6. Elodie #2
“Because someone needs to say it out loud, the obvious question everyone is wondering. Most of all, you, and that is you and Hayes, Hayes and you.”
Shaking my head, I crack a smile because her annoyance is warranted.
Admittedly too, the mere picture in my mind of that scenario isn't a negative thought. I glance at my phone, which is lying on the table on silent, noticing the screen flash as a message from Hayes appears. We’ve had contact about Lola over the last few days, but not much else.
Hayes
These are the kind of updates that daycare sends?
I snort when he forwards a screenshot from the app showing Lola’s day at daycare: naps, food, playtime, activities, and photos. Today’s update wasn’t exactly spellbinding—songs at 9am, apple and crackers for a morning snack, a quick 11am nap.
Me
Yep. Also, how many diaper changes, too.
I’m surprised to see the dots moving in our chat. I thought he would be in a meeting. His schedule is filled to the brim.
Hayes
Riveting. Are you okay if my assistant contacts you about ordering some items?
PAs at our company sign NDAs, and whatever is going on in Hayes’s life, she probably already knows. But still, me having to handle her?
***
Hayes
She can help me arrange things while I'm in meetings. It's for Lola’s room at my place.
My stomach sinks. We haven’t gone into every detail yet. I feel like I’m always scrambling to catch up, but he’s always twelve steps ahead. I can see what's on the list of establishing a co-parenting relationship, but it’s like he moves at record speed, barely giving me a moment to brace myself.
Oh. I mean, we can talk about that.
I don’t even get a chance to finish writing because another message comes in.
A unicorn rug? And she needs a crib that will become a bed soon, right? I’ll get pool toys and floaties so we can go swimming. I would love to teach her to swim.
He types so quickly. I can’t help but smile. A few days ago, this would have unsettled me. But now, even though I’m still jittery, I know him a little bit better and the way he reacts. No matter his mood, he's sincere. I’m also truly happy for Lola, even if she doesn't know yet.
Regardless, I finish writing my original message.
Right. You’re really thinking about this. We can talk about it next time we meet.
Sure. But my assistant will be in touch if that's okay with you. Need to kid-proof my new place, too.
Okay.
“Earth to Elodie.” Savannah waves her hand in front of my face, snapping her fingers until I blink and focus on her again. “Whoa, you just exited Earth’s orbit and took a trip around space. Was that Hayes lighting up your phone?”
What is happening to me? Heat rushes to my cheeks, giddiness bubbling up. Am I really charmed by him asking how to make things work for Lola at his place? It’s adorable—if only he didn’t rush everything like we’re sprinting through life.
My friend looks at me with a wry smile. “It must have crossed your mind a million times what it would be like if you crossed paths with him again, and now you have. Thank your lucky stars that it’s a guy who is invested, easy on the eyes, and probably might push your buttons.
I get it. You don’t want to do anything to jeopardize Lola, but if you ever had a connection with Hayes, then you shouldn’t ignore it, either. ”
Picking up a pickle and turning it over in my hand with no intention of eating it, I bite back the urge to blurt out that she’s right. Instead, I say, “I’ll think about it, okay?”
She grins. “Great. We need to go for drinks soon. De-stress you a little.”
“I could use an espresso martini,” I admit.
“It’s settled then.”
When my phone lights up again, I’m a little disappointed that it isn’t Hayes. Instead, it’s an email from Hayes’s lawyer. With one read of the opening line, my entire mood drops.
Holding my phone out to Savannah, screen facing her, tension coils in my jaw. I can't let my guard slip, not even for a second. "See?"
I hate the shape of a circle.
Because that’s what is happening in my life right now.
Hayes closes the back door of the dark, expensive car, only for me to rush and open it.
“Oh no, you don’t,” I say and slide into the back with him, slamming the door behind me.
He scoots to the next seat, eyes squinting in surprise as I hijack his ride. I didn’t want to wait, and his schedule made this my only chance to see him today.
“What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.” I’m back to my hard-as-nails tone because I have no fuzzy feelings right now.
“Sir, this is a loading zone only. We have to move,” the driver in the front calls out.
With my eyes arrowing straight into Hayes’s, he doesn’t give the man a glimpse because Hayes grasps my adamancy. “It’s fine. Circle the block or something.”
