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His deep tenor stopped my stride. My voice was stolen.
He faced ahead, toward the fireplace as he declared, “You have until April third of next year to be mine.”
I swallowed involuntarily, my lungs strained and irritated. “And if I…”
With unwavering confidence, Tobias returned, “I’ll leave it to you to get used to the idea.”
After a spell, I let myself out, not stopping until I made it to my rental. I managed my things inside then slipped behind the wheel and charged the engine. That’s when I felt lightheaded and let out a breath I had no idea I’d been holding. I collapsed over the steering wheel, not expecting the upending bellow shooting from my belly. My body quivered violently, juddering the car. The pain I felt I imagined was equivalent to having your heart ripped from your chest.
I reached back into the car for my purse and coffee. After locking the doors, I started toward the hotel’s entrance. My head was toward the cemented ground as I dragged my heavy heart behind me. So many thoughts coursed my brain, countless scenarios. However, there was one over-riding declaration: I would not put myself in this situation again.
“Lennox?”
My head shot up. I couldn’t believe I’d made it to the entrance already, and that Mya was standing just outside the lobby’s door, holding two coffee cups.
“Girl,” she sighed, head tossed back. Then she chuckled. “I thought I’d missed you.”
“Why?” was all I could ask in my stupor.
Her expression dropped. “Are you okay?” Mya stepped closer. The traffic from the street played the soundtrack, reminding me of just how metropolitan the city was. “Your face is swollen.”
“I’m fine.” I managed a smile. It would have been nice to vomit all the shit I was carrying—had been carrying—right then and there, but over the years, I managed to deal with it all internally. “Just a little nostalgia episode before heading home.”
“Oh.” Mya seemed stuck.
My brain kicked into gear. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh!” this one delivered as a chirp. “I knew your flight out was this morning. I tried calling you all night and this morning.”
Shit…
My phone had been powered off virtually since getting out of the shower last night. I powered it on twice to check a few things, but then I went off the grid again.
Then my senses kicked in again. “For what?” I’d said my goodbyes to the girls when I left them yesterday.
Mya’s eyes circled before her words leaked. “Iuhh—I was going to make sure you were good before leaving.”
“You were calling for that?”
“Yea—no.” She sighed, rolling her eyes. “I just… You know, you’re so closed off. I just wanted to check in with you alone. Without the girls. Then I freaked out when you didn’t pick up or text me back last night or this morning. So…” Her eyes settled on one of her hands. She brought one of the coffee cups toward me. “I knew you’d start your day with your favorite java.”
I lifted the coffee mercifully in my hand. “I just came from picking up myBrown Barista.”
“Oh! I must’ve just missed you. The place was packed. That’s why I try avoiding the one over here.” I nodded, trying to figure out why Mya was here. “So, are you packed? I see you’re up and at ‘em already.”
“Almost. Do you want to come up while I finish?”
Please say no…
I wasn’t in the mood for company, much less one of Mya’s probing nature.
“Ummmm…” She poked her lips out. “Sure.”
I managed a giggle as I rounded her for the door of the building. “Come on. I’ve gotta get to the airport.”
ChapterSix
“I can’t wait to get into my bed,” Scott mumbled as we drove into our neighborhood.
