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“Of course,” she says.
“And Lucinda?” I say. “Thank you, for trying to stop me from firing Amelia. You were right, and I was wrong. I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
There’s quiet on the other end of the line. And then she says, “Understood.” It isn’t much, but her voice is warmer than it’s been all week, and that’s how I know I’m forgiven.
I hang up the phone and stare out the window at the city flashing by, trying my best not to think about Amelia.
I stepoff the elevator into the Ashford Marketing offices. It’s after 5:00 p.m. on a Friday. Most people have left, either to enjoy their weekend or to work from home on their laptops. My dad and I have made this office a miserable place to be all week. I don’t blame anyone for leaving as soon as they possibly can.
I head to my office. Bridget’s chatting with Lucinda outside my door. Kiera’s walking her stuffed dinosaur along the edge of Lucinda’s desk.
Kiera notices me, and skips over to hug me, arms spread wide.
I don’t deserve her.
I crouch down on one knee and crush her to me. Maybe if I just focus on Kiera, I won’t feel the pain of everything else so much.
“Where’s Amelia?” Kiera asks.
I flinch.
Kiera wiggles out of my arms and looks at my face. “What’s wrong, Daddy?”
I force a smile and stand. “Nothing. I’m just happy to see you.”
Kiera accepts that and goes back to playing with her dinosaur.
Bridget and Lucinda look noticeably less convinced.
“I take it your conversation didn’t go as hoped,” Lucinda says quietly.
I give a harsh laugh. “No. I...No. I apologized but...” I keep my voice dry and unemotional. “She said I wasn’t what she needed at this point in her life. It’s done.”
Bridget frowns. “At this point in her life? What does that mean?”
Lucinda coughs quietly. “Cole, if I could talk to you privately in your office?”
“Oh, just say it.” I flop down onto the couch across from Lucinda’s desk. “Bridget and Kiera already know Amelia and I weren’t...real.”
I think of Amelia’s face, right before she closed the door on me.I need something real now.
God, I’m an idiot. I had a woman like Amelia, and I fucked it all up because I was so focused on beating my dad.
Lucinda raises her eyebrows. “Are you sure?”
I wave for her to go ahead.
“Amelia’s pregnant. She found out the morning before the board meeting.”
“WHAT?” I shoot to my feet. “She can’t be. We...I mean she could but...” My heart’s doing funny, painful things.
I’m going to have another child, with Amelia.
I feel a stunned, breathless smile spread across my face. “Really?”
“Does that mean I’m going to have a sister?!” Kiera asks, jumping up and down.
“Maybe,” Bridget says. She throws me a look. “It sounds like your dad has to have an important conversation with his friend Amelia.”
