“Now, if you want to start that tradition, then you owe me a sit-down with that little bitch you're dating that told you my son is weak and annoying. Do you want me to have that conversation with him?”
When I brought up what Jacob overheard to Valerie, I told her I wanted to have a conversation with James. She damn near begged me to let her handle it. She knew that my conversation with him would go a lot differently than hers. To keep the peace, I allowed her to take care of it. But with the understanding that if it came back to Jacob in any way, she wouldn’t be able to keep me from James.
The sound of her sniffles through the phone caught me off guard. “You really are dating someone?”
Shutting my eyes and taking a deep breath, I rub my forehead. This fucking woman. I have not touched Val since the day I found out she was cheating. That was a year before our divorce became final. Why she’s acting this way about me dating is insane, especially since I’ve been with a few women since the divorce. Granted, none of them were anything serious, and I definitely didn’t cut a workday short for them.
“I’m hanging up if you don’t tell me what you wanted.” I could be a little more considerate of her feelings, but why?
Her deep, annoyed sigh comes through the speaker. “I just wondered if you could watch Jacob tomorrow for me. I wanted to hang out with some friends. But I guess you’re too busy for that now.”
I shake my head even though she can’t see it. “That’s the difference between me and you. No matter what relationship I’m in, I’ll never be too busy for my son. Bring him over tomorrow.”
She’s silent again. I look at the screen to make sure she hasn’t hung up.
“Are you happy with her?” Her tentative voice comes through my speaker.
Rolling my eyes, I reply. “Goodbye, Val.” I press the end call button, ending the phone call.
Like I told Ella, I had no problem telling the world I was with her. I know El thinks that this is just temporary, but she and I have two completely different outcomes in mind. After years of wanting her and finally having her, I have no plans of letting her go. But if it makes her feel good by thinking that I am, I will allow her to keep the fantasy. Until I can get her on board.
This relationship won’t come without some issues. I know the moment I tell Val that the woman I’m with is Ella, she’s going to lose her shit. She will most likely take her anger with me out onmy relationship with Jacob. I’m not worried about her keeping him from me because I have documentation of all the times she’s not kept her end of the custody arrangement. I’d fight her in court until my bank account dried up for my son.
Despite how casual I’m being about this relationship with Ella, I know how ugly it’s going to get when it all comes out. I didn’t care who didn’t like it. Hell, I’d call Drew today and tell him if I could.
The moment I think about her ex, I’m reminded of my secret. Shit. At some point I need to tell her about that night. I’ve known Drew all my life; he’d definitely use that information to ruin me and Ella. Plus, I don’t want to start a relationship with her with such a big secret hanging over us.
My attention turned to the front of the large medical building as soon as I spotted Ella. She’s in the middle of a conversation with another woman. She hasn’t noticed my truck yet.
I can’t keep my eyes off her. She’s wearing a pair of burgundy scrubs that fit her body so damn perfectly. Her short hair is pushed behind her ears, giving me the perfect, unobstructed view of her gorgeous face. My gaze followed her from the front of the building to the parking lot where she and the other lady separated.
When she finally turns in my direction, I can tell the moment she spots me. The smile that spreads over her face makes my heart beat faster and my palms sweat. This woman has no idea how crazy I am about her.
I let down my window as she approached. “Well, hello, beautiful?”
She ducks her head, hiding that stunning smile from me. When she looks up at me, her face is flushed from her blush.
“Mitchell, what are you doing here at noon on a Friday?”
I chuckle. She’s the second person to call out how rare this is. “Well, I figured since today is your early day, I’d take the day too. I wanted to take my girl out on the town.”
Her lip slips between her teeth. “You took a day off for me?”
“I sure did. Now come on, I have a full day planned for us.”
She looks skeptical for a second, glancing around the parking lot. I don’t rush her. I already know she’s going to come with me.
She shakes her head as if she’s disagreeing with her inner thoughts. After pushing the shoulder strap of her purse further up her arm, she grabbed the handle of my passenger door. Like I said, I knew she would come.
Ella climbs into the truck and shuts the door. When she turns back to face me, I reach over the console, place my finger under her chin and bring her face to mine for a kiss. My tongue pushed into her mouth, claiming it as mine. I suck on her tongue and then her lips before going back to kissing her. When she pulls away, I let her go. Her lowered eyes stare back at me.
“You’re being risky, Mr. Miller. Someone could see us.”
I wasn’t really worried about anyone seeing us because my windows are tinted and we were parked at the back of the parking lot.
I wink at her. “You know I don’t give a fuck, Ms. Scott.”
She giggles like a schoolgirl, and it’s the cutest thing. I lean back onto my side of the truck.
