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“Are you sure everything is okay? I wouldn’t normally be asking, but Alexandra’s visit also caught me by surprise.”
Meredith is the closest thing I have to a mother. She’s been with me for years and knows exactly how I run my business. I’m not the easiest person to get along with, but she tolerates my bullshit and always gets the job done.
“I have a son,” I mutter under my breath.
“I’m sorry. Did you say you have a son?”
I nod, still in disbelief. Meredith’s gaze falls to the ground as she takes in the news. My hands move to my face as I rub it, trying to gain some sort of control right now.
“I’m not sure what to say,” Meredith stammers. “She looked different, tired if anything, but never would I have thought she had a child. No one said anything, and the Edwards family is usually in the spotlight.”
“I don’t know. I assume Lex chose to keep it under wraps, especially if he knows I’m the father,” I say faintly. “God, this is. I have no words.”
“Let me leave you to think,” Meredith suggests. “I’ll end the meeting and cancel your afternoon schedule should you wish to go home.”
“Please, and thank you.”
Staying in the office is no longer an option. I pace behind my desk too many times, desperate for a drink or something to take the edge off. When I can’t take it any longer, I drive home and welcome the solitude.
With a drink in hand, I think long and hard about Kathy's situation. The miracle I asked for has landed in my lap. I have a child. It’s just not to my wife. This complicates things even more.
I don’t stop at one drink, almost finishing the bottle when I text Alexandra. The only way I was able to get her new number was through Meredith. I’m not sure how she got it, but as I said, she always delivers.
The text is straightforward, even though it takes me several attempts to write it. She simply responds with a thumbs up. How fucking infuriating.
I drink the remnants of the bottle, then pass out on the lounge.
My days were busy with meetings and a day trip to Phoenix. While the days were distracted with work, the nights were hard once alone. Sleep is non-existent, certain I’m suffering from insomnia.
Then Friday rolls around. I half-expected Alexandra to text me with an excuse, but the only text I got was that she was running late.
When the door buzzes, it’s an hour after our agreed time. With sweaty palms, I quickly walk over to the door to open it.
Alexandra is standing in the corridor with a baby carrier in hand. I observe her tired expression, but more so her red eyes, almost as if she’s been crying. I stop myself from reaching out and wanting to caress her cheek, just to reassure her it’s safe to be here. If, in fact, she is worrying about being alone in my presence.
“Come in, please.”
Usually, I’m quick to reprimand anyone who is late in my presence, but given how worn down she looks, I choose to keep it to myself.
“Sorry, I’m late,” she mentions softly. “There was a last-minute thing that popped up, and this little guy began fussing, so it took me forever to leave.”
I motion for her to take a seat. “It’s fine, Alexandra.”
She sits down, glancing around the room. The last time she was sitting on this sofa, her legs were spread in the air, and I ate a feast.
Fuck, don’t even go there.
“So, the place hasn’t changed much?”
“No, it hasn’t.”
A heavy sigh escapes her. “Look, this is really hard for me. I’m sorry, but I have no idea what I’m supposed to do here.”
“How about you introduce me to our son?”
The moment the words leave my mouth, I see her body stiffen. Almost as if I’ve struck a nerve calling him ours.
“Yes, of course.”
