“Oh. Um, I’m fine.”
I chuckle. “I’m old enough to know that means you’re not fine.”
There’s silence on the other end of the phone, and I wonder if it wasn’t time for a joke, no matter how minor it was.
“I guess I’m not,” she finally says, and I feel relief for a second before her words sink in, and I realize she’s not okay.
“What can I do?” I ask, leaning against the brick wall and looking out at the busy road. My gaze turns in the direction of her building. Not that I can see it from here. There are just too many damn buildings in the way.
“You don’t have to do anything. You’ve done enough.”
“I want to do more. Anything. Whatever I can.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” I admit, shaking my head. “I truly do not know; I only know that I want to. I don’t like seeing you hurting, and I want to fix it.”
“You’re my boss,” she whispers.
“Yes.”
“You’re… my ex-boyfriend’s father.”
I sigh, closing my eyes. “Yes.”
It’s silent for a beat, then another and another. Until she finally speaks, saying the exact words I wanted to hear.
“Can you come over?”
Chapter Fourteen
Seraphine
The second the words leave my lips, I regret them.
I just invited Elliot Caldwell, my ex-boyfriend’s father and new boss, to my apartment.
The apartment he owns. That he is allowing me to live in.
What in the world was I thinking?
Iwasn’tthinking. I was giving in to my loneliness and desperation—the need to be with someone because being alone sucks.
I’ve been cooped up in this apartment for a week and haven’t talked to a single person other than the man who delivered my food yesterday. Even then, it was nothing more than a, “Hey, how are you?”
Harrison calls multiple times a day, but I don’t answer. My old phone still sits on the kitchen counter. I only moved it enough to plug it in, so it doesn’t die, but I haven’t touched it otherwise. I’m not sure why I don’t want to answer the phone when I know Harrison is calling. I guess I’m still not ready tohear what he has to say. I’m scared he’s going to offer something I shouldn’t give him, but will, because I’m desperate for familiarity and comfort.
Why did Elliot call?Why did he have to catch me at such a weak moment? When I was lying on my couch, watchingSweet Home Alabama, and completely miserable. Sad. Lonely.
This is the exact reason I won’t answer the phone when Harrison calls. So why is his father different?
Maybe him coming here won’t be so bad. Maybe speaking to a human will be nice. Unless he’s expecting something to happen while he’s here. That can’t happen. It won’t.
So then why did I invite him here? He doesn’t give off the emotional support vibe I could use right now. He seems like more of the physical support type of guy. Like the apartment and new phone.
As if my brain is finally catching up, I realize that Elliot Caldwell is on his way here. I jump up from the couch and rush to my bedroom to change out of the clothes I’ve been in for the last few days. After putting on fresh sweatpants and a t-shirt, I brush my hair and teeth. Normally, I wouldn’t be seen in this outfit in front of him, but this isn’t a freaking date and I’m not trying to show off. This is fitting for the circumstances. Besides, I don’t own the type of clothing he likes women in—no dress suits or blouses.
I look like crap as I stare at myself in the mirror. I haven’t been eating great, and I’ve been sleeping too much. My skin is pale and my eyes are bloodshot. Caring about what I look like isstupid. Why should I care? My appearance isn’t something I put stock into before, outside of looking presentable, but I never went overboard. With all I’m dealing with, it’s a reason to look like trash. So, screw it.
