“Jill,” she pressed.
I sighed in resignation. “My meeting with Patrick didn’t go well,” I explained vaguely.
She held a hand up. “Hold on, what do you mean?”
I set the knife I’d been holding down with a sigh and reluctantly met her eyes. “He can’t locate Tim.”
Her eyes bugged out. “What?”
I shrugged, my lack of sleep making me feel defeated. “He moved out of the apartment, left his job.”
“Damn,” she murmured. “Why didn’t you call me last night? You know the guys won’t like this. One in particular will be livid.” She eyed me knowingly.
I put her omelet and muffin in front of her, along with Maddox’s serving so she could feed him. “I didn’t purposely keep it to myself. I just needed some time to process everything.”
By everything she instinctively knew I meant more than just Tim.
“What happened with Cal? I can’t believe he was out in New Mexico with you.” Her tone was expectant, eyes wide.
I picked up Mason and put him in the high chair. “He was really helpful,” I explained, putting some food on Mason’s tray. His chubby little hands reached out, immediately shoving as much as he could in his mouth. “Honestly, I don’t know how I would have done it without him,” I admitted with a visible wince.
She glared at me, her fork pointed toward me. “I knew you needed help. Why in the hell are you always so stubborn?” she demanded.
“Um, sorry?” I tried meekly.
She rolled her eyes. “Likely story, and one I know I’ll be hearing again. Thank God Cal is smart enough to cut through all your bull. Now, did anything happen with you two? Have you told him about Tim being off the grid?”
I shrugged. “Why would I? It’s not like he’s my man. Plus, I haven’t even heard from him since we got back,” I replied defensively.
“Jill, the man has done everything short of outwardly claim you. When you broke your arm and were in the hospital, he slept on a bench outside of your room, for God’s sake.”
My eyes widened in shock. I’d known he’d been there but not that he’d spent the night.
“I thought you knew,” she murmured, seeing the shock register on my face.
I shook my head, completely overwhelmed.
She reached over and took my hand. “Jilly, he’s wanted you from day one. I know you see it. I also see the way you look at him. What’s stopping you?” she asked quietly.
The million-dollar question.
“I don’t know. Nothing? Everything?” I replied. “I guess I just feel sort of fragile after everything with Tim,” I explained when Sophie looked perplexed. “I’m determined to reclaim who I was before I met Tim.”
“You will, honey,” she murmured. “But what does that have to do with not letting Cal get close to you?”
I sighed. “Cal wouldn’t just get close. He’d consume. I don’t want to question where I end and he begins.”
She smiled knowingly. “I get what you’re saying. But honey, don’t think about where you end—focus on where youbegin. I know you never had it good with Tim. So trust me when I tell you that with the right man you’ll never question who you are. The right man will embrace everything that’s you, flaws and all. You can do it on your own, don’t get me wrong. But there’s nothing wrong with letting someone walk beside you as you get there.”
I let her words sink in. “Maybe,” I allowed hesitantly. “I’m just not in a place to figure all that out right now,” I admitted.
“I get that. You’re tired and I’m sure you want to spend some time with Bubs, with everything that’s going on. Mad and I will get out of your hair. Plus, I’m already ready for a nap.” She sighed, rubbing her growing belly.
“I bet.” I nodded sympathetically. “Has Axel chilled out a bit?” I asked, despite knowing the answer.
When Sophie had been pregnant with Maddox, we’d been living in the same apartment complex in Texas. She’d kept the pregnancy a secret from Axel in order to try to protect him and the baby from threats she’d received from her father. As a result, Ax had missed the first six months of Mad’s life. With this pregnancy, he didn’t want to miss a second. It was both incredibly sweet and, at times, a bit stifling for my friend.
She snorted as she finished the last of her breakfast. “The term isn’t part of his vocabulary. He’s been extremely overprotective, more so than usual. But he’s also been so helpful with Mad and has taken such good care of me. I can’t complain. It’s really special to experience this with him.” She sighed blissfully.
