My approach obviously needs to be retailored, and I'mbeginning to feel it, too, if I'm honest. Is this what cooling off from this life-changing news feels like?
“I'm calm. I'll talk to her. Do you have a recommendation for where we can go for early lunch away from the office?”
Foster and Julian look at one another and chuckle before Foster zips his gaze back to me. “Do we? The city is ours. We have options. So what ambiance are you wanting?”
My phone begins to vibrate, and I fish it out of my pocket. “Hold on, the assistant has the time the movers are arriving at my new place.”
But one glance at my home screen and dread fills me.
Elodie
What the hell! We need to talk and fast!
“I need a spot with a table in the corner, private, and where nobody can hear. Food should be top-notch to ease the mood. And I need a reservation ASAP because I did something this morning that she already wants to kill me for…”
4
ELODIE
As soon as I enter the highly reviewed Italian restaurant with a dark interior, I’m ushered by the hostess to the back, to a circular corner booth with a white linen tablecloth tucked away from everyone, where Hayes is already waiting. The hostess seems to notice that my scowl isn’t changing into a polite smile for her, which isn’t like me, but I’m boiling. She skitters away.
Hayes looks up as I hover, standing stiffly beside the table, not taking my seat yet.
“If you want to play dirty, then I sure as hell will,” I begin, with venom in my voice and my hand on my hip.
I hate two things right now. One is the way the corner of his mouth curls up into a sly smirk while he’s in a three-piece suit, which causes me to forget to breathe for a beat. Two, he is doing everything to make me livid.
He begins to stand because the man has manners and waits for the woman to sit down. “I didn’t order seafood since we both hate it.” He remembers.
But I let go of that little fact when I recall our last conversation. "I’m not going to stay long. I want you to know that ifyou come at me with your fancy lawyers or legal documents, I won’t hesitate to fight back with a lawyer of my own."
His lips roll in, and for a second, he appears remorseful.
“Elodie,” he says, his tone firm.
I point my finger at him because I’m not going to let him take charge of this conversation. “You need to back it up. Imagine my surprise when I dropped Lola off at daycare this morning, and they let me know thatyourequested to be updated on her day and are now also an emergency contact.”
“Well, they informed me they need your permission, but still. Why not?” My eyes drill into him with my face blank, waiting for the smart man to figure it out. He swings his eyes to the side before zooming back to meet my own. “I admit that was a step too far and should have checked in with you first. I apologize. I’m just eager to learn about Lola.”
I pause, weighing what’s best for my daughter against my memories of this man.
He senses it and spreads his hand out to the table. “Please, join me. We need to talk.” I remain in place. “For Lola.” His voice softens, not at all suited to the image of a man who has his own driver and meets with billionaires every day. Nor the man from the weekend whose wrath I faced.
With a deep breath, I slide into the booth opposite him. “I’m listening, but we have to figure something out.”
He nods once in understanding. “Agreed.”
I lift my chin slightly as I investigate him. He's different today, I sense it. “Have you decided to ditch the asshole approach for this conversation? Because our last one wasn't so great,” I remind him.
He actually has a shade of a smirk on his face. “You might have had a point and I wasn't my best self when we spoke back in Everhope.”
"Really? Who could have guessed?” I say, deadpan.
The corner of his mouth ticks due to my comment. Does he find me amusing? He clears his throat. “I would like to make up for that. I'm a better man, and you'll quickly learn that.”
“I don’t deserve the way you’ve approached this all,” I quietly point out.
“No, you don’t,” he solemnly agrees. “Shock and adrenaline clearly don’t bring out my finest qualities.”
