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“Piers here,” he answers, and it sounds like he’s driving.

“Piers? Are you finally taking my calls?” I can’t help the sarcasm that escapes my mouth.

“Did the reworked documents come in on that deal yet?” He skips the greeting, sounding very formal and professional. Seriously?

“Yeah. They are on your desk. So, are you coming into the office this week?” I ask, trying to play it cool, but failing miserably.

“I’ll be in the rest of the week. We had the Barrington meeting today and I’m headed to pick up Drew now,” he blurts out.

“How’d it go?” My voice raises an octave in anticipation. Now Willow will know about the stipulations.And that he lied.

“Really well.” He does vague like an expert.

“So well she paid no attention to the stipulations?” I press.

“There were no issues,” he replies flatly.

“So, you didn’t tell her? Do you really think that’s smart, Piers?” I ask, even though I know he won’t like it.

“Scarlett, this doesn’t really concern you,” he bites back, sighing heavily.

“Why are you avoiding me anyway? You never said,” I whisper, almost afraid of what he’ll say. It could be a million and one things honestly, but it’s just the one thing, I’m sure. Willow. She’s always been the only thing that could come between us. And now Drew, the son no one knew he had.

“I don’t have time for this now, okay? We will talk later. Email those other reports and send the final guest list for the gala so I can review it one last time. I promised Drew we would take the cat to get supplies.”

“You have a cat? Wow! Piers Nichols, family man extraordinaire!” I can’t help but laugh, imagining Piers with a cat. He hates cats.

“Watch it, Scarlett. Sarcasm is not becoming on you,” he warns. “And yes, Drew has a cat. Since he’s my son, in turn, it would seem I now have a cat.”

Wow, sensitive much? I shut my mouth.

“Is that all you need then?” His impatience comes across loud and clear.

“Almost. About the gala...you still have your mask at the office. Don’t forget to grab it.” He doesn’t reply right away, which is troubling. My stomach drops as I prepare for news I’m sure I’m not going to like.

“I told you I was planning to take Willow to the gala. I asked her, and she said yes. I thought we talked about this?” His voice is at least apologetic.

I don’t recall that conversation at all. I mean, he’s barely spoken to me. Anger and sadness fight their way to the surface.

“No, actually, you didn’t. You have barely spoken to me in the last two weeks.” Two weeks!

He remains silent. That says plenty. Obviously, his world didn’t stop for two weeks the way mine did. His just resumed spinning after being stopped for five years, waiting on her.

“Look, Piers, it’s fine. I get it. I really do. She’s the mother of your child. You’re making her feel welcome.” I can’t help but sigh dramatically. “I’ll ask Teddy. I’m sure he wasn’t planning on bringing a date anyway. Win-win. Seriously, don’t worry. You’re doing it to be nice because you have to so she doesn’t bolt again.” I hate myself as the anger laced words fall from my lips.

“I’m not taking her to be nice. What the hell is your problem?” he growls out.

“Of course not. Whatever, Piers. Just grab your mask.”

“Forget the mask. I think we’ve all done enough hiding, wouldn’t you agree?” he snaps, his remark hitting to close to home, but I’m not the only one with secrets. Don’t push me, Piers.

“Don’t be dramatic. It’s the theme. You’re the host. You have to wear a mask,” I remind him, and he knows I’m right.

“I’ll call Harrods and have another sent over for Willow,” I offer. “See? That’s me, playing nice. But I need to know what her dress looks like.”

“I’ll find out and get back to you. I’m here to get Drew, so I really need to go,” he dismisses me.

“I take it you told him then? He knows you’re his dad?” I try to hide the quiver in my voice. He has a son. A child. A family.