Our timing really sucks, I’ll say that. Maybe this is a sign that whatever I’m feeling, whatever is between us, isn’t meant to be. How many times can we pass like ships in the night before we throw in the towel?
Cynical, party of one.
I won’t let that happen. I know it as much as I know my own name. At the very least, I’ll be in our baby’s life.
But I’ve spent the last year and a half on this case. I can’t exactly derail it because I’d rather see where things go with Claire. I mean, I’d love to do that, but shit is too damn complicated right now to throw everything out the window and play hooky with her.
The only thing I can do is pack my bag and head out, not knowing when or if I’ll be able to return. I hate every single second of it.
Claire sits on the bed, watching me, not saying anything.
I stare at her, trying to find the words to tell her I’m not nearly done with her. That I’ll be back as soon as I can be. That I like her and want to see where things go. That I’ll be there for her and the baby, no matter what.
But all I can do is lean down, cup her cheek, and kiss her with all the emotion I can. It could have lasted eternity, and I damn wish it did, but eventually I pull away and place my forehead against hers.
“I will be back,” I whisper. Then I press a kiss to her exposed stomach.
When I pull back, it takes everything in my body to walk away.
If I can figure out this shit at work, then maybe I can take some of the obstacles out of our way.
After one hell of a drive and being caught up in New York City traffic, I finally make it back to the office.
“How’s our girl?” Lex asks as I walk in.
“Our girl?” I whip around to see him smirking at me.
“Oh, how the mighty fall,” Sin comments as he walks by me with a cup of coffee in his hand.
“What are you assholes even talking about?” Deflection is the key here.
“Oh, don’t be all butthurt that we’re calling you on your little crush,” Stone calls out from his desk.
“You’re one to talk about a crush and being butthurt.”
Sin and Lex crack up.
“Every single one of you are assholes,” Stone says.
“Takes one to know one.” Sin practically cackles.
“Alright, dickheads, what’s this big break?” I ask.
“This one’s a doozy. Oh, and congrats!” Juliette says as she walks into our desk area.
It’s an open-area room so we’re able to talk through shit easily. I’m usually never here, so my desk is a barren wasteland where random paperwork lands.
“Congrats?” Sin asks.
“Claire’s pregnant. I assume it’s Adam’s,” Juliette says casually, but the entire room stops. It’s like they collectively hold their breaths.
“Holy shit,” Stone says wide-eyed.
“Congrats, man.” Lex claps my back as the rest of the team follows his lead.
“Thanks. Can we focus on work? It’s still a lot to process,” I tell them. It’s really not. For me, it’s just a matter of winning Claire over. I’m a goner for them both at this point.
Juliette hands out a file folder to every member of our team as Woodcroft walks out of his office.
