Page 48 of Bobby

I know Bobby said he took care of it, but I still want to see that it’s done. Part of me questions if I can trust what he says. The same part that’s been locked away for a very long time because it was betrayed constantly by my ex. The part that belongs to my heart.

We exit quickly when we stop, thanking Mary as we go. I march the girls inside this time, not just dropping them at the front. We all go to Lily’s classroom first, but before we get there, the principal blocks our path.

“Oh, Ms. Frazzer. I’m so glad I could catch you this morning.”

“You are?”

“Yes. An email will go out shortly, but I wanted to speak to as many parents as possible this morning to let them know beforehand. There’s been a change in staff last-minute, and Mr. Weaver will no longer be teaching physical education. But don’t worry, we have Ms. Hopper stepping in. She has an incredible background both working with kids and teaching. She was even an alternate in the Olympics a few years ago for snowboarding. I think she’ll be a lovely addition to our team.”

I smile and nod, then let the older woman scurry down the hall to share the news with another parent. I squeeze my daughters’ hands, and everything I’ve held in since Friday eases. I drop the girls off, giving each of them an extra hug before going back to the car. But as I exit, it’s not Mary I see, but Marco.

“Hi. What are you doing here?”

“We didn’t get to our meeting on Friday, so I was hoping you’d accompany me this morning to go over what was found last week.”

I turn—and there’s Bobby, standing tall and sharp. How I missed him a moment ago, I’ll never know.

I nod at his words, even if the last thing I want to do is talk. Not when I feel the need to hug him once more, and maybe even kiss him in thanks.

Chapter 18—Bobby

I look down at the incoming call and send Vinny to voicemail. I don’t have the energy to deal with him and any issues he’ll be bringing up right now.

The hardest thing I’ve done in a long time was this weekend. When I forced myself to stay away from Willow and the girls, when all I wanted to do was spend time with them. Having Willow in my arms is the best feeling in the world. I’ve never felt that before. I’m lifted up and settled in all at once. Feelings aren’t the problem, but I’ve never had them for a woman. Not like this.

I didn’t need to hold her again. Just being around her, and Lily and Ivy, was what I wanted. But I forced myself to stay back. To give them time to deal with things. Sure, I had my team in the building notify me of absolutely everything they did. And I had a team on standby to follow them if they left the apartment. But other than that, I stayed away.

And when she sent me that picture last night, sharing their happiness with me? I folded. I told myself I had spent enough time away, and that would end the next day. I already had the perfect excuse lined up.

Claiming work as the reason is an easy go-to. I know it means a lot to Willow, and she won’t see the ulterior motive until it’s too obvious.

“Of course.” She nods as she switches off her mother duties and focuses on her other side—the numbers girl. I enjoy both, but my favorite part is her third side. When her focus is on me and nothing else.

My phone buzzes again, a text this time from Tommy: Stop ignoring the don.

I pocket the phone and look back at her.

“How was your weekend?” I ask once she’s settled in the car and Marco pulls out into traffic. I doubt the talk of work will take more than an hour or two, and I prefer to put it off for a bit longer. I’m soaking in her scent for as long as I can.

“It was fantastic. The girls and I had an amazing time at the spa, which I know you saw.”

“Yes.” I laugh as I stretch out my legs in front of me. “The picture spoke a thousand words.”

“I had no clue your building offered so many amenities.” Her eyes dart to mine and hold.

She’s challenging me, and I won’t tell her the truth. No matter how pretty her smile is or how much I enjoy her honey-blonde hair piled high in an elegant parted bun that somehow makes her look young and carefree.

My secrets are my own, and while she might suspect that I paid for her girls’ day, I will never admit that it was actually Marco who made it happen. Yes, I might have added a few details, like the robes and the lunch package, but Marco put their names on the books should they ever need a service that weekend. I think he felt guilty that his anger over what happened to Lily got the best of him, and despite wanting to make the PE teacher suffer for days, if not weeks, the man died after only a few hours of torture.

I also made sure they have standing appointments available anytime they choose to use the spa going forward.

“Hmmm” is all I say as I look ahead, but my entire focus is on her. I see the way her eyes shine a second before she blinks away any tears that might fall. I also note her soft smile.

“Thank you,” she whispers a second before I slide my hand over hers and hold it between us. Neither of us talks the rest of the way, and neither pulls their hand away.

This moment is exactly what I need to start my week. I feel like I missed out on so much with them, but this is enough to curb any wayward thoughts that they might not need or want me in their lives.

Her suspicions about my family made me a bit fearful. But this leads me to believe I have nothing to fear. Which gives me hope about what it could mean for us, and for our future.