Silence greets me on the other end. “Hello?”
“Hi, Miss Foster, this is the landlord from your building,” a gruff voice sounds over the other end of the line.
“Yes. Hi. How is everything going with my apartment?”
“All the repairs have been completed, and it’s ready for you to move back into.”
“Really?” I say more to myself than to him.
“You can move back in today if you’d like. I apologize that it took so long, but I’ll be sure to let Mr. Scott know as well.”
“No!” My voice comes out louder than I expected. “I mean, he’s here with me, so I’ll let him know.”
“Appreciate that. He’s a scary man. I’ll let you get back to your afternoon.”
I thank him and end the call.
The repairs to my apartment have been the last thing on my mind these last few months. I settled into life with Leo easily.
And now, it seems like I might slip out just as easily.
Leo
Shit.I’m an absolute cock. I went into the office this morning to get some work done on projects that have fallen behind and am only now leaving. At seven at night. I didn’t even hear my phone when she called. I can only imagine how pissed she’s going to be when I get home.
It’s been hard, trying to get everything lined up so I can be with Reagan full time. I don’t want to miss out on things, not like I did today.
Pushing open the door, I realize it’s silent. The only lights are coming in from the city spread out before me.
“Reagan?” I might as well be calling into the void, as she doesn’t answer me. Kicking off my shoes, I walk towards our room to find her. It should scare me how easily she’s slotted herself into my life, but it doesn’t.
Reagan is sitting in bed, headphones in, a book resting on her belly. She doesn’t hear me walk over to her until I sit down next to her.
“Leo! Shit, you scared me!” She pulls the buds out of her ears, her face not giving away any emotion.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t make it today.” I cover my hand with hers, giving it a squeeze. “I got so pulled into my work that I completely lost track of time.”
“It’s fine. Not like it was a big deal.” Reagan shrugs a shoulder. I hate seeing this indifference on the face of the woman I love. To know that I put it there is a knife through the heart.
“It’s not fine. I’m a complete wanker for missing it. I didn’t even hear your calls.”
“It is what it is.” The iciness in her tone could freeze the Sahara. “I knew you were going into the office, and I shouldn’t have made plans. Lesson learned.”
“Let me make it up to you, Rae. How about we go out and grab some dinner?” I plead with her.
Reagan slips her hand from my grasp. “Maybe tomorrow. I’m tired.” She pops her earbuds back in, ending the conversation.
“Can I at least bring you something?” She shakes her head, dismissing me.
I can feel her starting to pull away. Between missing the doctor’s appointment, and now this, how can she see that I’m someone she can depend on? I never had anyone to depend on growing up. So I had to be that person for Kai. Now that we’re older, we don’t need each other in that way.
But I want to be that person for Reagan. For our child. I don’t want her to think that I might be like my parents. Cutting at the first sign of hard times. I want to see them grow up. To be there for them when they cry.
Between trying to find my replacement to run things and finishing the work I have, there’s not enough hours in the day. And I’m worried the person I’m going to hurt the most is the one that might leave me, deciding I’m not worth the hassle of making this work.
My heart twists in my chest at the thought of not having Reagan here. It was the biggest surprise when she showed up in my office the weekend after we slept together. But now I’m crazy about her. I want to be with her in every meaningful way. I love this woman more than I ever thought possible.
I want to be the person they both can depend on.
