"Thanks, Olivia," I say as I leave.
I’m hoping he’ll wait for me to leave first, but halfway down the hall, I know Hayes has already ditched his promise to keep his distance in the office—confirmed when he treads close behind me toward the elevator.
I sigh in frustration when I step inside the elevator, and he follows. When the door closes, I don't look at him.
“She’s right, you know.”
“About the distance in the office? Yeah. Well done for not following that rule ten seconds in,” I reply dryly and look forward at the elevator buttons.
He grabs my arm softly and encourages me to look in his direction. He pins his gaze on me, persistence tinged with a shade of sensitivity. “The other part. The legal parent and dependent factor. Lola's birth certificate?”
“It makes sense to add your name to it.”
“Something is bothering you.” I don’t think I’ve heard his voice this way. It’s softer, more concerned.
My heart pounds—tears threaten, but why? Everything is hitting at once. “Nothing. I’m just processing.” It’s the safest thing I can say. But it bothers me too much, and I turn to him and huff a breath. “Please take it seriously at the office. The professional factor. I’m not you. I’m still building a career under unusual circumstances at my age. I have years to go.Respect that, because the idea of being pushed away or judged all because of you won’t help us.”
He goes mute, and his eyes draw a line up and down my body, although he is pondering my words. It must register with him. I’m being logical. He steps forward and touches my elbow, merely a feathering touch. But it’s enough to make my heart race even faster. My eyes land on his chest because I don’t dare peer up. Having him close makes my brain go haywire. “Okay, Elodie.” He’s resolute in tone, pure sincerity glinting in his eyes.
“Thank you.” I’m uncomfortable under the weight of his stare. I feel heavy and too rooted to the floor, unable to leave his orbit.
“We’ll keep work and our parenting separate. Anything else bothering you?”
I shake my head, even if it is a lie.
He doesn’t seem to believe me but is reluctant to pursue. “Okay. Well, we’ll get the fine print sorted.”
My eyes drift back to the door as the elevator slows at my floor. “Sure.” Because either way, that step is coming, so we might as well get it out of the way. I'm a responsible person when it comes to Lola, and I owe it to her to ensure she has the best opportunities, and Hayes is part of that equation.
Relief floods me the instant the doors slide open. I can't get out fast enough.
“Never? Really?”Savannah doubts me as she stirs her coffee.
We’re sitting at Beans, the coffee shop with decent coffee at the bottom of the building, where anybody from the public can go. I’ve been catching her up to speed and have calmeddown. In the end, nobody said anything wrong during the HR meeting yesterday. It was simply fact and procedure. It was bound to happen, and now it is out of the way. Savannah, although supportive, has now broached the topic I was hoping to avoid.
I set my chicken salad sandwich down on the plate. “I’m not just going to slide back into his bed,” I remind her. If I didn’t have Lola to think about, then the answer would be quite different if I’m honest.
“Whoa there, tiger. I wasn’t talking about that. Good to know someone’s mind is in the gutter, though.” She smiles and brings her mug to her lips for a quick sip. “I was actually talking about exploring the option of a romance. That sometimes involves other things, in case you need a refresher. Maybe dinner or flowers. A kiss,thenthe good stuff that your mind is clearly thinking about.”
It’s only natural—chemistry doesn’t always just switch off because a relationship changes. Especially when his cologne still lingers at my place as a reminder. But we share a daughter; nothing is simple.
“Hmm. Okay.”
Lines form on my forehead. “What do you mean, okay?”
She lifts a shoulder.“I think when it cools between you two about how to navigate Lola, then you both most definitely are going to be investigating something else. If Hayes is like Julian, and from what I know, he is, you have a persistent man in your life now, so congratulations.”
Grumbling to myself, I pray inside that she’s wrong. Can’t I have it easy for once? Must my life be complicated?
“I can’t get twisted into…” I twirl my hands in the air, “whatever it could be. My priority is Lola.”
“Who deserves to be happy, including her parents beingtogether if the option presents itself?” Savannah preambles the suggestion and smiles contritely.
Rolling my eyes, I rake my fingers through my hair. “Why must you drag me into this conversation, my dear best friend?”
“Because someone needs to say it out loud, the obvious question everyone is wondering. Most of all, you, and that is you and Hayes, Hayes and you.”
Shaking my head, I crack a smile because her annoyance is warranted. Admittedly too, the mere picture in my mind of that scenario isn't a negative thought. I glance at my phone, which is lying on the table on silent, noticing the screen flash as a message from Hayes appears. We’ve had contact about Lola over the last few days, but not much else.
