Chapter 17
Now she knew why Shomari’s moods ping-ponged like crazy.
From where she sat watching him talking to the mother of his child, she understood perfectly.
The woman was all attitude. No consideration or tenderness for the man who fathered her child, which was another issue because it didn’t take a rocket scientist to realize Natanya was a cutout of the man Christy was with in the park.
She resembled her mother, but it was clear the man was her biological father.
The gut-punch would have made her upchuck lunch, except for the fact that it wasn’t her business. She’d watched Shomari’s profile while he catalogued what was obvious. He’d put a hand to his head, excused himself to talk to the couple, and then returned to her.
Their date was over, just when it had been going so well. She didn’t believe in coincidences, but she’d have thought Kingston was big enough that two exes wouldn’t wind up in the same place at the same time.
As she’d known he would, Shomari had shut down. Other than receiving monosyllabic answers, talking to him was like communicating with the dead. He had nothing to give. The issue that concerned her most on this Monday morning was how he’d manage the children in his state.
She looked up at the clock. Seven-thirty, and he hadn’t popped in to talk with her.
Emily had been in, chatted with her about how the weekend went, and left to welcome the children.
Rising from the desk, Lizette lowered the laptop’s cover, then headed for the front office. She was just in time to meet Anissa, who gave her a peach hibiscus bloom, which she stuck in her hair.
The little girl’s mother gave a thumbs-up sign as Lizette guided her to the main activity area, where several children crowded around a low table, kneading Play-Doh. One of the attendants watched to ensure none of them put the putty anywhere they shouldn’t.
Lizette didn’t see Shomari immediately, which left the classrooms, the lunch room, and the lab. She went straight to where he’d most likely be.
He was perched at the corner of the large desk she’d moved into the lab, leafing through a book, but didn’t look up when she entered the room.
“Shomari?”
Facing her, he said, “Hey. Everything good?”
She hid her shock as one word crossed her mind, which she and the twins laughed at whenever her mother used it.
Dreadful. He looked dreadful, as if he hadn’t slept in a week.
The dark circles under his eyes and their bloodshot condition were evidence of the rest he clearly had not gotten since they parted ways on Saturday.
She didn’t respond to his greeting, but released the sigh that had been building since she rose that morning. It was clear that getting anything out of him would be an uphill slog. When his expression didn’t change, she said, “I’m fine, but what about you?”
A lopsided smile crossed his face. “I’m coping, and betting that by now you think I’m an idiot.”
Arms folded, she asked, “Why would I think that?”
He shrugged while a flush darkened his skin. “It’s kinda obvious what went down. Only a fool, right?”
Shaking her head, she took a couple of steps that brought her close enough to smell his citrusy cologne. “That’s not all I witnessed. I see a man who’s a victim of circumstances. It could happen to anyone. You weren’t living here, remember?”
Slowly, he nodded. “Yeah. That’s about the size of things.”
“Are you okay to be at work today?”
This time, his smile was genuine. “What? And have Luca send out a search party to find me if I’m not here for his lesson?”
She couldn’t help chuckling in response. “You know that’s true.”
As their smiles faded, Shomari laid aside the book he’d been going through and stood. He didn’t meet her eyes when he said, “Guess I'd better get ready for these kids.”
His words were what she expected, but she also understood he’d put up a barrier.
Without telling her directly, Shomari was asking her to leave.
She stepped back, offended until she reminded herself that she had no idea what he was going through.
Not really. Taking a hit to his pockets was one thing.
Finding out he wasn’t Natanya’s father had to hurt—perhaps like nothing that had happened in his life before that revelation.
She inhaled, exhaled, then nodded. Her heart ached for him, but this situation wasn’t about her or her feelings.
“Talk to you later,” she said on the way to the door.
“Yeah.”
Shomari’s response was so soft, it could have been nonexistent. She glanced at him over her shoulder. He stood by the window with both hands in his pockets, and his shoulders slumped.
When she was halfway through the door, he called her name and crossed the room with one hand held out. “Here.”
On his palm lay the thumb drive he’d used to save her files on Friday after insisting he’d work on the proposal over the weekend.
She studied him, unsure what this gesture meant.
“It should be almost complete.” His head was lowered, as though every bit of vitality had left him and sucked away his personality as well. The man had given up on everything, including them.
Stiffening her spine, she swallowed the knot in her throat. “Thanks.”
His eyes were deep pools of anguish, which clashed with the cheerful piped Christmas music and the children’s excited chatter that filtered to them.
She went to her desk, feeling as if she’d left an important piece of herself with him. But she couldn’t do anything for Shomari if he wouldn’t let her.
The project wouldn’t finish itself, so she opened the file on the thumb drive. She scanned through, focused on the improvements Shomari had made. Aside from replying to her text to confirm he was fine, they hadn’t communicated on the weekend.
She hired an accountant to prepare the financials, which were almost ready.
With Shomari’s help, Lizette was confident she’d be able to submit her proposal to the Ministry employee assigned to help her make the Wintertime Preparatory School a reality.
At times, she’d fought off feelings of inadequacy for not being able to complete the proposal on her own and within the timeframe she’d set.
Shomari had teased her about laying down her Superwoman cape and learning to accept help, especially where her skill sets ended, and his began. He had a valid point, but now that the situation had turned around, he’d put himself out of reach.
She whispered the chosen name for her school and ran her finger across the screen.
A week ago, Lizette doubted she’d be ready without Ms. Whorms’ help, but it seemed the opposite was now the case.
The presentation was complete, except for the final touches she would add.
If Shomari had told her that he’d spent his entire Sunday working on the document, she wouldn’t be surprised.
Tears burned her eyes, and she wanted to rush to the lab and express her appreciation, but he was in class, and it wouldn’t be appropriate.
In the middle of what had to be the lowest point in his life, Shomari ensured he took care of her business.
Yes, he might have done it to take his mind off his misery, but she was beyond impressed, not to mention grateful.
He was an uncommon man, and some time, she’d tell him so. That’s if she could get through to him.