here. It was a weight off his shoulders when he ended it with her. “Yeah. Maybe you don’t always consciously understand your feelings until something happens.”
Voss pulls me to him. I’m careful not to crush Axl between us as I rest my head against Voss’. “Like you and me. That what you’re thinking?”
“No, actually. But yeah, like this. I don’t know about you, but for me, until I thought you were getting together with Lorissa after Axl was born, I didn’t realize how I felt about you. That could work in the opposite direction, too, though.”
“I guess you’re right. I’d rather he be happy than upset. Dad deserves to be happy.”
I kiss him and then step back. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“Have a good day.”
My fingers move gently over Axl’s hair in goodbye. “You too. I’ll text you when I leave the office.”
Voss nods.
I leave the nursery and head for the elevator. I only use the elevator when I’m heading to the underground garage. It’s not located in a convenient place for where I usually am. Itiscentral in the house, which makes perfect sense, but my room is at the far end. Not close.
As I decided, I take a brief field trip to the property behind the estate. It’s gated off with a posted sign stating that it’s a construction site and only authorized personnel are allowed beyond that point. It’s fine. I can see through, and honestly, I’m shocked. There’s the outline of an actual structure already climbing into the air. I see several more beyond the closest.
Voss wasn’t wrong. This thing will appear overnight. Although I have absolutely no stake in this and will never be even a little involved, an excited pit forms in my stomach. It’s really cool to see it go from a 3D drawing to something real.
I stay there for several minutes, watching as the machines work. The structures are recognizable as buildings, and only because I’m somewhat familiar with the layout of the new campus do I have an idea of what I’m looking at. I can’t wait to see what they look like when they come together.
After a while, I turn around and head for the office. I have to at least pretend to work today.
As promised,I finish my showing and head out. I let Zaiden know that I’m heading home and that I have nothing going on. He can send me messages to follow up with if need be, and I’ll use my company phone to answer them.
However, right now, I have a gorgeous man and his adorable son waiting for me at home. That’s where I want to be. I want to crawl back into bed and cuddle the day away. I want to have some orgasms and family cuddles too. Not that we’re a family, but still.
I climb into my car and hit the start. The engine makes a whiny sound before quitting entirely. The check engine light comes on. I wait, watching the dashboard. It usually goes out right after it comes on.
Clicking off the engine entirely, I give it a minute and then try again. This time, the engine just makes a clicking sound.Click, click, click, click.The lights flash wildly, like Christmas has settled into my dash. There are symbols I didn’t know existed on my dash, twinkling at me.
Letting it go, I decide that my car isn’t going to start. This is what I get for continuously putting off getting it looked at. It’s been months since it was giving me warnings of its imminent death, and I chose to ignore it.
Sighing, I gather my bag across my chest and pull up the Shuttled app to order a car home. There’s one right around the corner, so I hit ‘Order.’ Then, I send a text to Voss.
Me
Car won’t start. Getting a ride home.
Voss Van Doren
I can come get you. Axl’s never had a car ride before.
I grin.
Me
