My loaded avocado toast and her poached egg with hash arrives, and we spend most of the next several minutes digging in. Then comes my confession.
“I hated you when I first met you.”
She has the nerve to look surprised. “Because I asked about your background?”
“Because of the dynamic between you and Ace. I was in tune with him, even back then. I felt how hurt he was, and it pissed me off.”
“Well, considering the fact that you didn’t know me, I’d say you misjudged.”
“I don’t think I did.”
“Get to know me, Raya," she deadpans. "I’m delightful.”
I burst out laughing, while she stares with the most confused look on her pretty face.
“Well, you’re definitely amusing.”
“And delightful.”
I shrug. “Well, your daughter hates me.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“I’m not delightful, like, atall, but I hope for Ace’s sake that we all can move forward. I want the baby to know his father’s side of the family.”
She stops chewing and stares at me.
I flash a smile back, because this is the order of things, and I think she realizes she’s gonna have to get with the program.
Or not.
No skin off my back either way.
“Question for you,” she says. “Are you happy about the baby?”
I frown at that. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know. And you didn’t answer my question.”
Great. She can feel my detachment. That’s not what I want.
“I’m very happy,” I lie. “I can’t wait to be a mother.”
She smiles tightly. She can’t prove me wrong, but I think we both understand each other.
45
Raya
“He looks like he’s in a good mood,” Ace says as he peers through the glass at Taylor Lexus.
“How can you tell?”
“He’s drumming his knuckles on top of the desk. That means he’s counting his money.”
He grabs my hand and we make our way through the dealership. Ace speaks to half a dozen happy employees as we traverse the large space. I remember him telling me he used to sit in this office at ten at night doing homework, waiting for his father to finish up. He grew up here, which explains his relaxed posture and easy smiles with the workers.
I, on the other hand, am nervous. Maybe it’s Ace’s fucking baby making me anxious, but I’m actually invested in the outcome today.
