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“No,” I tell her softly. “It’s okay. We were just talking.”
With a quick side glance, I plead with my eyes for Austin to understand why I just hid the truth.
“I should probably leave you guys…”
“Millie, no. You’re upset. What happened?”
Austin clears his throat. “Listen, I’ll leave you two to talk. Besides, I have an early shift tomorrow.”
We keep our distance, despite our earlier admission of our feelings for one another.
“Millie?” Austin calls softly while standing at the door. “He’s angry. I remember once being in the same position. The difference is, he will calm down and apologize because he can’t bear the thought of losing you.”
Tears shimmer in Millie’s eyes. “I’m sorry for what happened at the Hamptons. It was wrong of me to treat you that way.”
“Life has a way of working out. But for now, maybe a little bit of breathing space will clear your mind.”
And with his final words, he glances up at me with a knowing look, then closes the door behind him.
“When did Austin become the rational one?” Millie says the moment he leaves.
I chuckle softly. “Austin has always been the rational one. Will, on the other hand—”
“Is a giant dickhead,” Millie finishes off.
“No argument from me right now, but what happened? I mean, after I left.”
Millie moves toward the sofa, throwing herself on it with a frustrated huff.
“It’s just been so tense between us,” she admits, hugging the navy velvet cushion against her chest. “Ashton is a handful, which Mom says is normal for a two-year-old, but it feels like I’m the only one worrying. Of course, Ashton always wants to be by my side. So I’m constantly asking Will to help, but his work is more important than mine.”
Millie takes a deep breath, then continues, “Mom said when she and Dad had me, they went through the exact same thing. It’s just learning how to sustain a marriage, career, and family.”
“They made it work, that’s for sure.”
“Yeah, I know. Although last week Mom absolutely blasted Dad for having to leave town.”
“Really?” I raise my brows. “I didn’t think they got caught
up in arguments like that anymore.”
“Aunt Adriana told me it was because some young woman has been trying to hit on Dad at these conventions. Dad laughed it off as a joke and teased Mom about being jealous. Then Mom lost her shit.”
I struggle to hold back my smile. “It’s kind of relieving to know we’re not the only dramatic ones. But back to you and Will.”
“He’s been short-fused. So, naturally, I’m like, if you want to act like that, I’m not having sex with you. I deserve respect, and frankly, his asshole behavior won’t slide with me.”
I purse my lips, knowing that’s probably what has contributed to Will’s angered behavior.
“Just like Austin said, Will is hurting and will come around to realize he’s hurting you.”
Millie bites her bottom lip while lowering her gaze. “He said things tonight which really hurt. First, he accused me of supporting you because he thinks I want to get back together with Austin.”
Falling silent, I’m unsure what to say, mainly because my feelings involving Austin still feel new. Given their past, it doesn’t seem appropriate to comment.
“You know what?” I tell her, then grab my phone to scroll through my apps. “I’m ordering us food. Pizza, Chinese, and those amazing donuts from that place near my office.”
The corners of Millie’s lips curve upward. “You sure know how to cheer me up.”
