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Her lips parted, and I took in the pink tinge on her cheeks and the tip of her nose.
Not giving her a chance to respond, I said, “Listen, I don’t know if you have any plans right now, but I’d really like the chance to talk to you and clear the air. But it’s cold out, and I need to get Rhys home for his nap. Would you mind following me back to my place?”
“Oh, Banks, I don’t want to intrude on your?—”
“You won’t be intruding,” I insisted. “Please. Please come back to my house, so we can talk.”
Lamise considered my request for all of a few seconds. Then, with a slight nod, she agreed, “Okay. I’ll meet you back at your place.”
Until she confirmed she’d join me, I hadn’t realized just how much tension I was holding on to. My grip on Rhys had grown firmer than necessary, so I loosened my hold, offered her a nod, and said, “Thank you.”
She threw her thumb over her shoulder and said, “I’m down at the end of the block.”
“We’re across the street,” I noted.
Her neck twisted, so she could look that way and locate my vehicle. Once she did, she said, “Okay, well, I guess I’ll see the two of you in a few minutes then.”
Nodding, I confirmed, “Yes, you will.”
The two of us stood there for several awkward moments, neither one of us seeming to want to walk away first. I didn’t know what it was, but I couldn’t begin to tear my eyes away from her. It was almost as though I was back in the Harper Security Ops office, seeing her for the first time.
Only, this time wasn’t the first time. I’d seen herseveral times, held her in my arms, and if I wasn’t mistaken, broken her heart.
Fuck, I was the biggest kind of asshole.
Lamise was the first one to break the connection between our gazes. She turned and started walking down the sidewalk away from Rhys and me to get to her car. I could admit that if it hadn’t been for the fact I needed to get Rhys out of the cold, I might have stood there a lot longer, watching her as she walked. It was possible I might have even escorted her there.
But I did have Rhys with me, so I only watched her for the first few seconds before I turned with my son and crossed the street.
Throughout the entire drive back to my house, I tried to come up with the right words to say. Obviously, I knew I needed to apologize to Lamise. Above all else, I wanted her to know just how sorry I was for how I reacted yesterday and the way I not only allowed her to leave yesterday, but also how I essentially kicked her out.
That alone was enough to have me feeling like I had quite the mountain to climb. But I knew it wasn’t even close to it.
Because I needed to tell her the truth. I needed to tell her about Violet, because not setting things straight wasn’t an option.
But I wasn’t sure I could recount it. I didn’t know how I’d get through that without breaking down, and I worried how Lamise might react to it.
Long before I had come up with the perfect speech, we had pulled up outside my house. As I was getting Rhys, who had fallen asleep, out of the car, Lamise arrived.
I waited for her to get out and walk up to me before leading us to the front door.Once we were inside, and I’dclosed the door behind us, I turned to her and said, “I’m just going to get him settled in his crib. Can you give me a few minutes, please?”
Her eyes were on Rhys, and her features softened. “Of course.”
“Make yourself comfortable,” I urged her. “I’ll be right back.”
She dipped her chin in response.
Just as I said it would, it took me a few minutes to get Rhys settled in his crib. The moment I entered the family room again and saw Lamise sitting on the couch, a tentative look on her face, I apologized, “Sorry about that. We’ve had a busy day, and he’s wiped out.”
“It’s okay. I don’t have anywhere to be.”
With her confirmation of that, I found myself relaxing even further. The truth was, I had been concerned about whether she’d have plans with her fiancé and would need to leave quickly. I’d seen the engagement ring on her finger, and I realized it was possible they had plans for this weekend. But I didn’t exactly think this conversation was one that should be rushed, so it was a relief to know she had some time.
Before I sat down, I asked, “Is there anything I can get you? Something to drink?”
Lamise shook her head. “No, Banks. I’m fine. Thank you.”
That was it.
