Derek finds me with my legs up an hour later while I’m in the middle of a phone call. When I give him permission by calling him in, he stops short when he sees my positioning. “Do I want to know?” He asks me quietly as I listen to the other person on my line talk. “I’ll explain,” I whi
I lean forward, shaking my head to prove I’m okay. Taking a breath, I close my eyes to say the next thing. “Things may have been bad the past few weeks, but nothing with Ryan.” “You’d mentioned you found a lawyer at one point.” I open my eyes, giving him a kind smile. “I did. He’s doin
“The girls asked if they could come over today and see the cat.” Derek’s texts have slowly grown more personal instead of professional. I’m feeling anxious of course, but that’s just because I am starting to wonder what he’s seeing when he looks at me. I don’t mind being kind to his da
The question is, how much is he willing to do before I hurt him, or vice versa? “Hi Miss Esme!” The girls say in unison when I open the door for them. “Hi girls!” I sing-song back. “How are you, I haven’t seen you in a bit!” “Daddy said you were sick!” the younger sister states.
“Oh, well, look who it is!” A voice calls out. My head turns around, trying to see who is being loud in the store. It takes a moment to find the source, which I realize is my own cousin. Anger flares through my nostrils, and I feel my teeth start to clench as Melinda approaches.
I’ve been avoiding my mother’s phone calls. But as I spend time with Derek and the girls a few days after seeing Melinda, I realize it won’t stick. “Seems like someone has been attempting to reach you?” Derek questions as my phone lights up with the sixth call in the past twenty minutes.
I imagine this is what they may have grown used to with Derek and his ex—their mother. “I can’t believe you right now!” I continue. “He got my cousin pregnant, and you’re telling me I’m the villain?” “Esme! Watch your tone!” “No! Why don’t you take my side?” “Because the
“Is she always like that?” Derek asks, amused. I feel absolutely whiplashed but know I can’t just sit here with my mouth wide open. I swallow, hesitant. “Yes?” “Well, she seems quite old-school.” I snort. “You genuinely do not know the half of it.” “Go, Daddy!” one of the
For once in our friendship, my friends don’t pressure me to open up with them. They just protect me. I’m not used to such behavior from my sarcastic, goofy friends. It’s nice, because ever since I left Ryan I’ve felt as if the entire world has demanded answers, even if I’m not ready. It’s not unti
Annie and Lily come over for the first time in a while. It feels so nice to be surrounded with my girls, and their hugs when first arriving feel like something I’ve deprived myself of. “I wish you’d find out the gender,” Annie groans as she stretches herself out on the sofa. “I want to know if I’m
“That’s not—” “You don’t treat me like an underling.” “You’re not one!” “Yes, I am! I’m supposed to be under you! This isn’t a debate that we should be having. We’ve been pushing the envelope on what’s appropriate and what’s not. In the end, we have blurred any lines we had the day I left my h
“And I’ll have those numbers determined once the remainder of the information comes in,” I say into my work phone. “Don’t worry, I know everything is a mess right now but it’s an easy fix.” I sigh and look up, startled to see Derek standing at my open office door. He looks serious and also worried
Bea shoves the item in her hands at me. I take it softly, looking down at what she had. A picture of a beautiful redhead with a bright smile stare back at me. I see two small girls surrounding her. Bea can’t be more than three, and the baby wrapped in blankets held by the woman must be Tris. “Is t
“No. I called you. I couldn’t think of anything else.” I nod. “Call the front desk, security, any friends you might have in the building or complex altogether. Have the pool on lookout, and anywhere else she might feel she can hide.” “Okay,” Derek says, nodding but still clearly distraught. I
My phone starts ringing as I leave the restaurant I’ve just eaten at. Daniel and I had a meeting today to talk about the restraining order and other paperwork. Not only that, but now Daniel knows about Natalie’s claims, as well as our suit against Max. “I really wish I didn’t have these other pr
“Uh, there’s a difference?” He seems more confused than when he walked in now. “Cause I’m just worried about not being able to answer all her questions.” “Well,” I think. “They’ll be showing that health class video soon. Most girls don’t actually hit puberty and get their periods until middle scho
It’s around eight when I hear knocking on my door. I’ve been getting stuff done and cleaning the apartment. But the baby? That has been causing some issues. Even wearing better shoes and making sure I’m taking care of my health and stress; I’m still not having an easy time. And this is still the