Soren doesn’t comeinto work the following week, and I don’t hear from him or see him at all.
The following Monday, he arrives and heads straight into his office, not speaking one word to me. Not that I expected him to, but part of me hoped he would at least acknowledge me, considering the reason I was in that situation in the first place was because of him and his crazy-ass sister.
“Miss Knight, Mr. Nixon is asking for a meeting with you.”
“Thank you, Layla.” I head to his office, and he looks up as I enter.
“Shut the door, please,” he says.
I do, and when I turn around, he’s watching me warily. I take a seat and wait for him to tell me what this meeting is about.
“You’ve requested time off,” he states.
“I did.”
“It’s approved. You can leave now.” He just stares at me after making that announcement and says nothing more. So, I stand, unsure of what’s happening. I go to the door, and as I grip the handle, I glance back at him.
His gaze is still locked on me.
“Where is your sister?” I ask.
“In the hospital,” he tells me.
I want to ask if everything is okay, but I don’t because I don’t care about herat all.
Fuck her!
Though I can’t deny his appearance clearly indicates he’s fighting his own demons: his hair is unkempt, as if he has been running his hands through it too many times, and he has dark circles under his eyes.
Nodding once, I open the door and walk out.
Layla eyes me curiously but doesn’t say anything.
I thought I would miss my old job, but it turns out I really enjoy what I’m doing here. When I don’t have Oliver, I’m usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. Today, though, I have to leave early because I’m picking up Oliver, and I promised to take him for ice cream.
He’s mentioned Soren a few times. He said he likes him. I’ve brushed it off every time because I didn’t expect them to meet the way they did, and that Oliver would take to Soren the way he has. Thankfully, Oliver doesn’t understand what has been happening because the crazy-ass bitch didn’t tell him anything. Thank fuck for small mercies at least.
I collect my things, and on my way out, I glance into Soren’s office. He’s sitting at his desk, his head in his hands, looking like he’s contemplating life. A part of me wants to go in there and check if he’s okay. All the other parts know better, and they keep my feet moving toward the exit.
If he really cared, he would have called me by now. But I don’t think he does. It was all because I was a woman who was there and available.
The next few days pass quickly, and when I pick Oliver up from school on Wednesday, like always, he tells me all about his day. I smile at him, and once again, like always, I wonder how I got so lucky when it comes to my son. I briefly considered having more children, but soon concluded one was enough for me. Noah always wanted more kids, and I guess he can do that now with his new fiancée.
They sent me an invitation to their wedding. I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to go, even if I still get along with him and his family. It’s a new beginning for him, and I don’t want to be there to taint it with old memories of us. We will always remain connected because of Oliver, but I don’t think we should go any further than that.
When we arrive back at my place, Noah is already waiting for us. We agreed that he could have him tonight since I plan on leaving on Saturday to spend a week at my family’s house.
“Hey, buddy,” Noah says, patting Oliver’s shoulder. “Go get your things.” Oliver runs inside, and I turn to face Noah as we wait.
“I got the wedding invite. I won’t be there, Noah.”
“I figured as much, but I thought I would ask.” I nod as I glance at the door. “Bet your family is excited,” I say, turning back to him with a small smile.
“They are. They already have it all planned out.” He chuckles. “Be prepared for Oliver to come back a horse rider.”
I laugh.
“Oh, yes, I remember when they tried to get me on a horse. Didn’t end well.”
