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“I look forward to meeting him. I can’t imagine a little version of you. Talk about a flashback,” I add, and now it’s his turn to look away.

“About that. Scarlett, I…well, you know…you and Willow never got along well. I need this to go smoothly.” He struggles to find the right words, but I hear everything he’s not saying.

“Got it.” I gather the files. “Well, I’m going to head out. If there’s nothing else?” I ask, struggling to hide the hurt in my voice.

“Scarlett, it’s not like that. Stop. I just mean—”

“I know what you meant. It’s Willow. The Willow. Your Willow. God forbid I make her feel uncomfortable.” I walk away, angry it always comes down to her. I only get a few steps before his hand wraps around my arm, his touch singing my skin.

“Stop acting like a brat for a second. This isn’t a game. We aren’t kids anymore. This is my life. My flesh and blood. My family.” Hearing him say that word, the one I know he’s longed for, causes me to stop, but I don’t turn around. I can’t. Not without showing him my unshed tears. I could have been his family. But once again, I’m not enough.

“I get it. I really do.” I try to say the right thing, words a decent friend would say. And I do get it, we’re not so different. But it hurts. It hurts to know I’ve struggled to hold onto him. All the women and the flings, the drinking…I’ve been here, waiting for the day he would lay her ghost to rest. Now that she’s here…

“Thanks, Scar.” He leans forward and places a brotherly kiss on the back of my head. A single tear escapes, leaving a salty trail down my cheek. That’s not a lover’s kiss, it’s a friendly kiss, sisterly even—a kiss that lets me know where I stand. Rather than lose him altogether, I play the role he needs me to play. Friend.

I clear my throat and nod before stepping away. I grab my things and put on the show of my life. “Come on, Daddy. You’ve had a few. I’ll drive you home.”

“Scarlett,” he warns.

“Too soon?” I turn, smiling at him, hoping he can’t see the tears waiting to fall.

He grabs his jacket, catching on, and replying, “Lead the way, Corporate Barbie.”

“Arse!” I smile as genuine of a smile as I can manage.

Going down in the lift, I let it all wash over me. He has a son. Willow’s son. He is a father. They will be a family. And I’m as alone as I’ve ever been. Maybe I’ll see if Teddy wants to grab a drink. He never has plans. If he can’t, I’m sure I can find someone more than willing to help me drown my sorrows in a pint. Stepping into the damp night air, my skin tingles with awareness. I look around, but see nothing.

“Scarlett? What is it?” Piers asks, and I jump, startled.

“Nothing. Just chilly,” I lie, taking a deep breath as we step into the car park.

I can’t help but have a strange feeling. I’ve been nervy all night, but my emotions are all over the place. I think I will have that drink. Find a dark little corner of a pub to drown myself in. But first, take Piers home where he belongs. And then I'll lose myself into the shadows of the night—where I belong.