As the car begins to move, my nostrils flare. I want to be angry, but the feeling won’t come. Why can’t I just let myself be furious? I grip the seat, waiting for the anger, but it just fizzles. Probably because I'm aware the calm-and-collected approach is best.
“Where’s Lola?”
“Savannah picked her up and is bringing her home. I asked your assistant where you’d be, and she mentioned you had business drinks to attend.”
His face remains stoic, as though he won’t falter from whatever I throw his way. “To what do I owe the pleasure then?” Something sizzles behind that sentence, the lift of his mouth too devious.
“I still received the papers from your lawyer. And no, it isn’t just the correction of the birth certificate.”
He sighs and looks away. “It’s nothing big—just papers for Lola’s trust and a co-parenting outline. We don't need to sign now, just something to consider. The trust isn’t about custody. It ensures she can go to college and have financial stability. It’s fair.”
Crossing my arms, I debate with myself whether I’m satisfied with his answer. “Other than the birth certificate, can’t we just leave any documents out of the equation at this moment? Even if they are just to review? I thought we were on the same page about that.”
Hayes drags his hand across his jaw, and I notice the stubble after a long day of work. It’s sexy and tempting to touch. But I need to think straight right now.
Without warning, I slide across the back and straight into Hayes as the car takes a sharp corner.
Neither one of us bothered with seatbelts because we were stuck in our standoff.
I touch his arm to brace myself, and the combination of his smell and the firmness of his arm begins to play tricks on me, especially when we’re flush together, and he peers down at me.
Our breaths meet in the small distance between us, it would only take a small tip of my chin for our mouths to meet.
A shot of electricity threatens me again, we can’t avoid it.
“I agree until I don’t,” he whispers.
I yank myself back. This man melts my guard, but I won’t forget why I need it. My composure wobbles, just for a second.
“Don’t threaten me, Hayes.”
He grabs my wrist and tugs, a reassuring smirk curling on his mouth.
"I’m not. We're going to have to learn to make concessions with each other.
You got the documents because I asked my lawyer before we spoke at lunch on Monday.
I figured that it could still be good to read them.
I hope we can work it out on our own, but if things go south, then yeah, I have rights too. "
"That explanation didn't end so well.”
He flexes his jaw as he replays the words in his head. "I'm keeping my word on what we agreed. I'm sorry if it came across a little… brash,” he apologizes sincerely.
I study his face, searching for anything dishonest. “You mean it? No more lawyer games for now?” My hope is fragile, but I want to believe him.
His thumb circles along my wrist; it’s soothing and far too delicate and sensitive for my body. “Promise.”
"Good. I don't want us to yo-yo back and forth about everything. Nor do you want to wear down my patience. I'm also going to hold you accountable and call you out when you’re being an ass.” I raise my brows with my gentle warning.
The corner of his lips lift. “I'm getting that gist.”
Lifting my chin, I give him one last appraisal to confirm that I feel confident with his answer. “We were going smoothly again. From this moment forward, no more surprises to set us back,” I confirm.
“Agreed.”
“Okay.”
Silence finds us, but our eyes remain locked.
He grins, smoothly shifting topics. “Come for dinner Saturday? You and Lola?”
Gosh, the man has smolder. It’s hypnotizing, and right now it’s directed at me. I need to wrap my head around demanding-Hayes who quickly turns tender when it involves Lola, but it also feels like his request isn't just for her.
I stare at him, stuck in his magic. Then it hits me—we have steps to take. “Okay,” I croak.
“Are you going to keep saying okay? I can add that you both can stay over.” Now he’s just being cheeky.
I point at him. “Hold it together, Hayes.”
He places his hand on his heart. “I am. It’s an innocent invite. You can check Lola’s room, and there’s a guest room if you want it.”
Now he’s just flirting.
“I need to get out of here before this conversation goes south again.”
Somehow, that doesn’t really stop the innuendo.
He continues to smirk, his tongue sliding along the inside of his cheek before he leans toward the front. “You can return to the office,” he tells the driver.
“Please,” I add, flippant.
It's a short drive, and at the end, that man’s eyes meet mine, and I leave this world. He must know that.
I exit the car, and I don’t look back.
But I feel his heavy eyes on me.
And now I’m wondering what the weekend will bring.