Harper shrugs. “She said she never wanted to see you again.”
I wince. “She’s that pissed?”
“How would you feel?” Harper pulls a face.
Probably like crap. “If you give me her number, I can call to apologize, so technically she’s not seeing me.”
Harper thinks for a beat. “I can’t give you her number without her permission. But I’ll text her and ask.”
Pulling a phone from her bag, she taps out a message. A few seconds later, it beeps with a reply. As Harper reads Alyssa’s text, her eyes widen with mirth. She bites her bottom lip, and I suspect she’s trying to stop herself from laughing.
“What did she say?”
“Umm…she said she doesn’t want me to give you her number.” A giggle escapes from her lips.
I frown, not believing that’s what’s written. “What did she really say?”
“I told you.” Harper grins.
“Give me that!” I snatch the phone from Harper’s hand.
She reaches for it, but I swing my body away from her. “Hey!” she yells.
I hold the phone up out of her reach and read the message.
You can tell Hayden that no, he can’t have my number. He can stick his apology where the sun don’t shine, because I know you’re the one who’s probably making him feel like shit for being such a sneaky jerk. You can also tell him he missed out on the best sex he would ever have in his life. Now he’ll never know!
I hand the phone back to Harper. “I hate that I’ve hurt her.”
Harper tucks the phone in her bag. “She’ll calm down soon, and hopefully, one day we can all laugh about this.”
I raise an eyebrow, not believing a word of what Harper said.
“I said ‘one day,’ not tomorrow or the day after. It will be a dayfarinto the future. Now, I have to get back to Avery, she’s due to be nursed.” I watch her cup her breasts as if weighing them and smile like she’s about to do the most wonderful thing in the world. “See you later.” She waves and sails from the room.
I sink into the chair, resting my head back. That’s what raising a baby should be like. A mother excited to feed her baby, be with her baby,raiseher baby. It was doubly perfect because she was doing it with a man she loved, who was just as excited about parenthood.
I missed out on that. Missed out on the loving partner to start a family with. I had no one to turn to when things got tough.
But I’m not the one I’m concerned about. Lily is the one who missed out on so much. Missed out on a mother’s love. It is up tome to give her the best life I can. I can’t let anything, oranyone, get in the way of that.
Chapter Five
ALYSSA
For two days, I’ve been sitting in my tiny apartment doing nothing but going stir-crazy. I’m not used to so much down-time. I’ve always kept busy and active, and I don’t think I can take much more.
The swelling and bruising in my ankle has lessened, and I’m able to walk around without too much discomfort. However, standing for long periods of time or attempting any dance moves causes shooting pain in my ankle, so I know I can’t work yet.
I could catch a cab to Harper’s house and have cuddle time with Avery. But what if I run into Hayden? I haven’t in the year that she’s been married, but knowing my luck, it would happen. I’m still too annoyed about his flash-and-dash to be in the same room with him. I meant it when I said I didn’t want to see him again.
I make my way into the kitchen and go about making myself a turkey sandwich for lunch. As I sit at the counter, ready toeat, my phone rings, and my old ballet teacher’s name flashes on the screen. I was sixteen when my family moved to Paris and I last took one of her classes, but in the years since, we’ve kept in touch. Although, with my busy schedule and her teaching, time has flown by between catch-ups.
“Hi, Miss Lucia,” I answer. Even though I’m no longer a student, and we are friends, I’ve never felt comfortable calling her by only her first name.
“Ciao, Alyssa. How are you,bella?” Even after living in America for over forty years, Miss Lucia still has a strong Italian accent.
“Better now that I’m talking to you. I’ve missed you.”
